You’re coming to Eurovision. You’ll see the sea. You’ll hear music from across Europe. You’ll stroll through the Sea Garden. You’ll meet thousands of fans.
But before you set foot in Burgas, there is something important you need to know.
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There are rules here.
They are not written down anywhere. They are not part of the official programme. No one will hand them to you at the entrance to Arena Burgas.
But if you want to blend in with the locals and avoid being identified as a tourist within your first minute in town, you’d better learn them.
1. Don’t ask, “Where is the sea?”
This is probably the fastest way to make it clear that you’re not from Burgas.
The sea is everywhere.
And if you ask a local, chances are you’ll get a very short answer:
“Over there”.
And yes, “over there” can mean quite a lot of things.
2. Don’t try to compete with a seagull
Especially if you’re holding food.
The seagull doesn’t need a Eurovision pass. It’s already a local.
And if you decide to photograph one up close, don’t be surprised if it decides to show you who the real star is.
3. Don’t say that the Sea Garden is “small”
This may be taken personally.
Especially if you say it to someone who grew up with it.
Better just take a walk.
And don’t rush. In Burgas, there are places that are meant to be experienced, not simply ticked off a tourist checklist.
4. Don’t announce that “there’s nothing to do in Burgas”
That sentence is dangerous.
It has the potential to turn into a very long conversation that starts with:
“Where have you actually been?”
and ends with maps, routes, restaurants, beaches, parks, festivals and at least five suggestions for things you have somehow managed to miss.
5. Don’t underestimate the Burgas “ey sega”
“Ey sega” does not always mean exactly “in a moment.”
It can mean anything between “right now” and “we’ll see.”
Don’t ask unnecessary questions.
Just trust the system.
6. Don’t wonder why someone is wearing flip-flops in May
You may have come from a country where spring means a jacket.
This is Burgas.
Here, the sea is a perfectly convincing argument.
And if a local tells you:
“It’s really warm, ”don’t argue.
They know.
7. Don’t photograph every sunset as if it were the last one of your life
Of course, take the pictures.
But be prepared for the fact that locals may simply walk past you without even taking out their phones.
Not because they don’t appreciate the sunset.
Quite the opposite.
They’ve just seen it so many times that they already know exactly where the sun will be five minutes from now.
8. Don’t call everything “the city centre”
A Burgas local has their own internal GPS system.
To them, a place might be:
“after the Sea Garden”
“before the bridge”
“by the sea”
“over there by the Kapanite”
or simply:
“Right here.”
And the most remarkable thing is that the locals understand each other perfectly.
9. Don’t come to Burgas just for Eurovision
That may turn out to be your biggest mistake.
Because you’ll come for the songs, see the stage, experience the contest...
and then discover that Burgas has quite a lot more to show you.
The Sea Garden
The beach
The port
The lakes
St Anastasia Island
The cultural scene
The streets
The music
And that feeling that makes people come once - and then come back again.
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10. And most importantly – don’t leave without becoming at least a little bit Burgazliya
No permanent address is required.
No exam is required.
You don’t even have to pronounce all the local words correctly.
All you need to do is sit by the sea, eat something delicious, take a walk without rushing and, at least once, look out over Burgas and think:
“I could stay here a little longer”.
And that is probably the most important unwritten rule of all.
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Because Eurovision will come and go.
The songs will be performed, the winner will be chosen, the spotlights will go out.
But Burgas will remain.
And if Europe comes for a few days and leaves wanting to come back, then the city will have won its very own Eurovision.
