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Candidature of Varna for European
Capital of Culture |
It was launched on 13
June 1985 by the Greek minister of
culture, the famous actress and singer,
Melina Mercouri. Initially, the
initiative was called European City of
Culture in a special motion of the
Council of Ministers of the Union.
The official document stated that the
European City of Culture was to present
a culture which in its historical roots
and contemporary development was
characterized both by common elements
and a heritage which had been due to
differences. |
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MORE INFO |
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Bulgaria’s European Capital of Culture |
In 2019, a Bulgarian
city and a Italian city will be the
European Capitals of Culture. The
designation procedures are described in
Decision No 1622 of 24 October 2006 by
the European Parliament and the Council
of the European Union.
The applications are assessed by a
special commission of 13 members. Seven
of them are from European institutions
and six are appointed by the
applicant-country. |
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MORE INFO |
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Cultural Calendar of the Varna Municipality 2012 |
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January 6
EPIPHANY
164th ANNIVERSARY OF HRISTO BOTEV
As a tradition on this day wreaths are laid at
the monument of Hristo Botev in the Seaside
Garden. It is followed by the ritual on the
beach where a cross is cast into the water of
the Varna Bay.
February 19
139 YEARS FROM THE DEATH
OF VASIL LEVSKI
Laying wreaths at the monument of Vasil Levski
in the Seaside Garden. Literary contest
dedicated to the Third of March.
March 1
DAY OF AMATEUR ARTS
Concert
March 3
BULGARIAN NATIONAL HOLIDAY
134 YEARS FROM THE LIBERATION OF BULGARIA FROM
OTTOMAN RULE
A commemoration ceremony at the Monument of
Russian Soldiers in the Seaside Garden,
concerts, exhibition
March 25 – April 15
EUROPEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
This festival of music art was established in
2004. It is an annual one and is held in March
and April. Its ninth edition will be held in the
period 25 March – 15 April 2012. Organizer –
Elite Music Agency, Cantus Firmus, Varna
Municipality.
April 8
CONCERT DEDICATED TO THE
INTERNATIONAL ROMANI DAY
April 20
136th ANNIVERSARY OF THE
APRIL UPRISING
A commemoration ceremony at the Monument of
Georgi Benkovski in the Seaside Garden.
April 15
EASTER
Easter liturgy. Open-air concerts
May - September
CONCERTS ON THE RAKOVINA
STAGE
From the beginning of May until the end of
September every Friday, Saturday and Sunday solo
performers and ensembles present folk
performances, songs, choral and instrumental
performances, pop and jazz.
May 1
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY
Concert dedicated to the International Labour
Day
May 1 – 31
MAY SALON OF ARTS
The first edition of the May Salon of Arts was
in 2001.
May 5 and 6
13th MODERN BALLET
NATIONAL FESTIVAL-COMPETITION
A forum promoting young talents in the field of
the modern ballet. It is held in two rounds –
for children and for youths. Organizer – Hristo
Botev Public Cultural Center – Frantsiska
Yordanova – tel. 052/613 146. Co-organizer –
Varna Municipality.
May 6
ST. GEORGE’S DAY – DAY OF
THE BULGARIAN ARMY
Church Service and military parade of Bulgarian
Army
May 4 – 6
SEA AND MEMORIES
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Festival was founded in 1998 under the
initiative of Presto Music House managed by
Yordan Popov and Vasil Levski Public Cultural
Center with the support of Varna Municipality.
It is held annually within three days in the
middle of May. Originally the Festival was
national, but after 1999 it developed into an
international one. The main purpose of the
organizers is to promote the pop music created
between 1940 and 1980. The festival programme is
in two parts – competition between Bulgarian
amateur ensembles and recitals of foreign
participants. Since 2006 the participants from
abroad also have had the right to take part in
the competition programme. In the beginning the
Festival took place in Stoyan Bachvarov Drama
Theater and Filial Stage, and since 2007 – in
the Festival and Congress Center-Varna.
