We go back to the beginning of an event that was to become a cultural landmark – the Apollonia Art Festival, held every year since 1984 over 10 days at the end of summer. This year the festival opens on August 28. Artists, musicians, film directors, actors, poets and writers get together in the Black Sea town of Sozopol to present the best of their works. The Bulgarian National Radio Golden Fund audio archives have preserved an interview with the man who created the festival, renowned Bulgarian violinist Prof. Dimo Dimov who remembers how it all began:

“The moment the idea of Apollonia came up, music was given as much prominence as any other form of art. And if we take a look back at the beginning now, we shall see that there is a reason why I have never given preference to music. I can say that I have done enough – for myself and for music as such – and to bring artistes together, to open up minds especially in those difficult times before the democratic changes, that was a very important thing. I can’t say I realized back then that people saw it as an expression of the free spirit, but I think these contacts, this exchange of ideas were seen as a protest of sorts.  And that is something Apollonia has never relinquished through the years. Those were times when the free spirit was bottled up, and sometimes if you uncorked the bottle the spirit that came out of it would destroy you. Now, hopefully, the free spirit is something that is entirely up to us and is able find expression much more easily. To my mind, there is one thing that guarantees that we shall keep things pure and that is the young generation of artistes who have grown professionally here in Bulgaria, but also abroad. We endevour to help them unfold their creative potential here and it is of this creative dialogue that the good things are born.”

Last year Apollonia marked 30 years since it was founded with a diverse lineup. One of the highlights was a concert in memory of renowned opera singer Nicola Ghiuselev who gave the start to the art festival in 1984, in the then new amphitheatre in Sozopol. “Keep this festival alive” – is what he said back then.

In the course of 30 years the festival has been kept alive but it has done more than that – in the face of all kinds of difficulties it has boosted the development of Sozopol, contributing to its inimitable atmosphere and giving inspiration to all who come to the festival. And turning the seaside town into a cultural hub where theatre, music, literature, cinema, ballet, plastic arts, architecture meet. Here is more from Apollonia’s artistic director Margarita Dimitrova:

“Whereas 30 years ago the local people in Sozopol didn’t seem to be very happy about it, now they look forward to the event. Sozopol is now a cultural and tourist centre. I think that Apollonia is what has given the impetus for this. Every year we endeavour to present the best works.”

Poetess Mirela Ivanova, a frequent participant in the art festival compared Apollonia to a woman who has spread her long hair over the entire Black Sea town. And there is truth in that - thirty years on the festival continues to fascinate and enthrall visitors who come to Sozopol from near and far.

Audio file contains: The Sofia Soloists Chamber Orchestra, a recording from the Apollonia festival.

English version: Milena Daynova