Varna Culture Events Calendar 2012

Varna

April

136th ANNIVERSARY OF THE APRIL UPRISING
A commemoration ceremony at the Monument of Georgi Benkovski in the Seaside Garden.

April 15
EASTER
Easter liturgy. Open-air concerts.

May – September
CONCERTS ON THE RAKOVINA STAGE
From the beginning of May until the end of September every Friday, Saturday and Sunday solo performers and ensembles present folk performances, songs, choral and instrumental performances, pop and jazz.

May 1
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY
Concert dedicated to the International Labour Day.

May 1 – 31
MAY SALON OF ARTS
The first edition of the May Salon of Arts was in 2001.

May 5 and 6
13th MODERN BALLET NATIONAL FESTIVAL-COMPETITION
A forum promoting young talents in the field of the modern ballet.

May 6
ST. GEORGE’S DAY – DAY OF THE BULGARIAN ARMY
Church Service and military parade of Bulgarian Army.

May 4 – 6
SEA AND MEMORIES INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
The main purpose of the organizers is to promote the pop music created between 1940 and 1980. The festival programme is in two parts – competition between Bulgarian amateur ensembles and recitals of foreign participants.

May 9
EUROPE DAY

May 10 – 13
XXХIV INTERNATIONAL MAY CHOIR COMPETITION PROF. GEORGI DIMITROV
The Competition is a member of the Organizing Committee of the International Association awarding the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing – a competition which is held in Arezzo (Italy), Debrecen (Hungary), Tours (France), Varna (Bulgaria), Tolosa (Spain) and Maribor (Slovenia). The concerts are in the Festival and Congress Center.

May 18 – 20
INTERNATIONAL POP MUSIC FESTIVAL – DISCOVERY
The festival features promotion of music projects, theater performances, books and international competition for pop performers.

May 20 – 27
SLAVIC EMBRACE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF POETRY
The main purpose of this forum is to bring closer the cultures, exchange of cultural values on the basis of the common proto-language and cultural heritage of Slavs. The two international prizes Flying Feather and Slavonic Atlas are awarded in Varna. Such festivals are organized not only in Varna but in Warsaw, Moscow, Riga, Belgrade and other cities. Their programmes include round tables, concerts, authors readings, chamber theater performances, exhibitions of translated and published books, exchange of leading art-editions in the Slavic world.

May 23
VARNA PRIZE AWARDING CEREMONY
As a tradition on the eve of the Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavic Script Day according to the resolution of the Municipal Council – Varna, the Mayor awards the Varna Prize to artists, scientists, teachers, head teachers and distinguished students. A Honorary Sign with a Ribbon of Mayor is also awarded both as a individual and collective prizes.

May 24
BULGARIAN EDUCATION AND CULTURE, AND SLAVIC SCRIPT DAY
Festive procession and official concert.

June 1-11
VARNA SUMMER INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL 2012 – 20TH EDITION
The festival programme is a subject of selection corresponding to the modules in and off featured in the programme as well as with the envisaged seminars, meetings, presentations of actors, directors, etc. It is held in the city of Varna and the venues are – Drama Theater, Puppet Theater, City Art Gallery, Regional Historical Museum. Within 11 days on the stages – hosts of the ITF – about 35-45 performances are presented, included in the various modules of the fest. The festival programme includes: selection of Bulgarian performances – up to 10 titles from the last theater season. Module with children’s performances – recent years it has become a permanent part of the festival; specially invited performances – by the decision of the management of BAT and the Festival Office; performances under different programmes – each year these
programmes and their possible presence in the festival programme are determined individually; seminars, discussions, exhibitions; presentation of young directors’ projects; other parallel events – films, promotion of new books, etc.

June 2
DAY OF HRISTO BOTEV AND HEROES DIED FOR THE FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE OF BULGARIA
A commemoration ceremony at the Monument of Hristo Botev in the Seaside Garden and official military ceremony

June 9 – 24
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPH SALON
International event featuring professional and amateur photographers from all over the world.

