For five days in August 2025, the city of Ruse, known as “the Little Vienna” became the meeting point of cultures, faiths, and aspirations. From August 4-8, it hosted Rivers of Peace 2025, an international youth camp for interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The camp was organized by URI Europe and BRIDGES, in partnership with URI Global and four URI Cooperation Circles (CCs) from across Europe.
The aim of the camp was to empower young people to become active agents of peace and understanding, fostering dialogue, social and ecological justice, and intercultural cooperation.
A Gathering of Future Peacemakers
Rivers of Peace 2025 brought together 30 young participants (aged 15-17) from Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Spain, and the Bulgarian school “Ivan Stanchov” in London. Supporting them were 9 dedicated youth facilitators (aged 18-27) from four countries, who played a key role in creating and delivering the camp program.
The camp built on the success of 2024’s Seeding the Peace in The Hague, Netherlands, which inspired new youth initiatives and growing communities of peacebuilders across Europe. This year’s edition emphasized gender, religious, and cultural diversity among participants.
High level representatives from URI Global and URI Europe attended, underscoring the event’s importance in building a global youth leadership network for peace. Notable guests included Daniel Eror (Chair, URI Europe Board), Samira Fatma Baruchia (Regional Coordinator, URI Multiregion and Outreach & Network Vitality), and Eric Roux (Chair, URI Global Council), who traveled from Paris to join the youth in Ruse.
A special highlight of the event was the involvement of HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg Gotha, Guardian of the Bulgarian Crown, who, as a member of BRIDGES’ Board, once again gave his full support to the initiative.
Day 1: Building Trust and Friendships
The camp officially opened on August 4 at 16:30 in the presence of representatives from Ruse Municipality, including Deputy Mayor Mr. Nikola Lazarov, Mrs. Tanya Todorova (Head of Education, Sport and Youth), Mr. Sasho Shterev (Senior Expert, Education Department), and PR representative Mr. Ivan Stefanov.
Angelina Vladikova, Chair of BRIDGES and URI Europe CC Liaison Officer, welcomed the participants with moving words:
“The Danube is the river that unites Europe, flowing through ten countries before reaching the Black Sea. It is a living thread of history and wisdom. May the Rivers of Peace water European soil.”
Mayor Pencho Milkov sent a written message of support:
“Ruse has always been a model of peaceful coexistence. Hosting Rivers of Peace 2025 proves that here, we build bridges of trust and understanding.”
The opening included greetings from facilitators HRH Prince Boris, BRIDGES board members Silvia Trifonova and Petar Gramatikov (URI UN Representative in Geneva), Steven Dias Pires (Colorful Segbroek, Netherlands), Marvina Mansaku (Udhetim I Lire, Albania), Dimitar Borumov, Vladislav Stiyanov and Nona Kuteva (BRIDGES). Followed by the presentation from each participants in the group.
Participants then joined in icebreaker games and communication workshops, receiving eco-friendly t-shirts and water bottles branded with the camp’s logo. The facilitators fostered an inclusive atmosphere where every voice was heard, and every culture respected.
Day 2: Culture and Interreligious Dialogue
The second day focused on spirituality and faith. Participants began with a visit to the Regional Historical Museum, learning about Ruse’s cultural heritage. They then met with leaders from various religious communities:
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At St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Father Valter shared insights into Catholic traditions, community work, and youth engagement. Father Valter warmly welcomed the group of young people and thanked them for what they do and the organizers for choosing Ruse as the place to host this significant international interfaith youth forum.
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At St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Father Stefan introduced the group to Orthodox spirituality and emphasized unity, mutual support, and compassion. His decades-long friendship with Father Valter served as a powerful example of interfaith solidarity. He was extremely happy and moved to see HRH Prince Boris as part of the organizers and congratulate him on the special role he has played in setting up the example for the youth in Bulgaria to build bridges across religions and cultures.
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At the Said Pasha Mosque, Regional Mufti Yucel Hayredin spoke about the Muslim community in Ruse and its strong relationship with the Royal family and other faiths. The Mufti did not fail to highlight the warm relations among religious leaders in Ruse and their custom of sharing major holidays together.
In the afternoon, Samira Baruchia and Daniel Eror led an interfaith workshop using “listening circles,” where participants shared personal stories about their beliefs, traditions, and paths to tolerance.
The day concluded with a group walk through central Ruse and time for informal conversations and reflection.
