20260718 Confucius Institute in Sofia Participated in the 2026 Bankya Mineral Spring Festival

On July 18, the Confucius Institute in Sofia participated in the 2026 Bankya Mineral Spring Festival (also known as Goreshlyatsi 2026), organized by Sofia Municipality and hosted by the Bankya District Administration. The Institute took part in the cultural exhibition activities held that day in Chestnut Park in Bankya. Nearly 1,000 people attended the event, including Yordanka Dimitrova, Vice Principal of Secondary School No. 78 in Bankya, teachers from the Confucius Institute in Sofia, local residents, and visitors.

The Confucius Institute in Sofia organized a series of Chinese culture workshops featuring a wide range of activities. The workshops featured a variety of activities,  including Chinese audiobook reading sessions, Chinese calligraphy, panda-themed and Hanfu-themed coloring, paper-cutting, Five-in-a-Row game, and shuttlecock kicking. The workshops attracted local residents and visitors. Local people showed great interest in Chinese culture, and the atmosphere at the venue was lively.

This was the first time that the Confucius Institute in Sofia had been invited to participate in the Bankya Mineral Spring Festival, where it received a warm welcome from local residents. Earlier this year, the Institute reached a cooperation agreement with Secondary School No. 78 in Bankya and plans to offer the district's first Chinese language course.

The Mineral Spring Festival is closely associated with health and longevity. It is the oldest and most representative traditional festival in Bankya District, and one of the most important annual cultural events in the area. Bankya is well known as a "spa town." The festival is based on the town's abundant mineral spring resources and spa and wellness culture, and is celebrated over several consecutive days each year. It is an important cultural brand showcasing Bankya's local characteristics and cultural charm.

Note: The Goreshlyatsi Festival (its name derives from the Bulgarian word meaning "hot" or "heat") is a traditional observance in the Bulgarian folk calendar, marking 15–17 July, which are traditionally regarded as the hottest three days of the year. The festival is associated with respect for fire and the prevention of fires, and its name varies across different regions of Bulgaria. According to tradition, people refrain from agricultural work and household chores during these days to avoid accidentally causing fires that could destroy crops or homes. In Bankya District, the Goreshlyatsi Festival is also the local traditional Mineral Spring Festival. It is associated with the local mineral springs, which have healing properties. It is a festival dedicated to mineral springs, health, and longevity. The celebrations include a variety of cultural displays, concerts, exhibitions, sporting events, and other activities.

Source: Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text: Zhang Kaiyue

Photos: Li Xinmei

Reviewers: Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva, Ding Chen

English translation: Dima Pironkova