Capybara vs. Seagull: Burgas Debates Eurovision Mascot

Burgas is already debating what could become the face of Eurovision 2027, with two very different mascot ideas emerging from local institutions: a capybara named Kapi and a colorful seagull-inspired character called Euroglarus.

The first proposal comes from Burgas Zoo, which wants Kapi the capybara to become one of the symbols of next year's contest. The animal has no natural connection to the Black Sea city, but the zoo says that is part of the concept. Eurovision brings together countries, cultures and people from across Europe, while the capybara can represent calmness, friendliness, acceptance and positive energy.

The proposal also draws on the animal's huge popularity online. Capybaras have become a recognizable social media phenomenon, and the zoo believes Kapi could appeal to international audiences through its relaxed personality, distinctive appearance and positive image.

“You don’t have to be the loudest to get noticed. Sometimes it’s enough to just have charisma,” reads the message behind the Burgas Zoo proposal.

The second idea is much more closely tied to Burgas itself. The State Puppet Theater in Burgas has proposed Euroglarus, a mascot inspired by the city's iconic seagulls and a character from the theater's street performance “Burgas Glarusi.”

Euroglarus is presented as an eye-catching puppet on stilts. The character was created according to an idea by, and under the direction of, director Petar Todorov. The theater believes the puppet character could be transformed specifically for Eurovision and become a distinctive symbol of the host city.

The theater argues that the seagull is a natural representation of Burgas because it is freedom-loving, colorful and artistic, while its distinctive cry is an unmistakable part of everyday life along the coast.

“We think there is no more suitable mascot or talisman of Eurovision and a symbol of Burgas than the Burgas Glarus,” the theater said.

According to the theater, the puppets created by the institution are particularly suited to bringing the character to life on the international stage. The seagull's characteristic “musical” voice, meanwhile, is described as a kind of sound trademark of Burgas.

The Euroglarus proposal has already attracted attention beyond Bulgaria, with images of the character appearing on international platforms, according to the Burgas Municipality.

The two proposals reflect two contrasting ways of presenting Burgas to the European audience. Euroglarus emphasizes local identity and the city's distinctive character, while Kapi offers a more universal image based on internet culture and the capybara's global popularity.

The mascot debate comes only days after Burgas was selected to host Eurovision 2027, beginning preparations for the contest scheduled for May next year. The competition between Kapi and Euroglarus is currently a contest of ideas rather than an official mascot selection. There is no indication that Eurovision 2027 organizers have approved either proposal.

The Eurovision decision has already generated strong interest in the region beyond the mascot discussion. Hotels, particularly in the Sunny Beach resort area, began receiving accommodation inquiries almost immediately after Burgas was announced as the host city. Hoteliers said the number of requests grew sharply within three to four days, with much of the interest coming from visitors from across Europe.

For now, Burgas has two possible faces for its Eurovision moment: one is a globally popular animal known for its calm charisma, while the other is a distinctly local character that brings one of the city's most recognizable sights to the Eurovision stage.