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 within the 23rd edition of the Salon of the Arts.
Organized by the Amateras Foundation in collaboration with NDK, this year’s focus directs attention to the underlying dimensions of memory, identity, and cultural change. Organizers stated that the event treats paper not merely as a medium, but as a vehicle for ideas, time, and artistic expression. The festival will showcase 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 is comprehensive, featuring art tours, curator meetings, and various curated exhibitions highlighting participants from nations such as Bulgaria, Japan, Brazil, Poland, and Taiwan. Some featured projects are slated for inclusion in the Autumn Salon of the Arts.
Key events include an award ceremony for the Amateras competition during the opening. A significant aspect of this year’s festival is the inclusion of young Bulgarian artists, including students from the National Academy of Art, aiming to advance contemporary art within the country. The official schedule also features a special presentation of Japanese calligraphy by Minoru Goto and a demonstration by Phenix Varbanov on April 30.
Recognized with the European Commission’s Innovation Label, the Sofia Paper Art Fest has established itself as an international platform for paper art and cultural exchange. The event is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sofia Municipality, the National Culture Fund, and private partners.
Topics: #paper #sofia #art
