On September 8, residents of Sapareva Banya Municipality, guests and tourists, filled the "Geyser" Amphitheater for the closing evening of the Sapareva Banya 2025 Municipal Celebrations.

The rich program of cultural and sporting events, which lasted four days and was dedicated to the 51st anniversary of the town, concluded with lots of folklore performances and an exciting concert by Hristo Paskalev–Paskal.

Honored guests at the event were H. E. Mr. Emil Jacotǎ, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Moldova to the Republic of Bulgaria, H. E. Ms. Lkhagvasuren Sayanaa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Bulgaria and H. E. Mr. Vasil Grivna, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to the Republic of Bulgaria. Also present were Mrs. Viorica Prodan, Second Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova; Mrs. Baigalmaa Dorj, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Mongolia; Mrs. Andrea Vavrikova, Second Secretary at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic; and others. They were welcomed by Mr. Kalin Gelev, Mayor of Sapareva Banya Municipality, Mr. Kostadin Nikolov, Chair of the Municipal Council, Mrs. Mihaela Dineva, Deputy Mayor and Mrs. Daniela Kyoseva, Municipal Secretary.

The stage of the "Geyser" Amphitheater is located next to the hottest geyser-fountain in continental Europe, with mineral water gushing at a temperature of 103 °C. It is no coincidence that this geyser is the town’s emblem. Against its backdrop and with the magnificent view of the Rila Mountains, the closing evening unfolded. The host, Mrs. Teodora Tsvetanova, first welcomed the guests and then introduced, one by one, the participants in the rich folklore program of the local community centers, whose dance and vocal ensembles are renowned across the country.

The audience enjoyed performances by FTA "Rila", artistic director Mr. Kiril Ambarkov, Orchestra and Trio "103 Degrees," artistic director Mr. Ivan Nachov, Folklore Group "Germaneia," artistic director Mrs. Stoyka Kostova. The evening also saw the debut of young talent Radostin Kosovski, just ten years old, from the community center "Ot Izvora 2013," with director Ivan Naumov, who performed a solo on the bagpipe. The vocal group from the same community center, led by Gyulka Pehlivanska, presented local folk songs. The "Gornopolska Pesen" Ensemble from the community center "Probuda" in Ovchartsi also delighted the audience with authentic folklore.

The highlight of the evening was the concert-spectacle of the pop singer Hristo Paskalev–Paskal.

For the wonderful audience gathered at the foot of the majestic Rila Mountains, he sang some of his most beautiful Bulgarian songs: "Father’s Land," "My Beloved," "Anna," "Sweet as Chocolate," and "What More Does a Person Need." He also performed iconic hits from the Balkans and Europe: "Baila Morena," medleys of Joe Dassin songs, "Amore Mio," "Epimeno," "Verujem o Ljuba." He shared that if we want to live in this world in peace and harmony we should sing its most moving songs together.

Adding special charm and beauty to the concert were the children of the "Boot Camp" Aerobics Club, led by coach Silvia Mutavchieva. With great enthusiasm, they had prepared choreographies for nearly every song, which they presented with talent and inspiration.

The audience was moved to tears at the finale when Paskal sang the song "Bulgaria," surrounded by the wonderful children of Sapareva Banya, dressed in white, green, and red - the colours of the Bulgarian flag.

The concert-spectacle was also the first initiative marking the 10th anniversary of Diplomatic Spectrum - the only electronic magazine in Bulgaria that covers the diplomatic life in all its diversity.

Photos: Diplomatic Spectrum and Sapareva Banya Municipality

Above: Mr. Kalin Gelev, Mayor of Sapareva Banya Municipality (center); H. E. Mrs. Lkhagvasuren Sayanaa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Bulgaria; H. E. Mr. Vasil Grivna, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to Bulgaria (front right); Mrs. Ekaterina Pavlova, Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic Spectrum (front left); municipal leaders and guests.

Below: First row – moments from Hristo Paskalev–Paskal’s concert. Second row – ambassadors and guests. Third row – moments from the folklore program.