Bulgarian Mayors and Entrepreneurs Explore the Experience of the Aveiro Region

We are publishing an English translation of an article from the Portuguese daily newspaper Diário de Aveiro, dated 24 September 2026. The printed page featuring the article was kindly provided to us by its author, Alberto Oliveira e Silva.

Photo: George Tabakov, Chairman of Bulgaria Economic Forum, and Milena Zheleva, Deputy Mayor of Stara Zagora. 

Cooperation | A 25-member delegation visited institutions and projects that promote regional development. Culture will be the first area in which a Portuguese-Bulgarian partnership is expected to take concrete shape.

Alberto Oliveira e Silva

The Municipality of Stara Zagora in Bulgaria is seeking to establish a partnership with Aveiro as soon as possible, with the aim of strengthening the city’s prospects in the competition for European Capital of Culture 2032, for which Stara Zagora is a candidate.

“We have already spoken with the Mayor, Luís Souto de Miranda, and once we return to Bulgaria, a formal proposal will be submitted,” George Tabakov, Chairman of Bulgaria Economic Forum, told the newspaper during his visit to the Aveiro Region, following an earlier visit to Coimbra.

He made the statement during a session at which the Bulgarian delegation was introduced to PCI – the Science and Technology Park, the University of Aveiro, AIDA – the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and CIRA – the Intermunicipal Community of the Aveiro Region. Tabakov highlighted the experience gained by Aveiro after the city served as Portuguese Capital of Culture.

Milena Zheleva, Deputy Mayor of Stara Zagora responsible for Culture and Tourism, added that, as part of the proposed partnership, Bulgarian artists could visit the “city of canals”, while their counterparts from Aveiro could visit Stara Zagora and present their work in the Bulgarian city.

The Deputy Mayor also expressed interest in developing “co-productions” between the artistic communities of the two cities, as well as in strengthening relations with art and cultural centres in the region, because, as she emphasised, “culture is a two-way street.”

The delegation from this Eastern European member state of the European Union comprised 25 people from 13 municipalities, including six mayors and six deputy mayors. During their visit to the Aveiro Region, the participants explored the local institutions, resources and initiatives that contribute to the development of the region’s economic ecosystem.

George Tabakov explained that the delegation included representatives of large Bulgarian municipalities, including the capital, Sofia, as well as regional centres such as Stara Zagora, and smaller municipalities.

“They all want to increase the competitiveness of their municipalities and learn what Portuguese municipalities have done in this field,” he said.

Tabakov also noted that the delegation had visited technology parks to learn from their experience and explore opportunities for sharing solutions that could help municipalities address challenges such as mobility, urban management, waste management, disasters and the consequences of climate change.

He particularly highlighted the Aveiro Region’s expertise in “cooperation between municipalities, the university and businesses.” 

During the session held at PCI, Rui Dias and Luís Souto de Miranda, the Mayors of Ílhavo and Aveiro, respectively, presented the economic potential of the two municipalities. Particular attention was given to cooperation between local authorities and the organisations and institutions that contribute to development, especially in the fields of education and vocational training, as well as culture.

“Territories do not only compete with one another – they also need to cooperate with one another,” the Mayor of Ílhavo emphasised in his remarks to the Bulgarian visitors.

The Mayor of Aveiro, for his part, highlighted the experience that the city can share and emphasised the region’s ability to connect the world of knowledge with the business community for the benefit of the local community.

Luís Barbosa, Director-General of PCI, presented the capabilities and role of this important regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. He then led the Bulgarian delegation on a visit to the Digital Factory, Design Factory and the University of Aveiro Incubator.

Source: Diário de Aveiro, 24 September 2026.