2018 Selected Events

We Are All Colors 11 – 13 January 2019 Tobacco City, Kapana – Creative District, The Main Pedestrian Street, Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd., The Ancient Theater Opening of Plovdiv European Capital of Culture 2019 WE ARE MOST THRILLED TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF THE ECOC 2019 WITH THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND MOMENTOUS HIGHLIGHT IN ITS PROGRAMME – THE ‘WE ARE ALL COLORS’ SHOW. Over the course of an extended weekend a series of events will take place at various in- and outdoor spaces across the city. Its peak will be on Saturday, 12 January. The very heart of Plovdiv will welcome the ceremony. The show, combining music, light and dance, will give the key to the whole year ahead and to the basic concept of the European Capital of Culture project, in which the citizens themselves are not only audiences and actors, but also creators of events. More than 1500 participants from Bulgaria and abroad will recreate on the open stage a large and colorful metaphor of all the main themes of the programme ‘Plovdiv 2019’ and their relationships under the motto ‘Together’. The ECOC opening event is produced by the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation in partnership with international organizations, the major cultural institutions in Plovdiv, Plovdiv Municipality, artists and performers from Bulgaria and abroad. The concept of the event is created by the German artistic network phase7 performing.arts Berlin, artistic director Sven Sören Beyer. The opening weekend programme is made jointly with partner organizations from Plovdiv and Bulgaria.

Opera Open 09.06 - 13.09 International festival spectacularly staged at the Ancient thetre, one of the best preserved in the world. Hills of Rock 20.07 - 22.07 Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Anthrax and many more will rock Plovdiv for the 2018 edition of the large-scale music festival. Whispers /Murmures/ of Rhodope fairytales 27.07 - 05.08 A fairy-tale performance - journey from France to Bulgaria. #together for the Children 05.09 Annual event celebrating the selection of Plovdiv as European Capital of Culture, dedicated to children. Week of Contemporary Art 10.09 - 30.09 Annual exhibition at the Ancient Bath presenting Bulgarian and international contemporary artists. Mood for Food 14.09 - 16.09 United by the topic of food, this festival aims to provide an opportunity to enjoy wide variety of delicacies, participate in interactive events. One Dance Week 21.09 - 14.10 Contemporary dance festival with diverse performances from all around the world. Love Swing Dance Festival 27.09 - 30.09 Plovdiv is the new swing dance destination - fun days with expressive and dynamic events. Plovdiv Jazz Fest 31.10 - 03.11 Some of the most influential contemporary musicians come to Plovdiv for jazz-filled autumn evenings.