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 edition program of the Salon of the Arts.
Organized by the Amateras Foundation in collaboration with NDK, this year’s focus emphasizes the multifaceted nature of paper, viewing it not merely as a material but as a medium for conveying ideas, time, and artistic expression related to memory, identity, and cultural transformation. The event 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 set to feature 117 artists representing 18 countries.
The program encompasses art tours, curator meetings, and curated exhibitions showcasing participants from Bulgaria, Japan, Brazil, Poland, and Taiwan, with some projects slated for inclusion in the Autumn Salon of the Arts. Highlights include an award ceremony for the Amateras competition during the opening, and increased visibility for young Bulgarian artists, including students from the National Academy of Art. The official schedule also features a Japanese calligraphy presentation by Minoru Goto and a demonstration by Phenix Varbanov on April 30.
The festival, which has received the European Commission’s Innovation Label, solidifies its status as an international platform for contemporary 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
