Sofia

The power outage in various regions of Bulgaria has led to serious concerns and protests from local residents. Many areas, including parts of the Lovech municipality, have experienced days without electricity, with some villages facing up to six days without power.

A recent study commissioned by the Bulgarian Association of Music Producers (BAMP) and conducted by the TREND Research Center in December 2024 reveals that 21% of Bulgarians now listen to music through streaming platforms. This national representative study builds on the findings from a similar survey in 2023, focusing specifically on the use of music streaming services.

Sofia Municipality, under the administration of mayor Vasil Terziev, will again opt for a light show over traditional fireworks to celebrate the New Year. This initiative is designed to protect children, pets, and people with disabilities, who are particularly sensitive to the loud noise caused by fireworks.

The search for 13-year-old Nikolay, who has been missing for 11 days from the village of Konare in Stara Zagora, continues without success. Despite large-scale efforts involving nearly 100 people, including military personnel and police, no trace of the child has been found.

Borovets, one of Bulgaria's most popular ski resorts, has been left entirely without electricity, as confirmed by a statement on the resort's official Facebook page. According to the electricity distribution company, power supply in the area is expected to be restored around 2:00 p.m. today. As a result, the ski area will remain closed until noon.

In the third quarter of 2024, housing prices in Bulgaria saw a notable rise of 16.5% compared to the same period last year, according to the National Statistical Institute. When compared to the previous quarter, the increase was slightly below 4%, with the largest price jumps occurring in Sofia and Varna, where prices surged by over 5%.

The "blue" and "green" parking zones in Sofia will not be in operation during the Christmas and New Year holidays. According to the Center for Urban Mobility, hourly paid parking will be suspended on December 24, 25, and 26, 2024, as well as on January 1, 2025.

The holiday period in Bulgaria is expected to bring substantial precipitation and a notable drop in temperatures, resulting in rain turning to snow across many regions. Snow cover is likely to form in some areas, creating challenging conditions on mountain passes.

For the upcoming holidays, 40 additional buses have been arranged by the Central Bus Station in Sofia to accommodate increased travel demand. Special measures have been implemented to ensure smooth operations, including heightened security in the area. Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) has also added extra passenger cars on the busiest routes to facilitate holiday travel.

As is well known, Greece paid a heavy price during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of dead, destruction of critical infrastructure, and incalculable material damage.