Spectacle

Kostadin Kostadinov, the leader of the "Vazrazhdane" (Revival) party, has announced his party's intention to vote against the formation of a new cabinet, citing concerns over the detrimental impact of the ongoing political spectacle on Bulgaria's democratic processes.

We usually calculate political losses in terms of percentages. The damage done by the constant delays in formally announcing the snap election, however, is not just limited to the governing party. Citizens are witnessing the revival of some of the worst practices of the old political system, a spectacle that is dragging the institution of Parliament itself through the mud.

The intensity of political confrontation in the past few days has been an unpleasant spectacle, but it has also been useful. 

It gave citizens the opportunity to see the complete lack of political civility, which does not extend even to the minimum standards of common courtesy.

It allowed us to see one of the oldest tricks in the book of demagoguery - pre-election handouts.

Four males, aged between 17 and 36, punching and kicking a 75-year-old man, who is a top city official and of fragile health (Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris recently had heart surgery). It was a despicable spectacle that played out on TV and computer screens around the world. The nationalist thugs who carried out the attack should be ashamed of themselves.

Up-and-coming New York-based Greek artist Maria Fragoudaki will be shaking things up at Athens's Syntagma Square on the evening of Thursday, April 27, with a special art happening.

If necessity is the mother of invention, eight years of a crippling recession and dwindling work prospects has compelled at least some Greeks to reboot, switch professions and innovate to survive.

A 3-D water show will be among the spectacles celebrating the Day of Varna, which is marked in the Bulgarian Black Sea capital on August 15.

The show, which is entitled "Fata Morgana - lights above the bay" will be presented at the port and will be part of the concert taking place near the new pedestrian zone next to the maritime station.