June 8-10
TRADITIONAL FEAST ASPARUHOVO SINGS AND DANCES
The competition is open for citizens and guests of Varna. There are different stages for rock, pop and folk performances presented by guest amateurs from the whole country. The feast ends with a big concert of professional Bulgarian pop singers.

June15 – July 15
VARNA SUMMER INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL – 86th edition.
The venues of festival events are – Festival and Congress Center, Drama Theater – main stage, City Art Gallery, Open-air Theater, Graffiti Gallery.
A great number of Bulgarian music pieces have been first performed in the framework of the Varna Summer. Masterpieces of Bulgarian and world music culture and internationally renowned performers mark the overall image of the festival. Varna Music Institutions and outstanding Bulgarian performers and ensembles are regular guests on the stage of the Varna Summer. Foreign soloists, conductors, symphony and chamber orchestras, choirs, opera ensembles, ballet companies of world value impress with their performing art.

June 16 – 17
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
Organized by the Varna Municipality with the assistance of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Priority of this forum is to contribute to the comprehension of the national spirit values and their place in the European culture. The editions of the Meetings have reached more than 60 world famous libraries and scientific centers in Europe and the USA.

June 29 – July 7
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
The festival aims to present the contemporary film art in Bulgaria, Europe and the world and to support its development by creating a favorable environment and platform for promoting young filmmakers. Along with the competitive programmes the festival is accompanied by parallel film shows, training programmes, seminars, lectures and master classes. It includes also a qualified market of short films and projects. The festival enjoys a special interest and attracts audiences from all over the world.

July 15 – 30
ХХV INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION
The 25th edition in 2012 will be held from 15 to 30 July. It takes place in three rounds. In the first round the participants perform classical choreography from the mandatory programme. The participants admitted to the second and third round compete performing classical and contemporary choreography. The following prizes for senior and junior age – women and men – are awarded: Winner of the Varna International Ballet Competition and the Grand Prix of Varna; first, second and third prizes for both age groups for men and women. The Competition is held in the Open-air Theater of Varna, and in rainy time in the Palace of Culture and Sports.

July 18
175th ANNIVERSARY OF VASIL LEVSKI
Commemoration ceremony at the monuments of Vasil Levski in the Seaside Garden.

July 27 юли
134 YEARS FROM THE LIBERATION OF VARNA

July 27 – July 29
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
The programme includes three-four concerts featuring usually 8-10 bands from Bulgaria and abroad. Musicians such as Albert Mangelsdorff, Dominique Pifarely, Mal Waldron, Luis Sclavis, John Surman and many others have been among the guest performers. Almost all Bulgarian jazzmen have performed on the festival stage – White, Green, Red Band, Acoustic Version, Borisov Big Band, Lyudmil Georgiev, Simeon Shterev, Teodosy Spasov, Stoyan Yankulov.

August 1 – 21
INTERNATIONAL FAIR OF ARTS AND CRAFTS
The International Fair of Arts and Crafts is the largest art exhibition in Bulgaria. Combining traditions and contemporary trends in art, today the Fair is a place for expression of some of the best artists in the field of fine and applied arts. The demonstration of artistic skills enables the visitors to watch the live creation of unique works. During its 15-year history the Fair has become one of the most attractive cultural events in Varna.

August 11 – 12
FESTIVAL OF ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
Forum featuring performances presented by different ethnic groups.

August
WORLD ART FORUM – TOWARDS THE STARS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Presentation of the best examples of the world chamber theater art. Besides the stage performances it includes working groups, meetings with citizens, press-conferences. It is an unique forum of monodrama in Bulgaria.

August 23 – 26
VARNA CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL FAIRYTALE FOR YOU – 13th edition
It will be held in two rounds. From 12 to 17 June for participants aged from 5 to 18 years and the second round will be from 23 to 26 August for participants up to 25 years old. It promotes the presentation of children’s theater companies, popularizing children’s tales and theater art.

