Be Ready Project Celebrated Its Final Event with Sofia’s First Climate Festival – HEAT FEST 2026

The first edition of Sofia Climate Festival “HEAT FEST” 2026 was officially opened on 4th of June with an inspiring ceremony at Banski Square, bringing together citizens, institutions, researchers, artists, activists, international experts, and organisations committed to climate adaptation, sustainability, and the future of urban environments.

Organised by Sofia Development Association, Lead Partner of the Be Ready project, the festival marked an important milestone in promoting cooperation and innovative solutions for building greener, cooler, and more resilient cities.

The opening ceremony began with a performance by the Guards Representative Brass Band and welcomed representatives from local, national, and European institutions. Among the official guests were European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev, Bulgaria’s National Coordinator for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region Vyara Mincheva, and representatives of Sofia Development Association.

During the ceremony, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing climate challenges:

“I am extremely happy that more than 35 organisations, companies, and institutions came together to make this climate festival happen. The truth is that we can make Sofia a more sustainable city only together and leave a better future for our children.”

As the final event of the Be Ready project, HEAT FEST 2026 also gathered consortium partners from across the Danube Region, who joined the festival to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and present the results achieved through their joint efforts in addressing urban heat island effects and supporting cities in their climate adaptation journey.

The first day of the festival offered visitors a diverse programme of exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, and interactive activities. Participants explored the “Waters of Sofia” area, the New European Bauhaus zone, and the EXPO space, where different initiatives and solutions for climate resilience and sustainable urban development were presented.

Taking place on World Environment Day, the opening of HEAT FEST 2026 served as a strong reminder that climate challenges go beyond borders and require shared responsibility, cooperation, and collective action.

The Be Ready project extends its gratitude to all partners, participants, volunteers, and visitors who contributed to the successful first day of the festival and helped create a platform for dialogue, innovation, and a greener future for our cities.