Music & Pop Culture: Erykah Badu is back with her first studio album in 16 years, Before the World Blows: The Abi & Alan Experiment, ahead of her Oct 23 Sofia concert at NDK. Arts & Culture (Bulgaria/Region): Burgas is officially pitching its bid to become European Capital of Culture 2032 at Apollonia, with the Burgas 2032 Foundation presenting the case to cultural and local-government figures. Film Industry: Finland’s Finnish Film Affair (Sept 23-25, Helsinki) unveils 38 projects and adds a Nordic Genre Lab strand for genre-focused pitches. Theatre & Performance: Javor Gardev’s The Bacchae keeps touring Greece, hitting Athens’ Lycabettus Theatre and continuing through Philippi and Thessaloniki. International Spotlight (Bulgarian talent abroad): Targovishte Puppet Theatre heads to Podgorica’s international festival with Adventures with Karlsson. Sports (Bulgarian): Bulgaria’s calisthenics and street workout team wins big at the Worlds in Riga, taking a world title, overall champion’s cup, and silver. Eurovision (Bulgaria): Canada’s Eurovision 2027 selection opens today for submissions to represent the country in Burgas next May. Controversy/Legal: Bulgarian MPs back Iva Mihaylova as her North Macedonia trial resumes Sept 28 with expert testimony, arguing for guaranteed medical access and a fair process.