March – April 
Spring Art Salon

Venue: Radio Varna, City Art Gallery
Organizer: Varna Municipality, Culture and Intellectual Development Directorate

March 
International Sofia Film Fest

The festival was founded in 2010 under the iniatiative of the film company "Aleksandar Nikolov – Artin" OOD and "Art Fest" EOOD. The programme presents the newest trends of the world, European and Bulgarian film art. 
Organizer: "Aleksandar Nikolov – Artin" OOD and "Art Fest" EOOD 
For contact: Aleksandar Nikolov – mob. 0899393342; http://www.artinvision.bg/

May
Cultural program for the opening of the tourist season

Organizer: Varna Municipality, Tourism Directorate 
For contact: 052 820 534, sdgeorgieva@varna.bg

May
NIGHT OF LITERATURE

Venue: “P. R. Slaveikov” Regional Library, bookstores, art cafes, schools and more.
Organizer: Varna Municipality, “Amorfa” Youth Foundation
Contact person: Maria Badzhakova, 0889 305 824, amorpha.youth.group@gmail.com

May
INTERNATIONAL POP MUSIC FESTIVAL “DISCOVERY”

Venue: Drama Theater 
Organizer: Discovery Foundation
For contact: Dono Tsvetkov - tel.52 / 300 201; mob. 0888 212 414; 
e-mail: festival@discoveryfest.com

May 
SLAVIC EMBRACE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF POETRY

It is an international project which pilot edition was set in Varna in 2007. In the same year the Slavic Literary and Artistic Academy was established as well. Today it has branches in all 11 Slavic countries as well as in 5 other European states. The main purpose of this forum is to bring closer the cultural values on the basis of the common proto-language and cultural heritage of Slavs. The two international prizes Flying Feather and Slavonic Atlas are awarded in Varna. Such festivals are organized not only in Varna but in Warsaw, Moscow, Riga, Belgrade and other cities. Their programmes include round tables, concerts, authors readings, chamber theater performances, exhibitions of translated and published books, exchange of leading art-editions in the Slavic world. The international festival of poetry is held annually featuring authors from most of Slavic countries – Bulgaria, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia. 
Venue: Radio Varna, City Art Gallery
Organizer: Slavic Literary and Artistic Academy
For contact: Elka Nyagolova – tel. 052 602 014; mob. 0888 840 106; 
e-mail cavaletvarna@gmail.bg 

May – June 
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPH SALON 

Established in 2003 as a national photograph salon, in 2007 it turned into an international event held annually, featuring professional and amateur photographers from all over the world. 
Venue: City Art Gallery 
Organizer: Civic Society International Photograph Salon
For contact: Ivan Germanov – mob. 0882 123 477May – September 
 

CONCERTS ON THE RAKOVINA OUTDOOR STAGE

Performances by choral, folk, instrumental, pop and jazz ensembles and bands, as well as individual performances.
Venue: Rakovina Open-air stage, Sea Garden
Organizer: Varna Municipality, Culture and Intellectual Development Directorate 
For contact: Zhivko Kozhuharov– 052/820 672; 0889 919 428, art_kojuharov@outlook.com

1-11 June 
VARNA SUMMER INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL 
    
The Varna Summer International Theater Festival is the theater event of largest international dimensions in Bulgaria. It is held every year between 1 and 11 June in Varna within the framework of the Varna Summer Festival of Arts. Its main purpose is to present the leading trends of Bulgarian and international stage practice and to create a space for intercultural dialogue, exchange and to be a showcase. The program is structures as a mosaic of modules. "Selected Bulgarian Performances" is focused on the achievements of Bulgarian scene during the current season. The international selection presents a variety of stage forms and leading trends from Europe and the world. The Showcase program focuses on innovative productions of contemporary theater, dance and performance presented to international theater managers. The parallel program is open to a variety of partner initiatives, discussions, workshops, theoretical conferences, lectures, book presentations, exhibitions and concerts.
Venues: Drama Theater, State Puppet Theater – Varna, City Art Gallery, Archeological Museum and others 
Organizers: Via Fest Foundation - Varna Summer International Theater Festival
Partners: Ministry of Culture, Varna Municipality
For contact:  tel. 02/988 44 82; email: bat@omega.bg; www.viafest.org 

June 
NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ETHNIC COMMUNITIES “BULGARIA FOR ALL”

Forum presenting the performing mastery of representatives from different ethnic groups.
Venue: Open-air Theater
Organizers: Ministry of Culture, Varna Municipality,PCS-Varna, Grand Mall, Public Cultural Center “Hr. Botev 1928” 
For contact: Frantsiska Yordanova - tel. 052/613 144; mob. 0898 231 201; 
e-mail: h.botev.varna@gbg.bg 

