The 16th edition of the Sofia Paper Art Fest, themed “Beyond the Surface,” is scheduled to open on April 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the National Palace of Culture (NDK). The festival will run until May 16, forming part of the 23rd Salon of the Arts program.
The event is organized by the Amateras Foundation in collaboration with NDK. This year’s focus directs attention toward the concealed aspects of memory, identity, and cultural change, positioning paper not merely as a material, but as a vehicle for ideas, time, and artistic expression. The festival will feature large-scale international exhibitions, including the Biennial of Contemporary Paper Art in the West lobby and the 17th annual Amateras Exhibition-Competition in the Marble lobby.
A total of 117 artists from 18 countries are participating. The program encompasses art tours, curator meetings, and various curated exhibitions showcasing participants from Bulgaria, Japan, Brazil, Poland, and Taiwan. Certain projects are slated for inclusion in the Autumn Salon of the Arts.
The opening day will also host an award ceremony for the Amateras competition. A significant aspect of this edition is the involvement of emerging Bulgarian artists, including students from the National Academy of Art, aiming to promote contemporary art within the country. Additional highlights include a special presentation of Japanese calligraphy by Minoru Goto and a demonstration by Phenix Varbanov on April 30.
Having received the European Commission’s Innovation Label, the festival has established itself as an international platform for contemporary paper art and cultural exchange. The Sofia event is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sofia Municipality, the National Culture Fund, and private partners.
Topics: #paper #sofia #art