May 9
EUROPE DAY
May 10 - 13
XXХIV INTERNATIONAL MAY
CHOIR COMPETITION PROF. GEORGI DIMITROV
Since 1967 the Competition has been held under
the name May Choir Festival. The main organizers
were the Center for Amateur Art and the Regional
Council for Culture. After 1989 the main
organizer is the Varna Municipality in
cooperation with the Ministry of Culture,
Bulgarian Choral Union, Union of Bulgarian
Composers. In 1973 after a resolution of the
Secretariat of the Bulgarian Communist Party it
was decided that “an International Choir
Competition will be held in May every other year
in the city of Varna”. In 1975 the first
International Competition was held. The
Competition is a member of the Organizing
Committee of the International Association
awarding the European Grand Prix for Choral
Singing – a competition which is held in Arezzo
(Italy), Debrecen (Hungary), Tours (France),
Varna (Bulgaria), Tolosa (Spain) and Maribor
(Slovenia). The concerts are in the Festival and
Congress Center (Hall 1 – 800 seats)
May 18 – 20
INTERNATIONAL POP MUSIC
FESTIVAL – DISCOVERY
The International Pop Music Festival – Discovery
was established in 1991 under the initiative of
Dono Tsvetkov and his Music Studio Da. Its first
edition was in the beginning of 1992. Since then
it has been held every year in the period
January – March within three days and since 2003
– in May. Until 1997 the festival featured
promotion of music projects, theater
performances, books and national competition for
pop performers. Since 1998 an international
competition for pop performers has been held as
well and since 1999 the programme has been
enriched with an international pop song contest.
Initially the festival took place in the
Festival and Congress Center and since 1998 – in
the Drama Theater.
May 20 – 27
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 cultures, exchange of
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. Organizer – Varna Municipality. Project
Manager – Elka Nyagolova.
May 23
VARNA PRIZE AWARDING
CEREMONY
As a tradition on the eve of the Bulgarian
Education and Culture, and Slavic Script Day
according to the resolution of the Municipal
Council – Varna, the Mayor awards the Varna
Prize to artists, scientists, teachers, head
teachers and distinguished students. A Honorary
Sign with a Ribbon of Mayor is also awarded both
as a individual and collective prizes.
May 24
BULGARIAN EDUCATION AND
CULTURE, AND SLAVIC SCRIPT DAY
Festive procession and official concert.
June 1-11
VARNA SUMMER INTERNATIONAL
THEATER FESTIVAL 2012 – 20TH EDITION
The festival programme is a subject of selection
corresponding to the modules in and off featured
in the programme as well as with the envisaged
seminars, meetings, presentations of actors,
directors, etc. by the Bulgarian Theater
Association, represented by its Art Director Ms.
Tsvetana Maneva and by the person making the
selection of Bulgarian performances, who is
elected every year by the assembly of theaters
members of BTA. The selection of Bulgarian
performances for the official programme is made
by March 20 of the calendar year. The
International Theater Festival is held annually
from 1 to 11 June. It is held in the city of
Varna and the venues are – Drama Theater, Puppet
Theater, City Art Gallery, Regional Historical
Museum. Within 11 days on the stages – hosts of
the ITF – about 35-45 performances are
presented, included in the various modules of
the fest. The festival programme includes:
selection of Bulgarian performances – up to 10
titles from the last theater season. Each year
the selection is made by a different person,
elected by the general Assembly of Bulgarian
Theater Association held in the last day of the
previous festival. Responsible for the selection
of 2012 is Ass. Prof. Veneta Doycheva; the
selection of foreign performances is made mainly
by the Artistic Director of the festival – Ms.
Tsvetana Maneva. Module with children’s
performances – recent years it has become a
permanent part of the festival; specially
invited performances – by the decision of the
management of BAT and the Festival Office;
performances under different programmes – each
year these programmes and their possible
presence in the festival programme are
determined individually; seminars, discussions,
exhibitions; presentation of young directors’
projects; other parallel events – films,
promotion of new books, etc. Organizers of the
Varna Summer ITF since its establishment to
present days have been: Ministry of Culture –
1000 Sofia, 17, Al. Stamboliyski Blvd.; Varna
Municipality – 43, Osmi Primorski Polk Blvd.;
Bulgarian Theater Association – 1000 Sofia, 12,
Narodno Sabranie Pl. Varna Municipality – for
contacts 052/ 603 504 – Zhana Andreeva –
Director of Directorate “Culture and
Intellectual Development; Desislava Georgieva –
Head of Culture Department - tel./fax 052/ 659
172; Bulgarian Theater Association – 02/ 988 44
82; email:jandreeva@varna.bg; bat@omega.bg; www.
theatrefest-varna.org
June 2
DAY OF HRISTO BOTEV AND
HEROES DIED FOR THE FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE OF
BULGARIA
A commemoration ceremony at the Monument of
Hristo Botev in the Seaside Garden and official
military ceremony
June 9 – 24
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPH
SALON
Established in 2003 as a national photo salon.
In 2007 it turned into an international event
held annually, featuring professional and
amateur photographers from all over the world.