Day 3: Ecology and Social Engagement
This day was dedicated to environmental justice and civic responsibility.
Chair of the URI Global Eric Roux, who arrived from Paris, joined the group and delivered an encouraging message. He congratulated the youth for their commitment to interfaith dialogue and expressed his joy in seeing so many future leaders from various parts of Europe united by the idea of working together for peace. He shared that among URI initiatives Rivers of Peace was the one summer event he chose to personally attend due to its meaningful purpose.
The day began with a reading of the Nuclear Prayer by URI founder Bishop William Swing in observance of August 6 - Hiroshima Day.
Workshops included:
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“Leadership and Decision Making” with facilitators Steven (Netherlands) and Vladi (Bulgaria), exploring responsible leadership and the role of youth as change-makers.
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“Let’s Act!” by Dimitar and Marvina, guiding participants in designing their own mini-projects on topics such as clean energy, school dialogue, and art for change.
In the afternoon, HRH Prince Boris presented “Green Energy in Motion”, where participants built miniature wind turbines symbolizing a sustainable future and the power of youth-driven energy.
The day concluded with a magical “Nature at Night” session under the stars, led by Ivo Djokin, NASA’s contact person in Bulgaria. Each participant received a certificate as an amateur astronomer.
The evening concluded with a walk along the river and a special evening “Nature at Night”. Another day full of meaning, ideas, and inspiration for a more just and sustainable world.
Day 4: Peace Through Art
The fourth day highlighted art and spirituality as powerful tools for connection.
The morning began with a visit to Basarbovo Monastery, a unique rock monastery with roots in Bulgaria’s medieval past. The monastery is one of two active rock monasteries in Bulgaria. It originated during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (12th-14th century), but the earliest records of it date from the Ottoman tax registers of 1431.
Afterward, participants returned to Ruse for further workshops. In the session “Environmental Awareness and Dilemmas,” led by Dimitar and Marvina, the youth discussed real cases related to climate justice and personal responsibility.
A symbolic boat ride on the Danube followed, connected the camp’s theme with the river’s role to connect and to unite. Guests from Ruse Municipality joined the ride, and each participant received a souvenir from the city. The youth had the opportunity to talk about the significance of the Danube not only as a geographical but also as a cultural and emotional pathway.
Then followed an official meeting at Ruse Municipality between the leadership of BRIDGES, URI Europe, URI Global, with deputy mayors and heads of departments of the Municipality, during which future joint projects and initiatives were discussed. Willingness was expressed to strengthen good relations and reinforce the model of partnership between the non‑governmental sector and regional state administration.
In the evening, the Ruse City Art Gallery hosted a cultural night featuring songs, dances, and performances by participants.
A concert was attended by the religious leaders with whom we had met on previous days: Father Stefan, Father Valter, Father Daraiy, as well as representatives of the cultural community of Ruse. Entirely prepared and led by the participants of the camp, the cultural program became a true palette of diverse performances, music, dance, and songs. Invited to participate besides the camp’s youth from different countries were Armenian priest Father Daraiy and Chair of URI Global Council Eric Roux, who gladly accepted the youth’s invitation and performed their original songs.
The concert program of “Rivers of Peace” concluded with the group performance on stage of John Lennon’s emblematic song “Imagine.” The night ended with a celebratory dinner at the traditional restaurant Chinara, filled with music, gratitude, and emotion.
Day 5: Reflections and Certificates
The final day was a time for deep reflection and shared gratitude. In the “Final Sharing and Thank Yous” session led by Samira and Dimitar, participants spoke about what they had learned, how they had grown, and what they would carry forward. The sharing was emotional, inspiring, and sincere, and the tears in the participants’ eyes were a testimony to the success of the format.
Certificates of participation and personal letters of appreciation sent from URI youth around the world were presented in an official ceremony. HRH Prince Boris Saxe Coburg-Gotha awarded the youth, while Eric Roux honored the facilitators and organizers.
The Symbolism of the River
The title Rivers of Peace was more than a name - it was the essence of the camp. The river is a living symbol of flow, movement, connection, and transformation. Just as the Danube links ten countries, the participants of this camp journeyed through five days of learning, building bridges between cultures, communities, and themselves.
Special thanks to Ruse Municipality for their invaluable partnership and hospitality. And heartfelt gratitude to every participant, facilitator, speaker, and guest who made Rivers of Peace 2025 not just a camp, but a movement toward a more connected and peaceful world.
