On the 17th of May 2026, the second edition of the Health Festival took place in the village of Bryagovo – an initiative under the 4P-CAN project of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv. The event brought together scientists, doctors, experts, and local residents in a discussion about prevention, healthy lifestyles, and personal responsibility for health. Nearly 30 people participated in the event, and attendees described the meeting as highly useful, engaging, and accessible.
The event opened with a musical surprise by the Terziyski Trio, who welcomed guests with classical pieces performed on violin, viola, and cello.
Prevention starts in everyday life
Under the motto “Health Grows from the Roots,” the festival focused on the connection between daily habits, awareness, and long-term quality of life. In total, participants could hear the presentations and content of 6 different lectures given by experts:
Prof. Ivan Chalakov, head of the Bulgarian research group, presented the first results of a sociological study conducted among the residents of Bryagovo. The study examined attitudes toward prevention, eating habits, awareness of health risks, and perceptions of preventive healthcare.
Particular interest was sparked by the interactive presentation of the data, in which local residents actively participated. Through a game with questions and prizes, participants interpreted the survey results, while messages such as “Mr. Radon Doesn’t Ask – He Just Enters,” “Mr. Appetite Loves Healthy Food,” and “Sitting Is Not a Sport” naturally opened discussions about invisible everyday health risks.
The second lecture was given by Dr. Atanas Terziyski and was dedicated to radon – a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is a risk factor for cancer development and is linked to uranium deposits in the region. He explained the origin of radon, how its concentration is measured, and the ways risks can be reduced in residential environments. Research data showed that many people still do not recognise radon as a potential health risk, making the topic one of the most discussed during the festival.
Then, a lecture by nutritionist Elena Terzieva also attracted interest, focusing on nutrition and daily habits as the foundation of prevention. She discussed the role of natural food, physical activity, and lifestyle in strengthening the body’s defense mechanisms and reducing the risk of chronic and oncological diseases. In the context of the presented sociological study, one positive trend among local residents was highlighted – the preserved tradition of consuming home-produced food and maintaining a more natural diet.
Another impactful lecture for the audience was delivered by Gergana Bogdanova from the “One of 8” Foundation, focusing on prevention, personal responsibility, and early diagnosis of breast cancer. She emphasized the importance of women knowing their bodies, not postponing preventive examinations, and overcoming the fear of visiting a doctor. Bogdanova also presented the eZdrave mobile application, which allows people to more easily track their health information and access their electronic medical records. During the meeting, she stressed that prevention begins not in the hospital, but in everyday choices and habits.
A fifth lecture was given by molecular geneticist Dr. Lyubomir Balabanski, who explained in an accessible way what information human DNA carries and how genetics influences health and the risk of certain diseases. He shared examples from his own research on centenarians in Bulgaria and revealed insights into the secrets of longevity. Among the facts that impressed the audience most was the explanation that susceptibility to alcohol addiction may also have a hereditary component. Balabanski further explored the relationship between genetic predisposition, lifestyle, and prevention, emphasizing that understanding individual risk can support earlier prevention and better health decisions.
Finally, neurologist Dr. Chenko Chalakov presented risk factors and early symptoms of cerebrovascular diseases. At the end of the event, he conducted individual consultations with local residents.
The second edition of the Health Festival in Bryagovo concluded with the team’s commitment to continue organizing new meetings, lectures, and activities focused on prevention and health awareness.
