The first edition of LUNAR will be organized with the support of Sofia Municipality and under the patronage of the Chairman of the Sofia Municipal Council Georgi Georgiev. What can visitors expect, what is the possible contribution of the festival to the economic development of the capital and which is the message that the supported by Sofia Municipality light installation will send, Mr. Georgiev shares in an interview for LUNAR.
When I got acquainted with the work of the great young people who are official partners of the Festival of Lights International Productions and saw the light artworks made around the world, I immediately thought that Sofia could shine and host such a show. The realization of the festival is a dream that came true and we want to present it to the residents and guests of our city. Our ambition is to turn this pilot edition into a traditional one that will attract more and more visitors. Some of the most emblematic buildings in the capital will be illuminated, including the National Gallery “Kvadrat 500”, the National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius, National Palace of Culture, National Theater “Ivan Vazov”, and for several evenings between May 6 and 9, people will be able to enjoy this visual art. In addition, through its works, LUNAR festival aims to tell stories related to peace, unity, solidarity and the path to sustainability. In the difficult days of war that Ukraine is going through and the challenges that the democratic world is facing, these are very important messages that Sofia, as a European capital, must send.
As I have already said, I expect that the festival will go so well that after its end we will have to roll up our sleeves and start working on the next edition. For Sofia, this is a really big event, as artists not only from Bulgaria, but also established foreign names from the digital art scene will present their artworks. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk in the central part of the capital and see their favorite city in a new light.
I have always believed that Sofia as capital should set the trends and pace of development. I try to apply it in my work as Chairman of the Sofia Municipal Council. That is why it was important for me that our city was the first to host such a festival with international recognition. This will bring not only positives for the capital, but will also help position Bulgaria on the map of world light art. In addition, we expect economic benefits for our city, as experience shows that such events contribute to the tourism’s development.
We are happy that the light installation, realized with the support of Sofia Municipality, unites the talented Bulgarian authors who work in the field of light arts. It is important for us to show the strength of being together and we hope that this message will inspire the residents and guests of the capital. That is why six Bulgarian studios and artists specialized in 3D mapping will create their artworks, especially for the facade of the iconic building of the National Theater. The theme will be “We Shine Together”, and the works can be seen each of the four evenings of the festival.
During the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, we all had to learn to communicate and live at a distance from each other. We all need colorful colors and light in our daily lives. That is why the festival is a kind of holiday, which together with the organizers we want to give you as a gift and once again holding hands to walk around night Sofia, which will shine even brighter and stronger.
Some of the most beautiful buildings in the capital will be part of the first edition of LUNAR festival’s program. Among them is the neoclassical facade of “Kvadrat 500”, on [...]
