The 16th 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 edition of the Salon of the Arts.
Organized by the Amateras Foundation in collaboration with NDK, the event explores paper not merely as a medium, but as a vessel for ideas, time, and artistic expression. This year’s focus draws attention to the deeper layers of memory, identity, and cultural transformation through the art of paper. 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.
Participants include 117 artists representing 18 countries. The program features art tours, curator meetings, and curated exhibitions showcasing artists from Bulgaria, Japan, Brazil, Poland, and Taiwan. Several projects will also be featured in the Autumn Salon of the Arts.
The opening ceremony will include an award presentation for the Amateras competition. A significant element of this edition is the involvement of emerging Bulgarian artists, including students from the National Academy of Art, aimed at promoting contemporary art within Bulgaria. Additional events include a 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 paper art and cultural exchange in Sofia. The event is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sofia Municipality, the National Culture Fund, and private partners.
Topics: #paper #sofia #art