June 8-10
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 feast is a concert featuring ensembles from
Prosveta Public Cultural Center, from the
schools of the district, pensioners’ clubs and
from the whole Asparuhovo district. For 8 years
now it is held in the complex Mini Miss and Mini
Mister Asparuhovo. The competition is open for
citizens and guests of Varna. 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 of professional Bulgarian pop singers.
Organizers - Prosveta Public Cultural Center and
Asparuhovo District. Contact person – Lyubka
Todorova, Secretary Public Cultural Center, tel.
– 052/ 370 934; e-mail prochi@abv.bg
June15 – July 15
VARNA SUMMER INTERNATIONAL
MUSIC FESTIVAL – 86th edition
The Varna Summer International Music Festival is
an annual one and it is open every third
Saturday of June. In 2012 it will be held from
15 June to 15 August. The venues of festival
events are – Festival and Congress Center, Drama
Theater – main stage, City Art Gallery, Open-air
Theater, Graffiti Gallery. July 23 – August 1
1926 – first Bulgarian music celebrations in the
city of Varna. The idea was initiated by the
great figures in the cultural and educational
field of Varna – Gercho Gerchev, Ivan Kamburov,
Vasil Stavrev, Nayden Naydenov, Yordan Todorov
ardently supported by the composers Dobri
Hristov, Pancho Vladigerov, Maestro Georgi
Atanasov. After a break in the period 1932-1935
the celebrations went on up to 1939 (in 1938 was
the first attempt to extend the music
celebrations to the level of international ones)
and after they came to a halt because of the
World War II.
1957 Varna summer music celebrations were
revived under the name Varna Summer.
Progressively the most renowned Bulgarian and
foreign performers and ensembles were drawn as
guests of the Festival.
1964 The first in world International Ballet
Competition was held.
1966 The Festival was instituted as an annual
International Music Festival “Varna Summer”.
1987 Varna Summer International Music Festival
became a member of the European Festivals
Association.
During its 85-year existence Varna Summer
International Music Festival has won national
and international recognition. It has
contributed greatly to the promotion of
Bulgarian music and performing art. The slogan
of the founders "to bring together the greatest
music authorities in the country" has found its
followers in the promotion of Bulgarian music
culture.
A great number of Bulgarian music pieces have
been first performed in the framework of the
Varna Summer. Masterpieces of Bulgarian and
world music culture and internationally renowned
performers mark the overall image of the
festival. Varna Music Institutions and
outstanding Bulgarian performers and ensembles
are regular guests on the stage of the Varna
Summer. Foreign soloists, conductors, symphony
and chamber orchestras, choirs, opera ensembles,
ballet companies of world value impress with
their performing art. Numerous are the first
performances included in the programmes. The
series Early Music and Days of Young Chamber
Performer are of special interest for the
audiences. Since 1984 a Summer Music Academy has
been held within the framework of the Festival.
Since 1993 the Varna Summer has enriched its
programme with scientific meetings.
June 16 - 17
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER
SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
Organized by the Varna Municipality with the
assistance of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The
deadline for applications for participation is
up to December of the previous year. They are
selected by experts according to the
international nature of the Meetings and
depending on the issues connected to the topic
of each one edition. Since 1993 the Meetings
have been held annually in Varna, St.St.
Constantine and Helena Resort, within the
framework of the Varna Summer International
Music Festival. Priority of this forum is to
contribute to the comprehension of the national
spirit values and their place in the European
culture. The editions of the Meetings have
reached more than 60 world famous libraries and
scientific centers in Europe and the USA.
June 29 – July 7
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
FESTIVAL
The festival aims to present the contemporary
film art in Bulgaria, Europe and the world and
to support its development by creating a
favorable environment and platform for promoting
young filmmakers. Founded in 2003, it started as
a competitive event for students’ films, and
today it is the largest and most prestigious
short film festival in Bulgaria and the region.
Along with the competitive programmes the
festival is accompanied by parallel film shows,
training programmes, seminars, lectures and
master classes. It includes also a qualified
market of short films and projects. The festival
enjoys a special interest and attracts audiences
from all over the world. In 2011 more the 140
titles of artists from 5 continents were
presented. They were selected among an
impressive number of applications for
participation in the categories of feature,
animated, documentary and experimental films.
July 15 – 30
ХХV INTERNATIONAL BALLET
COMPETITION
Founded in 1964, the first in the world ballet
competition. It has won an international
recognition. Held every other year within the
framework of the Varna Summer International
Festival. The 25th edition in 2012 will be held
from 15 to 30 July. It takes place in three
rounds. In the first round the participants
perform classical choreography from the
mandatory programme. The participants admitted
to the second and third round compete performing
classical and contemporary choreography. The
following prizes for senior and junior age –
women and men – are awarded: Winner of the Varna
International Ballet Competition and the Grand
Prix of Varna; first, second and third prizes
for both age groups for men and women. The
Competition is held in the Open-air Theater of
Varna, and in rainy time in the Palace of
Culture and Sports.