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SLAVIC WREATH

Music Around Us
The festiva involves children’s, youth groups and soloists from the countries of CIS and Europe. The goal is to show their skills and to get acquainted with the work of other teams.
To share experiences and find many new friends - these are the main goals of the festival’s organizers. Children with disabilities are also invited to the festival to stimulate the development of artistic creativity as a means of their rehabilitation and social adaptation.
Venue: Albatross International Children's Camp in St. St. Konstantin and Elena Resort 
Organizer: TO Tural Management
For contact: +359  605 978, +359 8933531136, e-mail: info@tural.bg 

22 June – October
98 YEARS “VARNA SUMMER” INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 

The “Varna Summer” International Music Festival is the first music festival in Bulgaria, founded in 1926 in the city of Varna.
Almost 100 years ago, just after the official opening of the Varna’s Sea Baths in 1926 - the first SPA center in the sea town, emblematic personalities of Varna society at that time, among them the composers Pancho Vladigerov and Dobri Hristov, set the beginning of the first in the country music celebrations, which later became the biggest International Music Festival in Bulgaria. 
Having received national and international recognition, today the Festival is a representative forum of Bulgarian and world music and music performing art.
The Festival has multi-genre character and includes the following modules:
Core Program – symphony and chamber music 
International Summer Music Academy
Music Lab – Varna 
Renaissance and Baroque Music
Opera and Ballet
Crossover 
Intermezzo – in partnership with the “Varna Summer” International Theater Festival  
“Varna Summer for Kids” - series of educational concerts 
Parallel Program – exhibitions, films, conferences and others
The Artistic Director in 2019 and 2020 was Prof. Mario Hossen.   
Venues: Festival and Congress Center, City Art Gallery, Open-air Theater, Aula of the University of Economic, courtyard of the Archaeological Museum  
Organizer: Varna Municipality, Culture Directorate 
For contact: Plamena Tsoneva – tel. 052 820 669; mob. 0888630092;
e-mail: tsoneva@varnasummerfest.org http://varnasummerfest.org     

20 - 23 June
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF RED CROSS AND HEALTH FILMS

Organizer: Festival of Red Cross and Health Films Union
For contacts: Ilia Raev – mob. 0884111234

30 May – 2 June 
TALE for YOU CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL 

Venue: Youth Center
Organizer: Public cultural club “Vazrozhdenie 1870”
For contact: Radost Lilyanova – mob. 0889 764 086

10 -12 June 
TRADITIONAL FEAST ASPARUHOVO SINGS AND DANCES

It is held annually on the first Saturday and Sunday of June. Its first edition was in 1966. The programme features ensembles from Prosveta Public Cultural Center, from the schools of the district, pensioners’ clubs and from the whole Asparuhovo district. There are different stages – for rock, pop and folk performances presented by guest amateurs from the whole country. The feast ends with a big concert by professional Bulgarian pop singers. This year we celebrate 110th anniversary of the district's establishment. 
Venue: Asparuhovo Park
Organizers: “Prosveta 1927” Public Cultural Center and Asparuhovo District 
For contact: Lyubka Todorova, Secretary of Public Cultural Center, tel.: 052/370 934, mob. 0899 950 506; e-mail: prochi@abv.bg 


July 
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 

Established in 1992, it is held annually featuring world famous musicians from Bulgaria and abroad. Besides the joint international projects the festival includes a programme of young jazz musicians from Bulgaria.
Venue: Courtyard of the Archeological Museum
Organizer: Varna Jazz Society 
For contact: Anatoly Vapirov – tel. 052/ 820 745; mob. 0888 303 381; e-mail: vapirov@telecoms.bg 

29 July – 1 August 
BOOK FAIR 

Within this period the center of the city turns into a fabulous book quarter with 15 pavilions for books and a literary corner where in the evenings people can gather together and talk with some of the most popular Bulgarian writers.
Venue: walking alley of Slivnitsa Blvd. between Sevastopol Sq. and Festival and Congress Center
Organizer: Varna Municipality and Bulgarian Book Association 
For contact: Georgi Venin, mob. 0882 590 970; g.venin@gmail.bg; 

June – August
15 EDITION OF THE OPERA IN THE OPEN-AIR THEATER 

Venue: Open-air Theater
Organizer: Varna Municipality, Varna State Opera
For contact: 052 665 020, 052 650 666;
e-mail: tickets@operavarna.bg; http://www.operavarna.com

29 July – 1 August 
VARNA SUMMER INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL 
Established in 1992 by Varna Municipality, it is held every year in the first week of August. According to the regulations of the festival, youth and adult ensembles from all over the world as well as groups for authentic folklore art are admitted to participation. 
Venues: Open-air Theater, Rakovina Stage and outdoor stages in the city 
Organizer: Varna Municipality 
For contact: Zhasmina Vasileva –tel. 052/ 820 667; Mob. 0889 919 414; e-mail:office@varnafolk.org www.varnafolk.org

