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 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 state that the event positions paper not merely as a material, but as a medium capable of conveying ideas, time, and artistic expression. The festival itinerary includes large-scale international exhibitions, featuring 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 also encompasses art tours, curator meetings, and various curated exhibitions showcasing participants from Bulgaria, Japan, Brazil, Poland, and Taiwan. Certain projects displayed will be featured in the Autumn Salon of the Arts.
The opening event will include an award ceremony for the Amateras competition. A key highlight of this edition is the involvement of emerging Bulgarian artists, including students from the National Academy of Art, supporting the promotion of contemporary art within the country. The official schedule features 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 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