August 7 август – 17 September
INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL OF VISUAL ARTS “AUGUST IN ART”
Varna is one of the largest and most active centers of visual arts in the country with its many art galleries and museums, an extensive exhibition activity and a number of outstanding artists recognized both in Bulgaria and abroad. All other arts – music, theater, dance, cinema, jazz, folk have their prestigious festivals.  It is held every other year in the City Art Gallery, Concert Hall of Radio Varna, Archaeological Museum, private galleries.

August 5 – 12
SEA WEEK CELEBRATIONS
Open-air concerts, exhibitions, sport competitions.
August 7 – Navy Day is also an open day for visiting the military ships.

August 5 – 9
INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL VARNA
According to the festival regulations youth and adult ensembles from all over the world as well as groups for authentic folklore art are admitted to participation. The festival events take place in the Open-air Theater, open stages and sites in Varna, neighbour towns and tourist resorts.

August 15
DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS (USPENIE BOGORODITSCHNO) – DAY OF VARNA
Divine liturgy in the Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral (Katedralen
Hram Uspenie Bogoroditschno) and icon procession. All the day round different ensembles and performers present their art on the Rakovina Stage in the Seaside Garden. An official concert takes place in the Open-air Theater and late in the evening a rock and pop concert is organized at the entrance of the Seaside garden.

August 31 – September 6
LOVE IS FOLLY INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST
The programme is a competitive one and usually features 13 selected films produced the last two years dealing with the subject of love. Besides the competition programme especial film panoramas, retrospection of film makers and works by young authors are also presented. Venues of the festival events are: Festival and Congress Center – Hall 1, Europe Hall, Press center Hall, Cafe-Theater.

September 10 – 16
VІІ ANIMATED FILM INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
The Selection Committee selects the films for the festival programme among those, sent from all over the world. The festival features competitive programme of short animated films, feature productions, children’s films, student projects and parts of TV serials. Besides the competitive programme author’s films are also presented, created by the jury members – world renowned makers of animated films.

September 6
127 YEARS OF THE UNIFICATION OF BULGARIA
Commemoration ceremony at the monument of the soldiers died in the Serbo-Bulgarian War and at the memorial tablet where Knyaz Alexander of Battenberg proclaimed the unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia.

September 22
104 YEARS FROM THE PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF BULGARIA
National flag rising ceremony and an official concert.

September 30
CONCERT DEDICATED TO THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

October 1
WORLD DAY OF MUSIC AND POETRY
Official concert

October 5 – 7
INTERNATIONAL VOCAL COMPETITION MORSKI ZVEZDICHKI (SEA STARS)
Participants in this competition are up to 25 years old divided into 4 age groups. It aims to promote children’s and youth performing art.

October 5-11
GOLDEN ROSE BULGARIAN FEATURE FILM FESTIVAL
The festival presents feature films, documentaries, popular science and animated films. A selected jury awards prizes for the best film on contemporary subject, for the best screenplay, best directing, best cameraman, best actress and actor, etc.

October 18 – 21
FALL OF MEMORIES NATIONAL FESTIVAL
It is held in October in the Palace of Culture and Sport – Varna.
According to the Regulations pensioners’ ensembles performing Bulgarian folklore, urban songs and ever-greens are admitted to participation.

October 18
SAINT LUKE (SVETI LUKA) – ARTIST’S DAY
Exhibitions

November 1
DAY OF THE BULGARIAN ENLIGHTENERS
Commemoration ceremony at the Monument of Paisiy in the Seaside Garden.

November 21
THE ENTRY OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE. THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY DAY

December 1 – 29
CHRISTMAS SALON OF ARTS
Literary evenings, concerts, exhibitions.

December 6
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY. SAINT NICHOLAS DAY
Ceremony and concert on Nezavisimost Square.

Desember 24, 25, 26
CHRISTMAS
Open-air concerts.

December 31
NEW YEAR
New Year concert on Nezavisimost Square featuring pop, rock performers and folk ensembles.

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