August 
INTERNATIONAL FAIR OF CRAFTS AND ARTS 
The International Fair of Arts and Crafts is the largest art exhibition in Bulgaria. It is held annually in August in Varna. 
Venue: Sea Garden
Organizer: Bulgarika Association
For contact: Veselina Savova – tel. 052 605 430; GSM 0898 522 133; e-mail: vsavova@bulgarika.eu

August
YOUTH FESTIVAL OF ARTS "JOURNEY TO THE PAST"
The festival is an annual event with a multi-genres character including music, dance, theater, visual arts, educational documentaries. It features creative youth formations from the city of Varna.
Organizer:  Palas Studio in partnership with Balgaran Theater and Historical Museum of Varna.
Venues: museums in the city of Varna, Balgaran Theater, Sea Garden
For contact: Krasimir Yanev, tel. 0888 60 61 68.
E-mail: palasbg@abv.bg
Web: https://festivalpatuvane.alle.bg/

August
RADAR FESTIVAL 
The festival aims to expand the boundaries of cultural life in Varna, to present musical projects, in which a variety of artistic forms meet in a coherent way, such as film, video art, poetry, contemporary theater and dance, and perhaps the most creative sector in our modern life - technologies.
Venue: various urban spaces in Varna
Organizer: Sidea Foundation; radar-festival@mail.com, tel: 883 34 13 27, 
address: Varna, 42, F. G. Curie Str, https://radar-festival.eu

August
NATIONAL FAIR OF AUTHENTIC FOLKLORE 

Venue: Outdoor stage in the village of Topoli
Organizer: Public cultural club “St. St. Cyril and Methodius 1927” Topoli village 
 
August  
LOVE IS FOLLY INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST
The festival was established in 1993. The programme is a competitive one and features selected films produced in the last two years dealing with the subject of love. Its start is given every last Friday of August of each year. 
Venue: Festival and Congress Center
Organizer: Festival and Congress Center; co-organizer: Varna Municipality
For contact: http://loveisfolly.com.  e-mail:fk@mail.orbitel.bg

August 
The Quarantine International Film Festival 

“The Quarantine” is an international short film festival aimed at popularizing young and unknown authors. The festival takes place on the beach at “The Quarantine” fishing village which is the last standing fishing village in Varna, Bulgaria. The name of the "Quarantine" area comes from the history of Varna and the isolation of the arriving crews coming from the sea with suspicions of disease. By analogy with the present, young filmmakers are still in such isolation today. They are in a state of quarantine, isolated from the cinema environment. The festival is organized by the art school “Dedalus” which is an association working in favor of society since 2009. The association is a place for creative performances and cultural exchange, to meet representatives of different cultures, ethnic groups, religions, encouraging and promoting the creative views of authors from all over the world. It also supports the preservation of the authenticity of cultural and historical heritage of Varna.
Venue: Asparuhovo District, Quarantine fishers’ village
For contact: Darin Sotirov, 0888 240605, dedalgroup@mail.bg, www.thequarantine.org

August 
International Kite Festival - "Air Wonders" 

Traditionally, the Kite festival "Air Wonders" is held in late August, when the city attracts many guests from the country and abroad. Kites festivals are an excellent opportunity to encourage creativity and imagination, to publicize socially significant causes and to strengthen family ties. The Air Wonders Kite Festival is one of the favorites emblematic events in the sea capital - an attraction for the thousands of residents and guests of the city in the middle of summer. With its international character, this innovative and attractive cultural event contributes a lot to the further building of the specific city image. The festival contributes to the social inclusion of various groups and to instill in participants a love for flying, birds and freedom and responsibility for environmental protection.
Venue: Asparuhovo Park
For contact: Yuriy Ivanov Georgiev – manager, 0889705479, asto@abv.bg, http://kitesfest.com/

August 
"Open-air Cinema in the Residental District" 

City festival of cinema, music and performing arts.
Venue: Different out-door locations in the neighborhoods of Varna, Roman baths, Archaeological Museum, Varna beach Organizer: B2B Ltd.
For contact: Nikolay Todorov, 0876573797, info@liatnokino.com, www.liatnokino.com

12-15 September
42 INTERNATIONAL MAY CHOIR COMPETITION PROF. GEORGI DIMITROV and 4th  National Festival of Children’s and Youth Choirs 

