Eurovision Buzz: Bulgaria will back Eurovision 2027 in Burgas with €20 million this year, including a €15 million guarantee to kick off the process, plus more for transport, venues and promotion as a test concert is planned before the end of 2026. Local Culture & Events: Burgas is also gearing up for the first Who Creates? International Youth Film Festival (Aug 25–27), bringing nearly 190 films from 42 countries and spotlighting young creators aged 10–25. Immersive Art in Sofia: MINA Sofia, a Romanian immersive show, has drawn over 60,000 visitors in its first year at the Serdika Center, with audiences returning for the tech-driven 360-degree experience. Tech for Media Production: SubtitleNEXT is debuting expanded AI transcription integrations and workflow upgrades at IBC 2026, including more speech-to-text engines and improved subtitle burn-in tools. Security & Politics: President Iliana Iotova faces pressure to convene the Consultative Council for National Security over reports of an Iranian threat involving US assets at Bezmer air base, despite NATO assurances. Environment Meets Pop Culture: Green Balkans proposes the bearded vulture as Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2027 symbol, tying the bird’s comeback story to conservation and the contest’s unity theme.