Saturday, August 2, 2025
Bulgarian Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh on August 1 awarded the winners of an art competition for poster design, promoting year-round tourist destination Bulgaria. The competition, first announced in May, has received various creative pieces and aims at presenting Bulgaria through the eyes of many artists and showcasing Bulgaria’s many tourist potential throughout the year.
Fostering Creative Communities and Cultural Development
Speaking at the award ceremony on July 31, Borshosh explained that the purpose of the competition was not only to promote Bulgaria but also to support the development of the country’s living culture. He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for professional development within creative communities, creating new jobs, and celebrating the artistic expression of Bulgaria’s tourism landscape.
With 144 submissions from artists across 11 countries, the competition successfully generated diverse interpretations of Bulgaria’s attractions, highlighting the country’s natural beauty, rich history, and cultural heritage. Borshosh expressed satisfaction with the results, noting that each of the submitted posters revealed a unique and inspiring perspective of Bulgarian tourism.
Award Winners and Prizes
The competition featured a prize fund of 10,000 euros, with a cash prize of 2,000 euros awarded to the top three winners. Strahil Dimitrov was recognized for his series of three posters, while Lyuba Haleva won for two posters, and Nasko Atanasov received the award for one poster. Their works will serve as the cornerstone for future communication campaigns promoting Bulgaria as a top travel destination.
In addition to the main prizes, eight consolation prizes of 500 euros were awarded to various participants, including Radoslava Boor (Bulgaria/Czechia), along with other artists from Bulgaria, China, and Poland. The Tourism Ministry’s initiative to host the poster competition underscores Bulgaria’s commitment to expanding its tourism sector and enhancing its cultural image globally. By opening the competition to international artists, the country aimed to gather fresh, diverse perspectives that would resonate with a wide range of global audiences. With submissions from countries like China, Poland, and Bulgaria, the competition provided a platform for both established and emerging artists to showcase their talents, while aligning with the broader goal of promoting tourism through creative expression.
Impact on Bulgaria’s Tourism Promotion
The posters created by the competition’s participants will play an essential role in future tourism campaigns for Bulgaria. The winning designs and those selected for exhibition will be displayed at various events, galleries, diplomatic missions, tourist offices, airports, and online platforms. The Tourism Ministry intends to use these visual artworks to promote Bulgaria as a vibrant and dynamic destination for tourists, appealing to travelers seeking experiences throughout the year.
In addition to their exhibition at international venues, the posters will be featured in communication campaigns and will help increase Bulgaria’s visibility as a prime destination for cultural, adventure, and leisure tourism. The competition thus not only contributes to Bulgaria’s tourism sector but also strengthens the country’s global cultural presence. The posters selected will form the visual backbone of Bulgaria’s international promotional campaigns, strengthening the country’s position as a dynamic, year-round destination. These efforts further solidify Bulgaria’s status as an emerging leader in global tourism.
Tourism Prospects in Bulgaria
The Bulgaria Ministry of Tourism design competition also engaged the world’s artists to promote how they perceive Bulgaria’s tourist potential. The winning designs will be helpful to frame Bulgaria’s future direction of marketing itself as a year-round tourist destination. The project also showcases the determination of the government to stimulate creative industries and foster an energetic cultural economy, and market Bulgaria’s impressive and varied tourist attractions.
