Procession, stage and hundreds of children’s voices: “Open Heart” 2026 brings Veliko Tarnovo to life
The Open Heart Children’s Roma Festival will once again transform Veliko Tarnovo into a stage of children’s talent, cultural diversity and messages of tolerance. On June 5 and 6, 2026, Marno Pole Park will gather about 1,500 children and young people from all over the country, who will show the richness of different cultures and the strength of community through music, dance, theater and creativity.
The event is organized by the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe” and the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo. Over the years, the festival has established itself as one of the largest events in Bulgaria, promoting intercultural dialogue, educational motivation and the active participation of children and young people.
This year, the festival program will be filled with colorful performances of songs, dances, customs and theatrical performances, presented by schools and youth groups from different parts of the country. Visitors will also be able to participate in various creative studios and workshops, organized by both the Amalipe Center and schools and non-governmental organizations. An exhibition of drawings from the student competition “Marriage can wait, education – not” will also be presented within the framework of the festival, dedicated to the importance of education and the prevention of early marriages.
The official opening of the festival will take place on June 5 at 1:00 p.m. in Marno Pole Park. On the first day, the park will come alive with music, dance, creative workshops and meetings between children and young people from different communities. On June 6, the festival program will continue from 9:30 a.m. with new stage performances, artistic activities and presentations by the participants.
As part of the Open Heart Festival program, a roundtable discussion on the topic of “Mental Health Without Barriers” will be held on June 5 from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM in the Ritual Hall of the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo, organized within the framework of the EQUICARES project. The event will bring together guests from all partner countries in the project – 7 countries and 18 organizations with different profiles, including organizations working with communities, academic partners, health and expert structures. Representatives of institutions, experts, stakeholders and project partners will participate in the discussion, and simultaneous translation will be provided for international guests. The main emphasis will be placed on access to mental health support, overcoming stigma, the need for more people-friendly services and the role of communities in creating solutions that are understandable, accessible and useful for all.
One of the most anticipated moments in the program will once again be the festive parade of participants, which will take place on June 5 from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. along the central Vasil Levski Street in Veliko Tarnovo. The colorful procession traditionally becomes a true celebration of youth, talent and cultural diversity, attracting residents and guests of the city.
After the parade, from 6:00 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo, spectators will be able to enjoy school theater performances presented by the PJCCHT – Pazardzhik and the Primary School “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”. The evening will end with a free broadcast of the audio-visual spectacle “Tsarevgrad Tarnov – Sound and Light” on “Tsar Asen I” Square, which will illuminate the sky above the old capital.
The second day of the festival – June 6 (Saturday) – will also be filled with music, creativity and inspiring meetings. From 9:30 a.m., the stage in Marno Pole Park will once again gather dozens of children’s and youth groups from different parts of the country, who will present songs, dances, folklore customs and artistic performances. In parallel with the concert program, visitors will be able to view the exhibition of drawings from the student competition “Marriage Can Wait, Education Can’t”, as well as join the various creative studios and workshops organized by schools, non-governmental organizations and partners of the festival.
The second day of the festival will also feature a National Meeting of Roma Women, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the stage of the Summer Theater. It traditionally brings together active women, leaders, educational mediators, public figures and representatives of various communities from across the country. The meeting will focus on the role of women in the community, access to education, active civic participation and the challenges facing young girls and families today.
The Open Heart Festival continues to be a space where children and young people can freely express themselves, share their traditions, and show that differences can be a bridge, not a division. With its message of tolerance, education, and mutual respect, the event will once again bring together thousands of participants and guests in a celebration of community, talent, and hope.
Follow the page of the Children’s Roma Festival “Open Heart” to receive the most up-to-date information
This year’s edition of the Children’s Roma Festival is realized with the support of:
Veliko Tarnovo Municipalty
Trust for Social Achievement (TSA) is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to break the vicious cycle of poverty by promoting opportunities that help Bulgaria’s most disadvantaged citizens achieve educational and economic success. TSA supports programs that, through their integrity, growth potential, and transparency, help improve the well-being of Bulgaria’s poorest people, with a special focus on Roma.
EQUICARES – Community-Driven Healthcare Access and Mental Health Promotion for Inclusive, Equitable, and Resilient European Societies
Project “Marriage can wait, education can’t” is implemented within the framework of the INSPIRE project: Improving National Support for Prevention, Intervention, Response, and Empowerment of Victims of Violence against Children” and is co-funded by the European Union and the Foundation “Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation” (WCIF).
“Prosveta” is the largest and most authoritative Bulgarian publishing group for textbooks, teaching aids and methodological literature. For eight decades, the publishing house has defended its first place in the domestic educational book publishing.