site.btaKvARTal Festival Empowers Urban Dwellers to Enhance Their Environment

For an eighth year now, the KvARTal Festival will transform the old Jewish quarter in central Sofia - a rectangle enclosed between Dondukov, Maria Louisa, Slivnitsa and Vasil Levski boulevards. Between September 15 and 17, the area will be a magnet for Bulgarian brands, artists, intellectuals and art connoisseurs.

The motto of the 2023 KvARTal, "Power of the People", emphasizes the capability of individuals to improve the urban environment.

The programme of the event covers six sub-topics: "Architectural Heritage", "Green Quarter", "Communities / Hate Speech", "Accessibility", "Pedestrian Precincts and Urban Initiatives" and "Opt for Bulgarian: Traders and Producers". Visitors will be able to enjoy the beautiful buildings dating to the early 20th century, see how a neighbourhood can accommodate an environmentally friendly lifestyle, how to combat hate speech and foster tolerance of different communities and minorities, make city spaces accessible to people with any needs, contribute to urban initiatives, and pick the best that Bulgarian retailers and manufacturers can offer.

The KvARTal Festival enables people to experience the ambience of old Sofia and follow into the footsteps of celebrated writers, poets, journalists, public figures, artists and crafts people. Enthusiasts can pop in galleries, studios and other art spaces, shop for handmade arts and crafts, listen to live music, attend lectures and workshops, and relish delicious foods and drinks.

It is a tradition for each edition of the festival to invite a guest illustrator, and this year it is Mila Lozanova, the organizers said.  Her work includes book covers for children and adults, posters for numerous campaigns, and perhaps one of her most recognizable works is the illustration for a mural in central Sofia, on a building at Gurko and Rakovski streets.

An exhibition titled "Elements" figures prominently on the bill of this year's festival. It will be presented at the ARTEmini shop & gallery on September 15. Artist Maya Manolova (not to be mistaken with her namesake politician) started drawing at age 2. She grew up in the studio of her father, prominent artist Dimitar Manolov. Manolova began with fashion drawings and jewellery and later on focused on water colours and oil.