Initiatives

The Rivers
of The City

The Rivers of the City is a long-term initiative that aims to transform cities’ relationship with their rivers. It began in 2020 with the Rivers of Sofia festival and has since been spreading to more and more cities across the country. The Rivers of the City creates a network of аctivists at the local, national, and European levels.
Events

Why rivers?

The rivers in our cities can remain the only unspoiled nature around us. They are a link to the past – most of our settlements arose along rivers. They are also connected with the future – in the context of global warming, they play a key role. But at the moment, in many places, urban rivers are neglected. Mixed sewage is poured into them, which periodically pollutes them. The ancient connection between man and the river should be a top priority for the future of cities.
 
Rivers once gave life to European cities and hide within themselves the power to do it again. If we pay enough attention to them, they can give us biodiversity, culture, sports, play, aesthetics and health.
 
It is important to think about how we take care of rivers in the expected periods of long-term drought in Europe, as well as how rivers could take care of us in the heavy rainfall that awaits us after such droughts.

Urgent measures are needed for Europe's urban rivers to ensure a good living environment for people:

  • removal of mixed sewerage;
  • tracking technologies in catchment areas and river valleys and early warning systems to enable the safe use of these spaces;
  • wetlands to protect the city from flooding and support urban biodiversity;
  • a balance between the construction of ecological green corridors and public spaces along the rivers;
  • Most of all – involving as many people as possible in these processes so that they are conscious and sustainable!

The Rivers
of Sofia

Since 2020, the Collective has been organizing the Rivers of Sofia – an initiative for the riverside spaces in the city. The festival of the same name turns these desolate areas into favorite places for culture and an emblem of the capital.
Over the past 3 years, the Rivers of Sofia festival has established itself as one of the most popular events in the country. It is visited by tens of thousands of people.
 
During the festival, the rivers become an accessible place for recreation, music, cinema, theater, sports and children’s play.
 
We are working to solve the problems with sewerage and urban planning, so that the riverside spaces are always alive and open to people.

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

The Rivers
of The City - Ruse

The connection between Ruse and the Danube is broken – the city and the river are separated by a 12-meter concrete strip, most of which is deserted. Thus, much potential for cultural, social and green development remains untapped.
 
There is strong enthusiasm in the city on the part of local institutions, cultural organizations, businesses and active citizens – they strive to reduce depopulation and create a positive environment for the people of Ruse. The Collective partners with all of them, uniting them in a common goal.
For several years in a row, we have been working with students from vocational high schools who put their technical skills and dreams for the city into designs for new public spaces. Together we implement their ideas with temporary urban interventions that bring together thousands of Ruse residents and unite the civic energy.
 
The Rivers of the City – Ruse Festival already has two editions in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the open stage on the Danube remained in place throughout the season from May to September and hosted over 75 events of various genres of culture. Since 2023, urban interventions in Ruse have been taking place during the winter season, when there is an even greater need for accessible events and shared spaces in the city.
 
Our activities in Ruse have been awarded in the international competition 2021 Idea Challenge of the German program Civic Europe. In 2023, they won the prestigious European Union New European Bauhaus Award.

2021

2022

The Rivers
of The City -Veliko Tarnovo

In 2023, The Collective became part of one of the most popular community events in the country – the 48 Hours Varusha South festival. This initiative shows the potential of the Yantra River for the future development of our old capital.
And in the summer of 2024, thanks to the amazing local community – including the TaM organization, we will again join the initiative with activities by the river. We will create spaces that connect the city with Yantra so that people can experience its natural beauty. Together we will think about how to keep the river clean so that it continues to be a source of inspiration and life.

2023

2024

The Rivers
of The City -
Gabrovo

Our work in Gabrovo draws attention to the role of the Yantra and the riverside spaces for the future of the city. The initiative is happening together with the Gabrovo Youth Center and the new Christo and Jeanne-Claude Center.

In 2022 and 2023, in desolate areas by the river, we organized festivals with music, visual art and youth activities. The rivers of the city of Gabrovo opens up opportunities for local artists, students and active citizens to get involved in the development of their city.

In 2024-2026, we are working on the improvement of desolate spaces near the Yantra together with partners from 9 other European countries. The good examples from the Rivers of the city of Gabrovo will be applied in desolate urban spaces in other countries, incl. Slovenia, Germany, Romania, Serbia.
 
Our first festival in Gabrovo was awarded as the best cultural event of the year by the local community center “The Enlighteners 2017”.

2023

2024

The Rivers
of The City - Stara Zagora

In 2023, The Collective became part of the alternative festival with a cause of Stara Zagora. Together with the Creative Collective On the Street and the association Save Bedechka, we awaken riverside spaces and gather artists and active citizens to strengthen their work for the green development of the city. We rediscover some forgotten places in Bedechka Park with music, art and sports for adults and children. In 2024, the second edition of the initiative will be held.

2023

2024

Events

The Rivers of Sofia 2025

  • [Upcoming] August 29, 2025
Sofia, Bulgaria

PREMIERE: The Rivers of Sofia – Documentary

  • [Past] December 17, 2024
Sofia, Bulgaria

Conference “The Future of the Perlovska River – a Model for Sustainable Management of Sofia Rivers”

  • [Past] November 15, 2024
Sofia, Bulgaria
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Other Initiatives

Initiatives

100 Chairs

100 Chairs opens desolate urban terrains to people and fills them with greenery and culture. In areas where there are no shared spaces, we awaken public life in unusual locations.
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Initiatives

The Park

In 2023, together with residents of Mladost 4, employees in nearby offices, artists and designers, and in partnership with Business Park Sofia, we turned 3000 sq. m. of roof space in a place for rest, meetings, cultural events and children’s play.
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Initiatives

Academy
for Urban Environment

The Academy for Urban Spaces develops a network of architecture and urbanism students who have ideas for new green public spaces in their city. The initiative was launched with the support of the German Embassy in Sofia, building on our work with young people and urban enthusiasts in Ruse, Gabrovo and Sofia since 2021.
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