July 18
175th ANNIVERSARY OF VASIL
LEVSKI
Commemoration ceremony at the monuments of Vasil
Levski in the Seaside Garden.
July 27 юли
134 YEARS FROM THE
LIBERATION OF VARNA
July 27 – July 29
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ
FESTIVAL
Established in 1992, it is held annually under
the initiative of the saxophone player Anatoly
Vapirov within 3 days at the end of July and
beginning of August. Main organizer is the
Municipality of Varna in partnership with the
Varna Jazz Society. The programme includes
three-four concerts featuring usually 8-10 bands
from Bulgaria and abroad. Musicians such as
Albert Mangelsdorff, Dominique Pifarely, Mal
Waldron, Luis Sclavis, John Surman and many
others have been among the guest performers.
Almost all Bulgarian jazzmen have performed on
the festival stage – White, Green, Red Band,
Acoustic Version, Borisov Big Band, Lyudmil
Georgiev, Simeon Shterev, Teodosy Spasov, Stoyan
Yankulov… Until 2000 it was held in the Festival
and Congress Center – Hall 1 and after than in
the courtyard of the Archeological Museum.
August 1 – 21
INTERNATIONAL FAIR OF ARTS
AND CRAFTS
The International Fair of Arts and Crafts is the
largest art exhibition in Bulgaria. It is held
annually in August in Varna. Combining
traditions and contemporary trends in art, today
the Fair is a place for expression of some of
the best artists in the field of fine and
applied arts. The demonstration of artistic
skills enables the visitors to watch the live
creation of unique works. During its 15-year
history the Fair has become one of the most
attractive cultural events in Varna.
August 11 – 12
FESTIVAL OF ETHNIC
COMMUNITIES
Main organizer – Public Cultural Center Hristo
Botev. Forum featuring performances presented by
different ethnic groups.
August
WORLD ART FORUM – TOWARDS
THE STARS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Presentation of the best examples of the world
chamber theater art. Besides the stage
performances it includes working groups,
meetings with citizens, press-conferences. It is
an unique forum of monodrama in Bulgaria.
August 23 – 26
VARNA CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
FAIRYTALE FOR YOU – 13th edition
It is held annually. In 2012 it will be held in
two rounds. From 12 to 17 June for participants
aged from 5 to 18 years and the second round
will be from 23 to 26 August for participants up
to 25 years old. It promotes the presentation of
children’s theater companies, popularizing
children’s tales and theater art.
August 7 август – 17 September
INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL OF
VISUAL ARTS “AUGUST IN ART”
Initiated as a project and implemented for the
first time in 2000. It aims to launch out a
cultural event which gradually will turn into an
important international biennial
Varna is one of the largest and most active
centers of visual arts in the country with its
many art galleries and museums, an extensive
exhibition activity and a number of outstanding
artists recognized both in Bulgaria and abroad.
All other arts – music, theater, dance, cinema,
jazz, folk have their prestigious festivals.
Author of the concept and the name of the
festival is Rumen Serafimov. It is held every
other year in the City Art Gallery, Concert Hall
of Radio Varna, Archaeological Museum, private
galleries…
August 5 – 12
SEA WEEK CELEBRATIONS
Open-air concerts, exhibitions, sport
competitions. August 7 – Navy Day is also an
open day for visiting the military ships.
August 5 – 9
INTERNATIONAL FOLK
FESTIVAL VARNA
Established in 1992, It is held every year in
the first week of August. The first edition was
organized by the Varna Municipality in
collaboration with Bulgar Folklore Fest Society
and later in partnership with the Society of
Choreographers-Varna. According to the festival
regulations youth and adult ensembles from all
over the world as well as groups for authentic
folklore art are admitted to participation. In
the period 1995 – 1999 one Bulgarian
professional ensemble was invited as a special
guest. The festival events take place in the
Open-air Theater, open stages and sites in
Varna, neighbour towns and tourist resorts.
August 15
DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS
(USPENIE BOGORODITSCHNO) – DAY OF VARNA
Divine liturgy in the Dormition of the Theotokos
Cathedral (Katedralen Hram Uspenie
Bogoroditschno) and icon procession. All the day
round different ensembles and performers present
their art on the Rakovina Stage in the Seaside
Garden. An official concert takes place in the
Open-air Theater and late in the evening a rock
and pop concert is organized at the entrance of
the Seaside garden.
