Svetlozar Zhelev to lead Burgas' artistic strategy for European Capital of Culture 2032

Literary critic, publisher, and public figure Svetlozar Zhelyazkov joins the team of the "Burgas 2032" Foundation. He will take the position of program director, undertaking the commitment to lead the artistic strategy of the city in its bid for European Capital of Culture. The news was confirmed personally by Zhelyazkov on social media, where he expressed his gratitude for the trust of Mayor Dimitar Nikolov, the director of the foundation Ruska Boyadzhieva, and Vesela Yordanova, director of the "Culture and Public Relations" Directorate at Burgas Municipality.

Svetlozar Zhelyazkov commented that he accepts the new position with great responsibility and excitement. "I believe that Burgas is a city of literature and culture, and I am convinced that it is worthy of being the European Capital of Culture in 2032. Burgas stands firmly on the shoulders of its poets, writers, musicians, and artists, and looks boldly into the future," said Zhelyazkov.

The new program director emphasized that his work for Burgas will not sever his connection with the National Palace of Culture (NDK). According to him, the two roles — in the National Book Center and in "Burgas 2032" — will complement each other in the common mission of promoting Bulgarian literature.

As the founder of the Black Sea International Literary Festival, Zhelyazkov also says that he sees Burgas as the "literary heart of the region," connecting Bulgaria with Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, and Romania under the slogan "The Black Sea speaks the language of freedom." According to him, the candidacy of Burgas is a logical continuation of the city's development as a cultural center with the most modern library in the country, dozens of successful festivals, and a rich network of galleries and museums. BTA recalls that Burgas announced the beginning of its preparations to apply for the European Capital of Culture in 2032 in January 2025. Then, with unanimity, the members of the Municipal Council voted to establish the "Burgas 2032" Foundation, which will work on the campaign for the city's selection as a cultural capital.