From 16 to 19 October more than 500 world leaders in performing arts from more than 40 countries are expected to Bulgaria for the IEТM (International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts) in Sofia. This makes the event one of the top international cultural professional forums to be held in Bulgaria.

IETM is the world's biggest international network for performing arts. It is based in Brussels and has 500 member organizations from 50 countries. Its goal is to encourage the development, quality and context of contemporary performing arts on a global scale; to initiate joint projects and dynamic exchange of experience and information between organizations from across the world (predominantly contemporary theater, dance, circus and crossovers with other arts such as music, media etc.)

The main topic of the international IETM meeting in Sofia will be Space for Change. Michel Quere IETM coordinator of events and international meetings, says more about the Sofia forum:

„Let me thank Radio Bulgaria for the kind attention, it is a pleasure to me. Very soon this large and very interesting meeting is due in Sofia - a meeting of successful professionals in performing arts. The process of change in the world is now underway. The crisis has grown from a temporary phenomenon into part of reality and it is high time to look at it was an opportunity for quite new directions of development, for new partnerships and solutions … The main objective of the event is to provide for exchange of experience and best practices, networking and future partnerships. Over thirty workshops on various topics will be organized related to new practices in the cultural sector, measuring the impact of art, the impact of the Internet on theater, the renewal of relations with audiences, the mobility of artists ... The world of art is facing very serious problems. It must wrestle with curtailed funding of cultural activities and adapt to changes in the social and political context, such as the digital revolution and globalization”, Michel Quere says.

The event will bring together international cultural operators, managers, festival programmers, artistic directors, selectors and actors. Every day they will gather together for a daily discussions and an education program and an evening artistic program prepared by the Bulgarian contemporary art scene, including shows by the state and municipal theater companies and by companies from the private sector.

English Daniela Konstantinova