The 31^st edition of the Apollonia Festival of Arts will once again bring the flame of beauty into the old town of Sozopol – a place where ancient Thracians, Greeks and Romans strode in the past. The unveiling will be on August 28, when “The living movie songs of the Bulgarian cinema” can be heard – as a tribute to the 100^th anniversary of Bulgarian cinema and to its screenwriters, directors and actors. The same evening the audience will have the chance to watch Urok /Lesson/ - the most awarded movie ever with 29 international recognitions.

Great classic musicians arepresent in all editions of the festival. This year we will listen to one of the best young pianists – Plamena Mangova, along with violinist Albena Danailova, a concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The trio of Lucy Jeal – violin, Alexander Somov – cello and Ivan Yanakov – piano is another interesting event, along with violinists Zornitsa Ilarionova and Yoanna Kamenarska, also bass Yulian Konstantinov.

“We always have those renowned names at our classic concerts that need no presentation,” says Apollonia’s art director Margarita Dimitrova. “Plamena Mangova is an extraordinary pianist and it will be her first participation. She will perform in a chamber concert along with violinist Albena Danailova. It turns out that they both haven’t played together yet and the Sozopol concert might be the beginning of something new.”

“Columbian Juan Garcia-Herreros and his musicians from across the globe, including Bulgarian Stoyan Yankulov – these are among the brightest names at this year’s Apollonia festival. “It is an interesting bunch of nationalities, united by the big music,” Margarita Dimitrova further says. “Jazz is a compulsory feature. We will have a concert of Theodosyi Spasov together with an Indian musician, playing the traditional tabla instrument. The concert, devoted to the memory of Franc Sinatra with Vasil Petrov and Angel Zaberski Jr. is another accent. Another concert is also the one of Miroslava Katsarova, honoring the memory of Billy Holiday and the 100^th birth anniversary of this incredible singer. There are many other events prepared.”

There will be a literature marathon in over 20 events as well. Lyudmil Stanev, Mikhail Veshim, Deyan Enev, Kalin Yanakiev and many other Bulgarian writers will meet their fans. There will be also a theatre opening night, Mrs. Dimitrova says.

“The Apollonia Foundation is a producer for a second year in a row to a show which will have, I hope, the same wonderful future as last year’s Antigona. Liv Stein is a play, related to music, as the main character is a pianist. Her story is really well written by author Nino Haratishvili and will be a surprise to everyone. You know that we always present a new play – challenging and with good actors. This year it will be one of Thomas Berndhart’s works with actors Vladimir Penev and Malin Krastev.”

There will be lots more – meetings with successful Bulgarians within the Price of Success initiative, also exhibitions, concerts, a colorful show of the Trakia Ensemble, a master class in violin of Mincho Minchev, ballet, a children’s festival… That will be all Apollonia – a farewell to summer with art.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev