Varna = Barna

"Yo soy de Varna!", when I present my origin to people in Barcelona, they are shocked that I am from Barna! The locals call their city "Barna" for short and because the sound "V" is pronounced like "B" in Spanish (and also in Catalan), it sounds exactly like saying I'm from Barna!

Well, after explaining that I'm from the "other" Barna on the other side, I clarify that there is indeed a connection between these two sea capitals - one is the largest port Now, after explaining that I come from the "other" Barna on the other side, I clarify that there is indeed a connection between these two sea capitals - one is the largest port city in Spain and the other is the largest port city in Bulgaria and since 2009 they have the status of brother city*.

On the official website of the Municipality of Varna, Bulgaria, the following text can be read:

"The cooperation agreement between the Municipality of Varna and the Municipal Agency for Urban Reconstruction and Development of Barcelona was signed in 2009. The main areas for exchange of good practices are related to urban planning and mobility; port activity; technical assistance in the transformation of the urban environment."

Source as on 11 FEB 2023: https://live.varna.bg/bg/Varna-worldwide/pobratimeni-gradove/preview/109.html

Both cities have an almost identical coastal angle and only a few degrees difference in their latitudes: Varna 43.21 and Barcelona 41.38. Only 2 degrees! I hope that this interesting fact will arouse some people's curiosity and they will go on their own journey of discovery! *We can also call them sister cities, but that's another topic ;)