In the first day of the New Year, the start of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union was also officially given with “The Spirit of Europe” New Year’s Gala Concert in the National Palace of Culture. The Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency Mrs. Lilyana Pavlova and the Minister of Culture Boil Banov welcomed the participants and guests, after which performances of the national anthem of the Republic of Bulgaria and of the Anthem of Europe followed.

The concert included works of composers from all 28 EU Member States.

The Vice-President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Georgi Stoev presented the soloists and the orchestra with flowers and congratulations at the end of the concert.

The opening ceremony for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in Sofia will be held on 11 January 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in the “Ivan Vazov” National Theatre.