Balgarianovinite.com Singer Dara, astronomer Ivan Ivanov, and Dutch civic figures Ada D’Amcourt (posthumously) and her husband, Ton Delemare, were awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Varna at a ceremony at the city’s Summer Theatre on Saturday. The honors were presented by Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and Municipal Council Chair Hristo Dimitrov.
Darina Yotova, known as Dara, was honored as the first Bulgarian performer to win the Eurovision Song Contest, as well as for her contribution to the development of Bulgarian music. In her address to the audience, she thanked her hometown for the honor, noting that culture must be supported and developed. Dara expressed hope that the municipality and the Municipal Council of Varna would support youth initiatives, as well as people who have dreams and plans and need help making them a reality.
Astronomer Ivan Ivanov was honored for his contribution to the development of the National Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium in Varna, for helping establish the National Astronomy Olympiad, and on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Addressing the audience, Ivanov thanked “the city, which for more than 60 years has worked to ensure that the Varna observatory remains a leading institution in Bulgaria.”
Dutch nationals Ada D’Amcourt and Ton Delemare were honored for their efforts to strengthen friendly relations between Varna and Dordrecht. The awards also coincided with the 25th anniversary of the cities’ official twinning. Speaking fluent Bulgarian on their behalf, Delemare’s daughter, Maria, thanked the people of Varna. She said her father is now 95 and unable to travel, but watched the ceremony via video link. “He is deeply moved by this honor,” Maria Delemare said. According to her, the family first visited Varna about 50 years ago. “Since then, the city has always held a special place in my father’s heart because it is a city of history, art, sea and sunshine,” Delemare said. A poem about Varna, written by her father expressing his feelings for the Bulgarian city, was also presented at the ceremony. Singer Dara, Astronomer Ivan Ivanov, Dutch Nationals Ada D’Amcourt and Ton Delemare Named Honorary Citizens of Varna 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-08-15 19:24:46 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law