Eight metal bands with women out front will take the stage at the Summer Theatre in Burgas on 3 October — Bulgaria's first social metal festival of its kind. GODDESS METAL FEST starts at 3pm and runs until 11:30pm, and entry is free.

The idea, the line-up and the cause behind the festival were unveiled today at a press conference. Attending were Mihail Nenov, Burgas deputy mayor for education, health, social affairs and youth policy; singer and musician Tsena Koev, who is the festival's main organiser; Diyana Videva of the Demetra Association; and Rositsa Dimova, secretary of the municipal council on drugs.

The Burgas municipality is organising the festival under the slogan "Silence kills. A voice saves." The line-up features all-female bands or bands fronted by women — Alterium, Tsena Koev, Ani Lo. Projekt, SEVI, The A.X.E Project, Bendida, Freija and Princess Vlad.

"This is the first social metal festival of its kind. It aims to raise awareness of violence and support the Demetra Association, which helps victims of violence and human trafficking. The bands are either all-female or fronted by women, and that sends a strong message backing the cause," deputy mayor Mihail Nenov said.

The festival's organiser, Tsena Koev, fronts her own international metal band and will also perform on 3 October. She explained why the organisers chose rock and metal for the cause.

"We have a lot in common with this cause. We back it with rock and metal because this music breaks with the status quo. We want to inspire women facing this problem to know where to turn, to seek out crisis centres and helplines. In most cases they don't know who to ask for help. I've never been a victim of domestic violence myself, but every such case cuts into my heart like a knife. With this festival we want to connect these women with the people who can help them," Koev said.

Money and attention raised by the festival will support the work of Demetra's centres for victims of violence, which offer specialist help, protection and a chance at a fresh start for people who have suffered abuse.

Diyana Videva, who heads the Demetra Association, explained why the event matters to the organisation.

"It means a great deal to us that, for the first time, culture and the movement to support victims of violence are coming together. This is an event aimed at preventing violence in all its forms. It will let our voice be heard through music," Dr Videva said.

The festival's media partner is Z-Rock radio, and its ambassador is journalist and music expert Elena Rozberg.

The organisers chose music as a way to speak openly about domestic violence, hoping the message will reach more people. Their aim is to remind people that staying silent does not solve the problem.

The Burgas municipality is inviting residents and visitors to join an event that uses music to speak about one of the toughest issues facing our society.