On 19 September 2025, Kyustendil hosted the celebration of the Interreg Cooperation Day and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Interreg programmes – the European initiative that for more than three decades has been connecting regions, communities, and people across borders.
The day became even more special with the celebration of 35 years of Interreg – 35 years of connecting people, regions, and communities throughout Europe. And, of course, no celebration is complete without a cake – everyone joined together to mark this important anniversary with smiles and good spirits.
The event was jointly organised by the Interreg VI-A Bulgaria–North Macedonia and Interreg VI-A Bulgaria–Serbia programmes, within the framework of the international theatre festival “Acting Europe – Theatre Without Borders”, as a clear symbol of unity and partnership.
Young people from both sides of the border actively took part in the celebration, showing that cooperation knows no boundaries – its strength lies in building trust, creating friendships, and sharing a common future.
The Director of the Directorate “Territorial Cooperation Management”, Ms Desislava Georgieva, together with representatives of the National Authorities of the Interreg – IPA Bulgaria–Serbia and Interreg – IPA Bulgaria–North Macedonia programmes, congratulated the young participants from both sides of the border. They emphasised that the cooperation fostered through Interreg goes beyond borders, figures, and documents – it builds trust, partnerships, and tangible results that improve people’s lives.
The celebration took place within the international theatre festival “Acting Europe – Theatre Without Borders”, which brought together theatres and young artists from Bulgaria, Serbia, and North Macedonia. The stage of the Kyustendil Drama Theatre became a place of inspiration, friendship, and cultural exchange.
The festival was officially opened by Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ms Yura Vitanova, who highlighted in her welcome address that “Theatre is a place where we can all be together – without barriers and prejudice. This is exactly what Interreg has been doing for 35 years – connecting people, communities, and ideas across borders.”
She underlined that thanks to cross-border cooperation programmes, regions have implemented projects that transform people’s lives – from infrastructure and economy to culture and education. Deputy Minister Vitanova expressed her gratitude to the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria, the Ministry of Tourism, all partners of the cross-border cooperation programmes, the Union of Artists in Bulgaria, and the Municipality of Kyustendil for the successful implementation of this large-scale initiative. She expressed confidence that the festival would become an annual tradition.
Among the official guests of the event were Ms Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria, Mr Zhelyazko Radukov, Ambassador of Bulgaria to the Republic of North Macedonia, Ms Agneza Rusi Popovska, Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to Bulgaria, Mr Milan Ravic, Ambassador of Serbia, as well as other representatives of European institutions and diplomatic missions. European Commissioner for Intergenerational Justice, Youth, Culture and Sport Mr Glen Micallef also addressed the participants with a special video message.
Over the four days of the festival, the stage of the Kyustendil Drama Theatre hosted six theatrical performances by leading theatres from Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Serbia – the National Theatre “Ivan Vazov” – Sofia, the Macedonian National Theatre – Skopje, the National Theatre – Niš, the Kyustendil Drama Theatre, as well as several independent productions.
The event was jointly organised by the Interreg – IPA Bulgaria–Serbia 2021–2027 and Interreg – IPA Bulgaria–North Macedonia 2021–2027 programmes, with the support of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works – Managing Authority of both programmes.
#Interreg #CooperationDay #ActingEurope
Interreg Family Photo
Opening Interreg Cooperation Day - Kyustendil Drama Theatre
Director of the Directorate “Territorial Cooperation Management”, Ms Desislava Georgieva congratulated the young participants from both sides of the border
Mr Nemanja Martinović, Acting Assistant Minister, Head of Programme National Authority
Cross-border youth in action – an Interreg treasure hunt in the city
Cross-border youth in action – an Interreg treasure hunt in the city
Cross-border youth in action – an Interreg treasure hunt in the city
Cross-border youth in action – an Interreg treasure hunt in the city
Cross-border youth in action – an Interreg treasure hunt in the city
Cross-border youth in action – an Interreg treasure hunt in the city
Cross-border youth in action – an Interreg treasure hunt in the city
Cross-border youth in action – an Interreg treasure hunt in the city
Happy 35th Anniversary of Interreg
Ms Yura Vitanova, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works , Head of the Managing Authority
Ms Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria
Mr. Ognian Atanasov, Mayor of Kyustendil, and Mr. Nikola Kimovski, Director of the National Theatre – Skopje
No Man’s Land – National Theatre Skopje
The audience’s applause filled the theatre.
“Ajvar or Lyutenitsa” – a cross-border performance by 36 Monkeys (Bulgaria) and Intimen Theatre (North Macedonia), directed by Gergana Dimitrova and featuring Denitsa Darinova and Sofija Ristevska
“Ajvar or Lyutenitsa”
Applause from the audience at the end of the performance.
“Don Juan” – National Theatre Niš
“Don Juan” – National Theatre Niš
“Oh, My God” – Ivan Vazov National Theatre
“Oh, My God” – Ivan Vazov National Theatre
“Oh, My God” – Ivan Vazov National Theatre