“Ever growing, never old” - The motto of Sofia is an eloquent illustration of what the city is all about. A city that never stands still, a place where new ideas are constantly being born; though new, they are invariably in harmony with the history of Bulgaria's capital. Continuity in cultural events and festivals is what has been breathing new life into emblematic city streets in summer for seven whole years, moulding the face of the contemporary urban multicultural environment.

The beginnings go back to 2010. The concept drafted was based on some serious European experience “translated” to suit life in Bulgaria. So, it was decided to present different kinds of activities and people working in the sphere of art, sports and handicrafts. Having their skills and talents presented outdoors, in the street means involving the public in whatever they are doing and helping people discover new interests for themselves. The first street to become a Sofia Breathes venue was Tsar Ivan Shishman, the day was a Sunday in August and… a tradition was created that is now in its seventh year.

This year the urban culture festival will be bigger and more impressive than ever. The aim is to make Sofia Breathes a national brand and to this aim a three-year strategy has been drafted. Here is more from Kristina Spassovska, curator and chief coordinator of the festival.

“We think Sofia Breathes is a way to attract the public in Bulgaria and help it evolve. Over the seven years since the festival has been taking place it is obvious the public is really interested in it. All sorts of people come, people of different professions, ages, interests. More and more tourists and foreigners have been coming to our events. This year the ministry of tourism, the foreign ministry and Sofia airport have been supporting the festival outside the country. For the purpose we are organizing a flashmob at the airport with dancers to entertain departing and arriving passengers.”

When organizing a festival such as this, things don't always go smoothly. To organize the different events on just one Sunday, more than 50 organizations have to coordinate their efforts. But the atmosphere out in the street is invariably enjoyable. And it is a good opportunity for Bulgarian manufacturers and artists to meet their public and find out what people like, what the demand is, which, in turn, improves their business.

“We motivated the artists to work in an urban environment and upgrade public space, at the same time reviving the bond between people and the city. There will be different artists taking part in the festival every week. This year's highlights in visual arts will be a display of works by painters, street photography with the “People of Sofia” project, as well as the “Write it in the Cyrillic alphabet” presenting different graphic designers and their view of the advantages our alphabet gives. We have also included a photography exhibition by Ellie Tsoneva “Between Berlin and Sofia”. For the first time we have included the screening of short films.”

What makes this edition of Sofia Breathes different is that it will now have separate zones of support for different social causes. What are they?

“Each zone supports its own cause. The children's zone supports the cause “No to violence against children”, the creative zone supports independent art, the bazaar zone - handmade articles and Bulgarian made products, the sporting zone - an active way of life. By dividing the participants into groups they will be able to present their work to the public better but it will also make it easier for visitors to choose the things they are interested in most.”

As in previous years, the organizers are promising to present culture from different countries.

“We have always been able to present the culture of a given country by inviting international artists who have been living in Sofia for many years. This time, on the last Sunday of the festival, we shall have a Korean corner and a presentation of Japanese art. We are always looking for ways to integrate the multiculture and diversity of a European capital into our programme,” says in conclusion Kristina Spassovska, curator and chief coordinator of Sofia Breathes.

English version: Milena Daynova