Varna council approves €75,000 for the New Year concert with Marty Cintron
Varna's council approved €75,000 for the New Year concert with Marty Cintron of No Mercy, not the €114,000 proposed. No vote count was reported.
Varna’s Municipal Council has approved €75,000 for the New Year’s Eve concert with Marty Cintron, the founder and singer of No Mercy, and not the €114,000 the administration proposed. Varna24 and BNR Radio Varna reported the decision on 29 October 2026. Neither report gave a vote count.
What did the council decide?
According to Varna24 and BNR Radio Varna, the council approved €75,000 for “Together on New Year’s Eve” on Nezavisimost Square on 31 December. Before the vote, the city and the singer’s promoter had said they would wait for the council before signing or dropping the deal, BNR reported on 26 October. The 29 October reports do not say whether the contract has since been signed.
The full line-up and times are on Varna Now.
Why €75,000 instead of €114,000?
Councillor Biliana Raeva proposed cutting the amount. She said €75,000 is the same budget that was set for the Varna Day celebration, Varna24 and BNR reported. The administration’s €114,000 included €71,800 for presenters’ and performers’ fees; the rest was for organisation and technical support.
According to the public procurement notice, Cintron’s fee for the Varna appearance is about €33,100, BNR Radio Varna reported. No breakdown has been published for the other performers. The reports do not say how the €75,000 will be split.
What did councillors criticise?
During the debate, councillors raised the transparency of public spending, according to BNR Radio Varna. They said residents should have clear information about every euro spent. They also asked why so much money goes to a foreign headliner when Bulgaria has many talented artists. The reports did not name these councillors or quote a reply from the administration.
How did the dispute start?
On 23 October the council’s Finance and Budget Committee refused to approve the culture directorate’s November–December spending in advance, BNR and BTA reported. Councillors wanted a breakdown of performers’ fees; the administration said such fees are usually kept private at the artists’ request. Earlier, on 22 October, Varna24 had reported that the culture committee backed €114,000 for the concert.
What it means for Varna
- The council has set €75,000 as the concert budget. Varna Pulse will add any change to the line-up or the contract when it is reported.
- Varna still has no adopted 2026 budget; the council and the mayor disagree on the next step, as explained in our report on the 2026 budget standoff. Varna24 reported that the council approved November–December funds for education (about €2.3 million), sport (about €63,000) and other services. Read more in our report on Varna’s BBB+ credit rating and missing budget.
Holiday plans that are already announced are in our guide to Christmas and New Year in Varna and the December events list.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is the New Year concert in Varna going ahead?
The Municipal Council approved €75,000 for “Together on New Year's Eve”, Varna24 and BNR Radio Varna reported on 29 October 2026. Neither report says whether the contract with Marty Cintron's promoter has been signed.
How much will Varna's New Year concert cost?
€75,000, the amount the council approved. The administration had proposed €114,000, of which €71,800 was for presenters' and performers' fees. Cintron's fee is about €33,100, according to the procurement notice.
Why €75,000 and not €114,000?
Councillor Biliana Raeva proposed the lower amount. She said it is the same budget that was set for the Varna Day celebration, according to Varna24 and BNR.
How did councillors vote?
No vote count was reported. Both Varna24 and BNR only say that the council approved the €75,000.
Does Varna have a 2026 budget?
Not yet. Because of that, the council approved funds for November and December for cultural events, education, social services, youth activities and sport, Varna24 reported.
