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 featured as part of the 23rd Salon of the Arts.
Organized by the Amateras Foundation in collaboration with NDK, the event redefines the role of paper, presenting it not merely as a material but as a vehicle for ideas, time, and artistic expression. This year’s focus explores the underlying layers of memory, identity, and cultural transformation through the medium of paper art. The festival will host 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.
Participation is expected from 117 artists representing 18 countries. The program includes curated art tours, curator meetings, and specialized exhibitions featuring artists from Bulgaria, Japan, Brazil, Poland, and Taiwan. Several projects showcased at the festival are slated for inclusion in the Autumn Salon of the Arts.
The opening ceremony will feature an award presentation for the Amateras competition. A notable aspect of the event is the inclusion of young Bulgarian artists, including students from the National Academy of Art, aiming to advance contemporary art within Bulgaria. Additional highlights include a presentation of Japanese calligraphy by Minoru Goto and a demonstration by Phenix Varbanov on April 30.
Having secured the European Commission’s Innovation Label, the festival has established itself as a significant international platform for contemporary paper art and cultural exchange in Sofia. The event is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sofia Municipality, the National Culture Fund, and private sponsors.
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