Pop-folk singer Ann-G, best known for her salacious music singles and interest in keeping fit, will be representing the American vinyl siding firm Variform in its new Bulgarian billboard advert campaign. Keeping in line with her risqué self-presentation, for the photo sessions, the blonde Miss Fitness Bulgaria had to hold a 15kg hammer. In some of the photographs, its head serve as the only covering for her lower half. Not counting the glossy black high-heeled boots in her feet, that is. read more

The hysteria surrounding the concert of Kylie Minogue in Sofia is gradually and flawlessly building up across Bulgaria. If somehow, for any reason, you are still not aware when the concert takes place, it is at 8pm on May 18 at Locomotiv Stadium. And the organisers promise a unique show with dazzling costumes by Jean Paul Gaultier, light effects, huge video screens and impressive multimedia. So we hope, having heard about the spectacular show Minogue put on at the start of her tour in Paris on May 6. read more

It's going to be a hot summer for hard rock and metal fans, with Kiss and Metallica coming to town in the next couple of months. The legendary Kiss will perform to a Bulgarian audience for the first time on May 16 at Akademik Stadium from 7pm. Metallica will shake the capital's Vassil Levski Stadium on May 25 from 9pm, nine years after the group's legendary concert in Plovdiv. read more

Bulgaria was among the top 10 budget destinations for summer vacations in 2008, according to US travel writer Pauline Frommer. Frommer's recommendations range "from romantic getaway spots to family faves to exotic destinations for adventurous travelers", she said in a media statement. read more

A bike parade will take place in Sofia on May 15 to mark the 10th annual World Day for Action against Climate Change, Bikevolution association said in a media statement. The event is organized by the non-governmental organisations Bikevolution (www.bikevolution-bg.org), Bikearea (www.bikearea.org), Cooperation for Voluntary Service Bulgaria (CVS, http://cvs-bg.org/) and Za Zemiata (For the Earth). read more

Bulgarian speleologists have discovered a new gallery in the Optymistychna Cave in western Ukraine, enough to help it reclaim the second spot in the list of the world's longest caves, private broadcaster bTV reported on May 13. The newly discovered gallery was called Bulgaria, bTV said. read more

May 12 is the national day for anonymous and free screening and prevention of skin cancer. Throughout the day, dermatologists from many Bulgarian towns and cities will conduct free checks of people, who have doubts for skin cancer. The campaign is called Euromelanoma 2008 and is part of the European initiative for prevention and screening of skin cancer. In Bulgaria, it aims to increase awareness about the issue. read more

A golden phiale replicating an item from the Panagyurishte treasures of Ancient Thrace will, from this year on, be the trophy awarded in the annual Best Sommelier competitions of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. In 2008, the contest for Best European Sommelier is being held in Bulgaria from May 15 to 20; it is the first time in the 20 years of its existence that the competition will be held outside of France. read more

The exhibition of Pierre et Gilles at Sofia City Art Gallery marks the first time that the French duo has had a show in Eastern Europe. The artists are best known for their combination of photography with painting, using pop culture, religious, Classical and kitsch motifs that all come together for a sort of surrealist adult fairytale. At a news conference held at the gallery the morning of May 9, the day before the exhibition opened to the public, French ambassador to Bulgaria Etienne de Poncins said that this was the “flagship moment” for the embassy and the French Institute this year. read more

Public-private partnerships and extra-curricular activities are the key to improving the current state of education in Bulgaria, participants in a news conference for the third Festival of Bulgarian Education said at BTA on May 8. The festival takes place at NDK (the National Palace of Culture) in Sofia from May 9 to 11, from 10am to 7pm every day. read more