Quotes from the discussion “Sofia: So Close, So Far Away”

Svetlana Lomeva opened the discussion with the statement:

“i want the discussion to be critical. Sofia is working hard to win the title of European Capital of Culture. i wish to draw attention to the problems of culture in two aspects: Sofia as a city of the citizens, and the European dimension of cultural life in Sofia: the presence of the city in Europe, and the presence of European culture in Sofia. Let’s us focus on what is missing, on the challenges ahead, and how we can improve our work.”

Deputy Mayor of Sofia Todor Chobanov was one of the speakers in the discussion:
“one of the central questions is how the city can encourage culture and the artists to realize their potential. The “city of the citizens” should be open to artists and their counterparts from abroad.”

“a city lives in the words of famous authors about it. The city of rhodes 20 years ago created a center for arts in which various writers and translators leave a written testimony to the place where they were, and that adds to the aura of the city. it would be good for Sofia to have a place like that, so artists can commemorate the city with their works; over time, these texts will make the city even more attractive”, said writer Alek Popov.

The discussion was attended by many Bulgarian artists who live and work abroad. Among them was Antonia Duende who has lived in Berlin for a long time. She stressed that the German capital has become the undeclared center of culture and the arts in recent years; after the fall of the Berlin Wall artists from around the world have come together in the city and today, they see themselves as Berliners. Antonia Duende also recommended that Sofia utilize the artistic potential of the different ethnic groups living in the city to develop the urban cultural environment.

The artist Rada Iankova (who lives in the Hague) argued that the Bulgarians have no confidence to speak of art, to give their opinions, to like or dislike paintings. How can the city attract the audience to art and the works of art? It is important to educate children about art starting in kindergartens and schools. If the children cannot go to the galleries, then the artists can go to the children. It is critical for them to gain confidence, to know and see art around them from an early age.

Hristo Gelov who lives in Madrid said: “in Sofia there are many interesting initiatives, but it is important for the residents, for the Sofianites to become authors themselves, to learn to express themselves creatively. Sofia has to become more personal for its residents.”

Artist Greddy Assa said that Sofia should become a charming space for artists, musicians and architects.

“For culture to happen the city needs its own stories and myths gathered in one place. Sofia has its mythological plan, its urban legends”, said Assoc. Prof. Georgi Lozanov. “Sofia has the potential to be a city of pleasure. any space can be transformed into a theater; the entire city can become an open theater, with performances in many places and with as many people as possible playing.”

The discussion “Sofia: so Close, so Far” was part of the events and the program of the International Book Fair 2013.