With spring knocking on the door, one could say that the long-anticipated season has officially opened in Plovdiv. And just as the city begins to bloom and awaken, you can bet the people of Plovdiv are ready for some new events and activities. So, if you happen to be visiting the city this spring – here are our top events in Plovdiv in April!

1/ Mind The Kiss – Affective Map of the City of Plovdiv

In the month of April, the people of Plovdiv will participate in the creation of a so-called ‘’emotional map of the city’’ marking the places where they exchanged a kiss with a loved one. This is certainly one of the most interesting events of the month and it sure does bring a rather warm and fuzzy feeling of ‘’love is in the air’’.

The project Mind Тhe Kiss is part of Plovdiv’s European Capital of Culture 2019 and is dedicated to love and urban spaces. It is coordinated by the Italian organization Cescot Veneto in partnership with Confesercenti Bulgaria and Frase Contemporary Art and is realized by Italian photographer Sabrina Bellenzier.

• When: 6th April – 5th May, 2019, 9am – 6pm, Inauguration: 6th April, 2019 – 6pm
• Where: Community Centre “Aleko Konstantinov”

2/ Listen to us-Artistic intelligence

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 laid the foundation for overcoming the decades-long division of Europe in the East and West, of capitalism and communism, of democracy and party dictatorship. The present exhibition Listen To Us contains over 80 works created in the past 30 years by more than 40 artists born and raised in Eastern Europe. All of them have experienced the process of social turmoil, both in their own lives and experience as well as their parents and grandparents.

If you like thought-provoking art you should really consider attending this event! The artists use innovative approaches to multiple complex and controversial themes. The result? A series of beautiful, evocative works of art. The project is part of the official program of Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture 2019.

• When: Thursday, 4th April 2019 from 19:00-23:30
• Where: City Gallery of Fine Arts Plovdiv

3/ 10th Annual Festival “Hello, Health!” Plovdiv

Spring is just around the corner and the Hello Health festival in Plovdiv comes traditionally with it! This year will be the 10th anniversary of the festival and the project will be part of the official programme of Plovdiv – European capital of culture 2019.

So what can you expect? This year’s edition will be dedicated to health, strength and beauty – with the motto being ‘’gifts of the spirit’’. Attending will be the festival’s most favourite guests, lecturers, practitioners, healers, exhibitors, coaches, associates. If this seems like your cup of tea, don’t pass on the chance to learn some new and useful information.

• When: 19th April at 17:00 – 21st April at 18:00
• Where: House of Science and Technology – Gladstone

4/ The Long Way To The Stars

Want to see something truly unique in Plovdiv this April? A team of playwriters, scientists and artists from Italy, France and Bulgaria come together, merging theatre and science into one incredible project.

The Long Way To The Stars is an interactive Augmented Lecture performance that introduces us to the latest scientific theories about the origins of the Solar System and life in the Universe. In a funny, inventive and accessible manner, it immerses us in scientific ideas and makes us think about where we are going and what needs to be done if we are to survive as a species.

• When: Friday, 12th April 2019 from 19:00-20:30
• Where: Limacon Event Center
•  Tickets

5/ The Choirs of Plovdiv

The Choirs of Plovdiv consists of a series of short concerts performed by a local choir ensemble in a rather unusual environment. This is a good chance to get to know the local culture through the beauty of choral music. This year’s guests will be the Men’s choir “Stefka Blagoeva”. The project is part of the official program of Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture 2019.

• When: Saturday, 13th April 2019 from 13:30-13:45
• Where: Plovdiv Central Railway Station

6/ Workshop: Scientific Storytelling with Andrea Brunello (in English)

Want to improve your public speaking skills? In this 3 hour workshop, you’ll have the chance to develop some of the fundamental tools that are needed for successfully approaching public speaking of scientific topics. The event will start with some of the basic notions linked to storytelling and turn them into practical tools to help you become an effective public speaker.

The leader of the workshop will be Andrea Brunello – a renowned physicist and mathematician. He currently teaches a course on scientific storytelling and scientific playwriting at a university in Italy. He has also published articles in some of the most prestigious physics journals, most notably Physical Review Letters and Physical Review A.

• When: Saturday, 13th April 2019 from 10:00-13:00
• Where: Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”
• Tickets

7/ “From Toledo to Plovdiv” Concert

Ever wanted to learn about the ancient and distinctive culture of Sephardic Jews? You can do just that by attending this unique concert. The Jewish songs of the Ladino language, preserved since the time of Miguel de Cervantes, are songs of love, youth, the thrills of the soul and of beauty.

The “From Toledo to Plovdiv” Concert will feature the performance of 20 authentic songs in the Ladino language. The songs will be performed by the Bulgarian actress Eva Volitzer and translation will be available.

• When: Tuesday, 16th April 2019 from 18:00-19:30
• Where: Cultural Center Trakart
• Free entry

The month of April looks like it’s going to be an exciting one for sure! Plovdiv stands behind its reputation as a cultural capital with many amazing and unique events happening all the way throughout the year. If you do happen to visit Plovdiv this April, don’t miss out and see for yourself.