site.btaUPDATED Culture Minister Opens Apollonia Arts Festival in Sozopol: “Apollonia Exists Because of Its Audience”
“Apollonia exists because of its audience,” said Minister of Culture Marian Bachev during the opening of the festival in Sozopol on Friday evening.
“I’ve stood on this stage as a student. I’ve stood on this stage as an actor, and over the years I’ve come to realize how the space can feel different—because of the sets, the atmosphere, the changing context. But one thing is clear: this festival exists for just one reason—the audience of Apollonia,” said Minister Bachev at the launch of the 41st edition of the Apollonia Festival of Arts in Sozopol.
“I’ve also learned that brevity is the sister of genius. So I’ll try to keep it short—especially because, as we know, when words end, music begins. Applause for these extraordinary musicians. And may Apollonia have great success,” he concluded.
National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova said at the opening that Sozopol will be Bulgaria’s cultural capital during the next 10 days. She noted that the festival has existed longer than the time which some of the people at the forum have memories about. “It is a major inspiration, a major effort,” she added.
Kiselova said she hopes that the audience enjoys “the youth, the energy, the beauty, the inspiration and the talent” of the festival. “Our talent is as high as the bar we raise for ourselves,” she said. “The summer goes on. August doesn’t end on August 31; September is August too.”
The Apollonia Festival of Arts has been held since 1984. It is organized by the Apollonia Foundation, established in 1991. Each year, the festival’s venues in Sozopol attract hundreds of artists and thousands of art lovers from Bulgaria and abroad. The event aims to preserve cultural traditions while also supporting emerging talent across various art forms. This year’s programme includes over 70 events spanning music, theatre, literature, cinema, and visual arts. The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is a media partner of the festival. On September 1, as part of the Apollonia Festival, the latest issue of LIK—BTA’s magazine dedicated to literature, art, and culture—will be presented. The August edition of the publication is dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the beginning of organized tourism in Bulgaria.
/KK/
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