August 31 – September 6
LOVE IS FOLLY
INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST
The festival was established in 1993. It is held
every year within six days beginning the last
Friday of August. The main organizer is the
Festival and Congress Center – Varna. The
programme is a competitive one and usually
features 13 selected films produced the last two
years dealing with the subject of love. Besides
the competition programme special film
panoramas, retrospection of film makers and
works by young authors are also presented.
Venues of the festival events are: Festival and
Congress Center – Hall 1(1000 seats), Europe
Hall (250 seats), Press center Hall (120 seats),
Café-Theater (100 seats).
September 10 – 16
VІІ ANIMATED FILM
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
In 1989 the Animated Film Festival in Varna
organized under the auspices of the Association
International du Film d’Animation (ASIFA) was
one of the five most important festivals in the
world. After a pause of 22 years, in 2011, for
the seventh time the World Animated Film
Festival was opened in Varna, which resumed
again this feast, bridge, connecting in the time
the glorious past with the promising future. The
Selection Committee selects the films for the
festival programme among those, sent from all
over the world. The festival features
competitive programme of short animated films,
feature productions, children’s films, student
projects and parts of TV serials. Besides the
competitive programme author’s films are also
presented, created by the jury members – world
renowned makers of animated films. The festival
is held every other year. In 2012, it will be
held from 10 to 16 September.
September 6
127 YEARS OF THE
UNIFICATION OF BULGARIA
Commemoration ceremony at the monument of the
soldiers died in the Serbo-Bulgarian War and at
the memorial tablet where Knyaz Alexander of
Battenberg proclaimed the unification of the
Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia.
September 22
104 YEARS FROM THE
PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF BULGARIA
National flag rising ceremony and an official
concert.
September 30
CONCERT DEDICATED TO THE
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
October 1
WORLD DAY OF MUSIC AND
POETRY
Official concert
October 5 – 7
INTERNATIONAL VOCAL
COMPETITION MORSKI ZVEZDICHKI (SEA STARS)
It is held annually. Participants in this
competition are up to 25 years old divided into
4 age groups. It aims to promote children’s and
youth performing art.
October 5-11
GOLDEN ROSE BULGARIAN
FEATURE FILM FESTIVAL
The festival was established in 1961. Until
1974, except 1965, it was held every year. Since
1974 it has become a biennial one. In 1990 it
had a single edition in Sofia, but in 1994 it
returned again in Varna. In 2011 we will
celebrate its 50th anniversary. In the first
years it was organized by the Department of Film
Makers, The Committee of Culture and the City
Popular Council of Varna. After 1994 the
organizer is the National Film Center at the
Ministry of Culture. The first edition presented
feature films, documentaries, popular science
and animated films. 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. Originally it was known as a
Bulgarian Film Festival until 1971 and the
competitions were for different genres of movies
(although the non-feature films have had for
years their forums in Kyustendil, Velingrad and
Tolbuhin). In 1974 limiting its programme it was
given the name Bulgarian Feature Film Festival.
The first editions of the festival were in the
cinemas Republika, Zlatni Pyasatsi and Lenin,
since 1972 – in the Palace of Culture and Sport
(4000 seats)and since 1986 until now host of the
festival events has been the Festival and
Congress Center (800 seats – Hall 1; 250 seats –
Hall Europe). Since 2010 the programme has been
featuring short films as well and the festival
became a yearly one. The organizers are:
National Film Center, Ministry of Culture, BNT,
Varna Municipality, Artin Vision.
October 18 – 21
FALL OF MEMORIES NATIONAL
FESTIVAL
The festival was established in 1997 under the
initiative of the Union of Pensioners. It is
held in October in the Palace of Culture and
Sport – Varna. According to the Regulations
pensioners’ ensembles performing Bulgarian
folklore, urban songs and ever-greens are
admitted to participation.
October 18
SAINT LUKE (SVETI LUKA) –
ARTIST’S DAY
Exhibitions
November 1
DAY OF THE BULGARIAN
ENLIGHTENERS
Commemoration ceremony at the Monument of Paisiy
in the Seaside Garden.
November 21
THE ENTRY OF THE MOST HOLY
THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE. THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY
DAY
December 1 – 29
CHRISTMAS SALON OF ARTS
Literary evenings, concerts, exhibitions.
December 6
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
CEREMONY. SAINT NICHOLAS DAY
Ceremony and concert on Nezavisimost Square
Desember 24, 25, 26
CHRISTMAS
Open-air concerts
December 31
NEW YEAR
New Year concert on Nezavisimost Square
featuring pop, rock performers and folk
ensembles. |
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