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 program.
The event is organized by the Amateras Foundation in collaboration with NDK. This year’s focus directs attention to the underlying aspects of memory, identity, and cultural change, positioning paper not merely as a medium but as a vehicle for ideas, time, and artistic expression. 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.
A total of 117 artists from 18 countries are participating. The program encompasses art tours, curator meetings, and various curated exhibitions featuring artists from Bulgaria, Japan, Brazil, Poland, and Taiwan. Some showcased projects are slated for inclusion in the Autumn Salon of the Arts.
The opening day will feature an award ceremony for the Amateras competition. A key element of this edition is the involvement of emerging Bulgarian artists, including students from the National Academy of Art, supporting the promotion of contemporary art in the country. Additional scheduled events 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 paper art and cultural exchange in Sofia. 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
This sounds like a wonderful cultural event to attend.