It was organized for the first time in 1973 under the name “Songs for Burgas, the sea and its working people” by Burgas orchestra in Open Air Theatre. After 13 editions, it made a short break. The contest was restored by Hot Sand in 1996 under the name “Burgas and the Sea” and since then it has been held every year. The contest inherited traditions of “Songs for Burgas, the sea and its working people” and it helped many Bulgarian composers, lyricists and performers get a break and create iconic Bulgarian songs.