The Apollonia Arts Festival, Sozopol

The Apollonia Arts Festival is a major Bulgarian event held every year at the end of the summer in the seaside city of Sozopol. The festival’s major sponsor is the Apollonia Art Foundation, founded in 1991.

The festival was first held in 1984. It lasts for 10 days, during which time visitors may enjoy over 70 events – plays, open-air concerts, chamber music and jazz concerts, and films. The art gallery in Sozopol’s Old Town organizes exhibits and literary evenings as part of the festival. There are also master classes in various disciplines – singing, piano, jazz improvisation, and acting. There are activities and performances for children at all of the events.

Performers at the festival are both Bulgarian and international, and include world-famous individuals and groups. The schedule of dramatic performances affords visitors the opportunity to see a selection of contemporary and classical plays.

The artists who exhibit at Apollonia are among Bulgaria’s most highly acclaimed painters and photographers, and dozens of Bulgarian poets and writers of all ages take part in the festival’s literary evenings.

Every year the festival includes a panorama of Bulgarian film, including documentary films.

Many of these films are premiered at the festival.