Storms, a risky driver, and Children's Day

Bulgaria's meteorological service has issued a yellow warning for 23 districts, including Shumen, Targovishte and Burgas, for Tuesday 2 June. Heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail are expected, particularly in the Central Balkan region and southwestern Bulgaria. Localised flooding and reduced visibility are likely, with dangerous driving conditions due to aquaplaning. Temperatures will range from 21–29°C, with Shumen expected to see highs around 24–25°C. Mountain hikers should exercise caution as torrential rain and hail are forecast above 1,200 metres.

The children's dance ensemble Veselyache will perform a 60th-anniversary concert at Shumen's Summer Theatre on 1 June at 19:00. Over 120 children from all five age groups will present folk dances from across Bulgaria. The Shumen Folk Song and Dance Ensemble will also perform, and Lyubcho Vasilev, deputy chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Music and Dance Workers, will attend as special guest. The ensemble was founded in 1965 and has been directed by Boryana Koleva for the past 20 years.

Shumen police have identified a 22-year-old driver from Smyadovo who fled after a high-speed chase through the city centre on 28 May. He was spotted just after 23:00 on Slavyanski Boulevard, driving erratically without a seatbelt. When police pursued him with lights and sirens, he accelerated, changed direction abruptly, violated road markings, overtook dangerously in a roundabout on Bulgaria Square, and entered a one-way street against traffic on Preslav Street. He was issued an act removing nearly 30 penalty points. The driver already had seven previous acts and 18 speeding fines on record, with his first violation recorded when he was an unlicensed driver.

Shumen mayor Prof. Hristo Hristov met with Her Excellency Sayanaa Lhagvasuuren, ambassador of Mongolia to Bulgaria, on 1 June. The meeting took place in the context of Mongolia's Naadam national holiday, one of the country's most significant festivals. Discussion focused on the strong relations between Bulgaria and Mongolia and opportunities for cultural and institutional exchange. The ambassador was also an official guest at Shumen's 11 May city day, where Bulgarian children performed Shumen's anthem in her honour. 2026 marks 75 years since diplomatic relations were established between Bulgaria and Mongolia.

Five-year-old Raya won Shumen's first theatrical costume competition, dressed as Snow White. The contest, organised by the Vasil Drumev Drama Theatre, saw dozens of children compete in costumes inspired by superheroes, fairy tales and comic book characters. Raya's prize: a golden card for free theatre visits for a year. The event aimed to bring children closer to the theatre, not just on Children's Day but throughout the year.

Medical students from Shumen's branch of Medical University–Varna visited a military equipment display on 1 June. The exhibition, led by assistant professor Radostina Zhecheva, featured artillery systems, small arms, and a kamikaze drone weighing up to a kilogram. Junior sergeant Plamen Marinov explained the drone's use against both personnel and armoured vehicles. Students invited the soldiers to tour the medical campus in return.

Shumen's City Garden hosted traditional Children's Day celebrations on 1 June, organised by the United Children's Complex 'Anastas Stoyanov' and the 'Han Krum' Sports School. Events included football, volleyball, shooting at targets, cycling slalom, chess and darts. Art workshops and creative activities were also on offer. A bicycle was awarded as the grand prize in a raffle. Director Ivanka Krumova of 'Han Krum' said the aim was to include sports children don't normally practise.