Are Bulgaria’s summer festivals a cause for celebration or noise complaints?
Plovdiv takes the top spot on the list with an average of 218 monthly noise complaints per 100,000 during the summer. The Hills of Rock festival and other events at the Ancient Theatre contribute significantly to the noise levels, causing residents in nearby areas like Kapana and Marasha to have sleepless nights and endure booming bass sounds that reach far distances.
Locally, common search terms include “noise complaint after 10 pm” and “noise law festivals.”
2. Varna – 204 average monthly complaints per 100 000 in the summer
Varna’s Sea Garden transforms into a hub for various performances during the summer, attracting both tourists and artists. However, this transformation has raised concerns among locals, particularly those residing near the city centre and coastal promenades.
3. Burgas – 196 average monthly complaints per 100 000 in the summer
Burgas hosts significant events like the SPICE music festival and the Burgas Rock & More festival, held in areas close to the sea garden and stadium. Residents express worries about late-night concerts that extend well beyond midnight.
The increasing concerns about noise levels during festivals led Eng. PhD. Tsvetan Nedkov, the founder of DECIBEL, to underscore the importance of addressing acoustics at such events. He emphasized that while festivals are a source of cultural pride and economic growth, they must be handled acoustically. Prolonged exposure to high decibels without appropriate sound mitigation can impact residents’ sleep, mental well-being, and lead to long-term hearing issues. Nedkov suggested measures like modern acoustic barriers, scheduling restrictions, and allocating festival zones away from densely populated areas to mitigate noise disturbances.
In terms of legal regulations, the Bulgarian Environmental Noise Regulation (Regulation No. 6 of 2006) stipulates that noise levels in residential areas should not exceed specific thresholds during designated time frames. However, exemptions are often made for festivals and cultural events, especially in municipalities aiming to boost tourism.
To conduct their analysis, data was gathered from Google Trends and the Google Keyword Planner for 10 Bulgarian cities hosting major summer events. Average monthly search volumes (June to August) for keywords related to noise complaints were compared to the local population to determine complaints per capita rate.
While festivals bring joy and visitors to Bulgaria every summer, they also exacerbate urban noise issues. By implementing proper planning and sound insulation strategies, it’s possible to strike a balance between celebration and tranquillity during these events.