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 and is integrated into 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 to the concealed dimensions of memory, identity, and cultural shifts, positioning paper not merely as a material but as a medium conveying ideas, time, and artistic expression. The festival will host major 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 representing 18 countries are participating. The program features art tours, curator meetings, and curated exhibitions showcasing participants from Bulgaria, Japan, Brazil, Poland, and Taiwan. Certain projects are also slated for inclusion in the Autumn Salon of the Arts.
The opening ceremony will include an award presentation for the Amateras competition. A notable element of this year’s festival is the involvement of emerging Bulgarian artists, including students from the National Academy of Art, supporting the promotion of contemporary art in the country. The schedule also includes 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 Paper Art Fest 2026 is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sofia Municipality, the National Culture Fund, and private partners.
Topics: #paper #sofia #art