In 1982 the competition was named after the prominent Bulgarian composer Georgi Dimitrov - the founder of the contemporary Bulgarian choral school.
Since 1989 the International May Choir Competition has been a member of the Organizing Committee of the Grand Prix Europe International Contest, held consecutively in Arezzo (Italy), Debrecen (Hungary), Tour (France), Maribor (Slovenia), Varna ) and Tolosa (Spain).
The six above mentioned choir competitions are among the most prestigious in Europe and have gained recognition due to their long tradition, good organization and high artistic level.
Venues: Festival and Congress Center-Varna and outdoor stages
Organizer: Varna Municipality 
For contact: Gancho Ganchev, Chief Expert – tel. 052/ 820 667, mob. 0889 91 94 26; 
e-mail:office@choircomp.org, http://choircomp.org

September 
THE LONGEST DINNER ON THE BEACH 

Venue: Asparuhovo District
Organizer: Varna Municipality, Asparuhovo District

September
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OF VOCAL ART “SEA STARS”

Venue: Public Cultural Club “P.R. Slaveykov”
Organizer: Public Cultural Club “P.R. Slaveykov 1928”
For contact: Maya Drumeva – тел 052 510 306; slaveikov@abv.bg, http://slaveikov1928.org

September 
WORLD FESTIVAL OF ANIMATED FILM VARNA
The World Festival of Animated Film (WFAF) is held every year in September in Varna. The first edition took place in 1979 and six editions were organized until 1989. Since 2011 the festival has been re-established in Varna. The Festival is organized by the World Festival of Animated Film Association in the Festival and Congress Centre in Varna, with the support and patronage of the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, Bulgarian National Film Centre and the Municipality of Varna.
Venue: Festival and Congress Centre
Organizer: World Animated Film Festival Union 
For contact: Anri Kulev – tel. 0888 614 884, e-mail: fk@mail.orbitel.bg; http://www.varnafest.org

October 
EUROPEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL – VARNA 
The festival was established in 2004 under the initiative of Elite Music Agency in partnership with Cantus Firmus. The festival’s programme includes symphony, chamber concerts and recitals.
Organizer:  Elite Music Agency and Cantus Firmus
For contact: Maria Kondova, Elite Music tel. 052 390 801; 0888 322 398 
е-mail: office@elitemusic.bg; www.elitemusic.bg/

October 
GOLDEN ROSE BULGARIAN FEATURE FILM FESTIVAL
The festival was established in 1961. Until 1974, except 1965 (when the Balkan Film Fest had its single edition), it was held every year. A selected jury awards prizes for the best film on contemporary subject, for the best screenplay, best directing, best cameraman, best actress and actor, etc. 
Venue: Festival and Congress Center
Main organizers: Ministry of Culture, National Film Center, BNT
Organizer: Festival and Congress Center with the support of Varna Municipality 
For contact: Irina Kanusheva – mob. 0899 94 30 04; e-mail: nfc@nfc.bg; www.zlatnaroza.bg

October
INTERNATIONAL FLUTE COMPETITION 

The competition has been held since 2016. It was founded under the initiative of the European Music Academy Foundation. Parallel to the competition days, the participants, the guests and the citizens of Varna will see two concerts. The first one – by the jury members to open the event and the second one by the laureates after the award ceremony. The program also includes lectures, creative meetings of participants and jury, as well as presentation of Tomaso Flutes (Vienna).
Organizer: European Music Academy Foundation
For contact: Teodora Dimitrova +359 898 208498 
www.ema.foundation    www.facebook.com/emavarna2015

October
VARNA JAZZ DAYS FESTIVAL 

The mission of VARNA JAZZ DAYS FESTIVAL is to enrich the musical cultural environment in Varna in the field of jazz music, connecting the traditional and the modern. The main goal is to develop a young generation of audiences, as well as those who want to study contemporary musical styles, accepting music as a universal language with common roots.
Organizer: Tune Up EOOD
For contact: Neyko Bodurov, 0894396166, neykobodurov@gmail.com, www.varnajazzdays.com

October - November 
Cinelibri International Film and Literature Festival Varna

Cinelibri is a result of the love for great literature, the magic of cinema and their interaction. The festival relies on the symbiosis cinema - literature - education in order to present completed projects of high artistic value.
Organizer: Cinelibri EOOD
For contact: Zhaklin Vagenshtayn, Yulia Petkova, 0899330444, julia.petkova@colibri.bg

November
AUTUMN SALON OF ART 
Organizer: Varna Municipality, Culture and Intellectual Development Directorate


November 
MOVING BODY - festival for contemporary dance and performance / sixth edition /

Festival platform in the field of contemporary dance and performance, which encourages the career path of young choreographers, dancers and visual artists from Bulgaria and the world and makes access to contemporary dance and performance classes possible for professionals and a wide range of amateurs. The mission is to present dance as a practice that provokes imagination and emotionality and cultivates curiosity and a creative attitude to life.
Venue: State Puppet Theater Varna, Contemporary Space Gallery
Organizer: Performance Room EOOD
For contact: Iskra Prodanova, Artistic Director, 0893430289, www.movingbodyfest.com