Talyana

„Talyana“ – the creative district of Varna

The Vibrant Creative Hub in Varna is an enchanting district in the heart of the city, nestled within the Old Town. Renowned for its rich cultural and historical heritage, Talyana captivates visitors with a blend of architectural marvels, quaint streets with cafes, restaurants, shops and galleries, in a serene ambiance making it the most romantic area and a cultural and historical focal point.

What Talyana Offers

The inception of Talyana as an art district emerged in 2015, inspired to rejuvenate the neighbourhood and transform it into a cultural hub. The name "Talyana" was chosen to symbolise a trap for fish, aligning with Varna's coastal identity. The vision gained momentum in 2017, developed by the team running the Varna 2017 European Youth Capital (Varna2017 EYCAssociation). The Municipal Council approved the program, funding activities aimed to turn part of the city center into a creative space. The initiative encouraged architects, designers, entrepreneurs, and artists to contribute, fostering over 40 projects and laying the foundation for the artistic zone.

Post-2017, the Varna2017 EYC Association continued its commitment to Talyana's and invited a diverse community of architects, urban planners, designers, IT specialists, historians, artists, and active citizens to found together the Talyana Association. Collaborating with the Municipality of Varna, the new organisation analysed the neighbourhood and formulated a strategic development plan. The Talyana association also spearheaded projects like City Walk and Adoorable, contributing to the district's growth.

In 2019, Talyana twinned with Plovdiv's Kapana, marking the beginning of a network of creative neighbourhoods in Bulgaria.

THE REBONKERS STORY — ONCE UPON A TIME ...

In 2020 Talyana Association teamed up with Varna2017EYC to transform a two centuries old ammunitions warehouse into an alternative space for art and culture in Varna. The place stands out with its unconventional architecture and acoustics – a tunnel-like stone building with a natural green roof. In 2023, the structure marked its 200th anniversary, making it the oldest fully preserved building in the maritime capital. Constructed in 1823 by the Ottoman authorities, the stone edifice originally served as a storage facility for gunpowder. While often referred to as a bunker, the accurate term for the building is a "gunpowder repository.”

Always cool inside, devoid of phone signals, and surrounded by an expansive garden, ReBonkers takes pride in its rich history. In the '90s, it housed the "Bonkers" club, one of Bulgaria's first stages for alternative music, pivotal in the development of bands like Rag Dolls, D2, Babyface Clan, Pyromania, Big Mama Scandal, Slang, and others. At the turn of the millennium, the "bunker" fell into disrepair, becoming a makeshift home for the homeless.

Since 2020, with its brief yet impactful existence, ReBonkers has successfully hosted over 200 events featuring 500 artists from Varna, Bulgaria, and around the world. Its program is multidisciplinary, encompassing contemporary theatre and dance, cinema, experimental music, literature, and discussions on social themes, with a primary focus on contemporary visual arts.

Talyana stands as a testament to the power of collective vision, community engagement, and the transformative potential of creative spaces. The Association successfully utilises innovation and art to preserve the city's architectural heritage and introduce audiences to new and diverse forms of cultural consumption. These methods allow to create new image of the urban heart, breathing life into the neighbourhood and establishing itself as a vibrant center for culture, communication, and entertainment.