On June 24, 2025, Sofia Tech Park became a home for science, technology, and dreams with the fifth anniversary edition of the festival HELLO SPACE! BULGARIA CALLING 5.0. The event was organized by the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria and the National STEAM & Space Cluster, under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Science and with active support from Sofia Municipality.

The spirit of collaboration at the festival was emphasized not only through the participation of major organizations and academic partners but also through a wide network of institutions. The festival was carried out with the active cooperation of the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of the Interior, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Bulgaria, the RAKIA Mission, Axiom Space, Lockheed Martin, M3 Communications, Force Delta, and the Central Operational Unit “112.” These organizations took part in logistics, the creation of a well-planned program, and provided support for the event’s safety and communication capacity.

Lecture Program in the John Atanasoff Forum

At the heart of the festival was a rich lecture program that brought together world-renowned scientists, researchers, and visionaries.

A highlight of the program was astronaut Eytan Stibbe – Israeli fighter pilot, entrepreneur, and the second Israeli to visit the International Space Station as part of the Rakia-AX1 mission. He joined virtually with an inspiring lecture, sharing personal experiences from life in orbit and answering questions collected in advance through a national competition.

Another key figure was Sunita Williams – a NASA astronaut and record holder for the most hours spent in space by a woman. She is also the first woman to complete a triathlon in orbit. During her appearance, she spoke about the human aspect of life in space, teamwork, and the challenges of long-term missions.

The lecture by Prof. Leandar Litov – physicist and leader of the Bulgarian team at CERN – also drew significant attention. He presented the future of high-energy physics and the involvement of Bulgarian scientists in international megaprojects such as the Large Hadron Collider and the Euclid space telescope.

Also on the same stage were Prof. Henk Hoekstra – a leading cosmology expert from the Netherlands who helped create the first 3D map of the universe – and Jeffrey Manber, entrepreneur and co-founder of Nanoracks, who spoke about the potential of the private sector in space exploration and future orbital colonization.

For the first time, with the help of artificial intelligence and the company ABLERA, a video greeting was generated using an AI-generated avatar speaking Mandarin – an innovative way to stimulate natural intelligence in young audiences through artificial intelligence.

Science and Technology in Action: Workshops and Demonstrations

Over 50 booths and interactive workshops allowed visitors to experience science through hands-on experiments. Highlights included:

• TechnoMagicLand, with exciting demonstrations involving liquid nitrogen, superconductors, and levitation;
• EnduroSat, presenting a real nanosatellite with functional hardware;
• Robopartans, organizing robot games and competitions for students;
• Center for Excellence in Mechatronics, showing mechatronic systems used in aeronautics;
• Central Laboratory for Solar-Terrestrial Influences at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), with experiments on the effects of magnetic storms;
• European Institute of Cultural Tourism “EVRIKA,” demonstrating the connection between cultural heritage and astronomical cycles;
• Institutes from BAS, Sofia University, the Technical University, as well as numerous schools and NGOs, involving children in experiments with microscopy, chemical reactions, virtual reality, and astrophotography.

For the youngest visitors, workshops were organized to build models of comets, the phases of the Moon, and the Milky Way molecule, attracting strong interest from students across the country.

Demonstrations of Special Forces and Military Technology

One of the most memorable experiences was the demonstration by the Bulgarian Army’s special forces. Elite units showcased extraction techniques, neutralization procedures, and tactical maneuvers. Visitors had the chance to see military equipment up close and meet the professionals behind it. The demonstration was not only a spectacle but also an educational example of modern defense capabilities and civil-military cooperation.

Chess Tournament: Interstellar Chess Wars

The festival also featured the “Interstellar Chess Wars 2.0” tournament, led by sports master Vasil Kolev. Both beginners and experienced young chess players competed against national under-20 champion Nikola Kanov. The tournament included blitz games, problem solving, and demonstration matches, highlighting the connection between logical thinking and space sciences.

Awards for Young Talents

During the event, winners of two national competitions were honored:

• The drawing contest “Our Beautiful Universe“, with over 400 children from across the country participating;
• The question competition for astronaut Eytan Stibbe, whose finalists heard their questions answered live.

The artworks and achievements of the participants were displayed as part of a special exhibition designed to inspire the next generation of explorers.

The festival received significant logistical and material support from corporate partners who contributed to the comfort and experience of participants –

McDonald’s, Pirin Spring, Kaufland, Mag Italia, Gelato&Latte, Prestige-96, Dimitar Madzharov, Smart Organic, Gradus, and Elias.

This would not have been possible without the generous support of:

• Sofia Municipality, Directorate “Culture”
• America for Bulgaria Foundation (ABF)
• Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS)
• Yettel Bulgaria AD
• Kaufland Bulgaria EOOD
• Cerazit S.A.
• Elatzite-Med AD / Geotechmin Group
• Technopolis Bulgaria EAD
• Dundee Precious Metals Krumovgrad
• Sarten EAD
• Glavbolgarstroy AD
• Sunotech EOOD
• Asarel-Medet AD
• Aurubis Bulgaria EOOD
• Wiser Mobile EOOD
• VMZ-Sopot AD
• Samsung Electronics Bulgaria EAD
• Novo Nordisk Bulgaria Ltd.
• Etos Bulgaria EOOD
• Telelink Business Services EOOD
• Bulgarian Electricity Transmission System Operator EAD
• Ernst & Young Bulgaria

Thanks to each of these partners and organizations for their invaluable financial, technological, logistical, and prize contributions that made “HELLO SPACE! BULGARIA CALLING 5.0” possible.

Adding a musical touch to the festival spirit was the original song “Hello Space!”, released as a single on June 30, 2025, by the Mickey Mouse Vocal Group.

Toward the next launch: the future is here

The festival “Hello, Space! | Bulgaria Speaks 5.0” did not simply mark its fifth anniversary. It demonstrated that Bulgaria has the potential, passion, and capacity to connect with space. The main goal of the festival remains clear: to gather ideas, inspiration, and public energy in support of the mission – for Bulgaria to send its third astronaut into space.