Sofia’s Armeec Arena will be the venue for Bulgaria’s first hosting of a Eurovision event, when the Junior Eurovision Song Contest takes place later this year. The adapted logo for 2015 presents the event as ‘Bulgaria 2015’, rather than specifically Sofia, as the intention is to consider it a nationwide event.
Runners-up at Junior Eurovision 2014, Bulgaria’s BNT have taken on the mantle of hosting in 2015 following Italy declining the opportunity. The event will be held on 21 November, provisionally at 19:30cet.
The Armeec Arena was opened in 2011 and has a maximum seating capacity of 15,000, although this shall need to be reduced in order to fit the stage and technical equipment necessary for the staging and broadcasting of the event.
BNT Director General, Vyara Ankova stated with great enthusiasm the opportunity they have been granted, thanks to the runner-up successes of Krisia, Hassan and Ibrahim in Malta. “This is a unique chance for BNT and Bulgaria to host one of the most prestigious music competitions in Europe. We loved participating in the 2014 event put on by PBS Malta and were very impressed by the renewed energy, commitment and enormous talents of the children. We believe that Bulgaria, as the host country, will be a new platform to young talent from all over Europe while enlightening them to the beauty and traditions of our country.”
Eight nations are already slated to compete, including debutants Ireland. With Albania making a return, it is possible that the sum of entries will exceed 2014’s sixteen.
Inside Sofia’s Armeec Arena
