News - Canada, Ottawa, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria

On November 1, 2025 a festive performance was held in the Canadian city of Montreal on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Folk Dance Club "Viti Gaitani" from Montreal. Over the years, the Club has turned into recognizable folk dance formation of the Bulgarian community from Quebec province. Its performances have enjoyed the attention of the public in various cities of both Canada and USA. The artistic director of "Viti Gaitani" Mrs. Bilyana Hristova was even been nominated earlier this year in the relevant international competition for a Bulgarian Lady of the Year.

The continuous efforts of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ottawa to join the Canadian project, aiming to preserve the memory of the soldiers and officers who lost their lives during the First World War (WWI) were successfully accomplished.

On October 18, 2025 a Bulgarian Folklore Festival was held in Ottawa. The event was organized by the National Capital Region Bulgarian Community to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Community’s Foundation.

On June 28, 2025 the Bulgarian Folklore Ensemble "Rodina", based in the city of Ottawa, celebrated with a large concert the 25th anniversary of its establishment. "Rodina" is the first Bulgarian folklore ensemble in Canada, launched with the aim of uniting the Bulgarian diaspora, preserving the national folklore music and dance and the Bulgarian traditions.

On June 15, 2025 the traditional Ottawa EU Cultural Festival was held at the Canadian Museum of History big lawn. The Festival made it possible once again for the local citizens to get a direct access to the culture, the customs and the traditions of the EU Member States and the uniqueness and the cultural diversity of Europe. The representatives of the EU diplomatic missions provided traditional souvenirs, culinary products, information materials, etc. to the numerous local public.

The Mayor of City of Ottawa Mr. Mark Sutcliffe proclaimed 24 May 2025 as Bulgarian Cultural Heritage Day in the Canadian capital. The proclamation was launched thanks to the efforts of the National Capital Region Bulgarian Community and the kind assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ottawa.

On the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria - March 3, the Bulgarian Embassy in Canada held a flag-raising ceremony before the Ottawa City Hall. Representatives of the Bulgarian community, local citizens, federal MPs and senators attended the event. The ceremony was held with the kind hospitality of the City of Ottawa.

With regard to the upcoming public holidays of the Republic of Bulgaria in December 2024 and January 2025, the Consular Office will be closed on the following days: December 24, 25 and 26, 2024: Christmas Days; January 1, 2025: New Year’s Day. Consular Office at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Canada

The award-winning film “Because I Love Bad Weather” (2024) by Bulgarian film director and screenwriter Yana Lekarska is now available for online watching in Canada from December 1 to December 15, 2024, as part of the online edition of the European Union Film Festival.

Bulgarian film director and screenwriter Yana Lekarska presented her award-winning film “Because I Love Bad Weather” (2024) to a packed theater at the European Union Film Festival in Ottawa on November 16, 2024.