21st International Theater Festival “Varna Summer", Bulgaria
The International Theatre Festival “Varna Summer” is the biggest international theatre event in Bulgaria. It is held every year between 1st- 12th June in the Black Seaside city of Varna in the festivals' framework "Varna Summer". Organizers are the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Varna and the Bulgarian Theatre Association. Creator of the festival is the “International Theatre Festival Varna Summer” Foundation.
ITF Varna Summer displays high quality productions from Bulgaria and abroad in the field of theatre, new dance (dance theatre) and performance art.
Its aim is to present main trends in Bulgarian and international stage practice and to create a platform for intercultural dialogue, exchange and marketing. The programme is created as a mosaic of modules.
The festival atmosphere is intensified by various parallel events such as concerts, workshops, exhibitions, meetings and discussions.
The ITF “Varna Summer” started in 1992 as a part of the All-European movement for innovation and as meeting point between the Eastern and Western European cultures and the rest of the world. It began as a festival displaying national art, but 1997 showed to be a turning point. During that time it essentially changed its policy and turned into an international event. There have been several big changes in the program strategy after 1997.
On the one hand, the festival is organized with the idea to introduce to the Bulgarian audience and theatre community the theatre art and achievements from abroad. On the other hand it provides the opportunity to present contemporary Bulgarian theatre practices in the context of international exchange of theatre artefacts.
The scope of ITF “Varna summer” is continually expanding, and has since 2007, in partnership with the Sofia Municipality, been showing performances from the international programme in the capital city of Sofia. From 2011 it has progressed further and is now displaying performances in the town of Rousse.