Apollonia is one of the ancient names of Sozopol. The settlement was named so after a temple dedicated to Apollo that contained a colossal statue of this Greek god. There was a period when the town was an important cultural center known Apollonia Magna. The name Sozopol dates back to the 1st century AD, it replaced the name Apollonia during the Ottoman Empire.
The present-day Sozopol is a major seaside resort known for its annual arts festival named after the town’s ancient name. The Apollonia Festival of Arts was founded in 1984 by Professor Dimo Dimov. Since 1991, the festival has been managed by the Apollonia Art Foundation.
The Apollonia Festival of Arts was created to showcase the work of Bulgarian artists, to preserve the country’s artistic traditions, and to support new ideas and experiments in the field of contemporary art. The festival encompasses various art forms, including theater, music, literature, cinema, ballet, visual arts, architecture, and more.
The festival runs over ten days every summer, presenting more than 70 cultural events that involve hundreds of performers from all over Bulgaria and abroad. Many of the works that make up the festival program are national and world premieres. Concerts, theatrical performances, film screenings, art exhibitions, and other events take place at multiple venues across Sozopol.
The program of the Apollonia Festival of Arts is divided into several sections: Theater, Classical Music, Performances at the Amphitheater, Jazz, Cinema, Literature, Exhibition, and Kids’ Program. Each section features an impressive array of events and activities, and showcases the most exciting works of art from around the world.
Photo: Carolyn
