SmartBirds
On 17 October 2026, from 10:00 to 17:00, the Imperial Eagle Festival will once again bring to Topolovgrad everything that makes Sakar a special place – its wild nature, local flavours, living traditions and the people who keep the spirit of this region alive.
The event is organised by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and Topolovgrad Municipality. It aims to promote the natural and cultural heritage of the area, support local producers and artisans, and highlight the connection between nature conservation and regional development.
Local farmers, cooks and artisans will showcase their products and work, offering visitors locally produced goods, delicious dishes and handmade crafts. The festival is an opportunity to meet the people of Sakar and discover the traditions and skills they continue to preserve.
Local culinary delights will have a special place in the programme. Skilled cooks from the Maritsa-2008 Community Cultural Centre in the village of Raynovo will prepare fish soup following a traditional recipe from the Maritsa Valley, served with sourdough bread.
The festival is also an invitation to explore the nature of Sakar. The programme includes a guided birdwatching walk led by a BSPB expert, a talk about the Imperial Eagle and the rich birdlife of Sakar, and the Sakar Wildlife photography exhibition by Dr Georgi Gerdzhikov, showcasing the region’s remarkable wild nature. Educational games and activities will be organised for children.
Folk singing and dancing performances by local amateur groups, a performance by Ivanina Koleva, a young singer from Topolovgrad, and a concert by the rock band Tsunami will add to the festive atmosphere.
The Imperial Eagle is a symbol of Sakar, and its conservation is closely linked to the people who live and work in the region. Maintaining pastures, promoting sustainable agriculture and tourism, and preserving the traditional landscape are all important for this magnificent bird and the other inhabitants of the wild. Through the festival, BSPB and Topolovgrad Municipality aim to highlight these connections and show how the region’s natural wealth can be protected while supporting local livelihoods.
The Imperial Eagle Festival is organised with the support of the project Green Belt of Southeastern Bulgaria, funded by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP). The programme is managed by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme at the University of Cambridge, a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and leading international organisations working to conserve biodiversity. The University and the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme are supported by Arcadia, a charitable fund of Peter Baldwin and Lisbet Rausing.
