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Deadline for online application: 30.09.2026

The Festival of Contemporary Bulgarian Ceramics / 2026 will be held in the city of Sofia from 21 Dec 2026 until 20 Jan 2027 with the kind assistance of the Ministry of Culture and the support of Union of Bulgarian Artists (UBA).


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Theme of the Festival: "The Texture of Time"


Time doesn't just leave traces – it creates textures. In every crack, every surface and every memory lies a story that ceramic art can tell. We expext you with new creative searches in this beautiful theme.


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Eligibility Criteria


Participants

  • The festival is open to all artists working with ceramic silicate materials. For modern and conceptual designs, alternative treatments and materials are permitted to convey the artist's concept.
  • The use of cold decoration on ceramics is strictly prohibited.


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Artworks

  • Each artist may submit up to three original artworks created within the last three years.
  • Artists may only participate in the festival with their jury-selected works.


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Application Form

  • To participate, applicants must complete the Google application form and attach all needed additional documents by 30 Sep 2026. Find the application form here

If you are filling out the old application form, we kindly request that you do NOT fill it out by hand, as this complicates the catalog creation process. The old form will only be accepted as a Word document (.docx/.doc). Please do NOT embed photos inside the Word file; instead, attach them directly to the email or share them via a Google link.


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Images of Artworks

  • Candidates must upload digital images of each artwork via Google. Photos should show the piece from different angles on a clean, neutral background, formatted as jpg with a resolution of 300 dpi.
  • Each image file name must include the following details in English: artist name, artwork title, dimensions, and year of creation. Example: Ivan Ivanov_Sleepless Night_20x20x20cm_2025
  • If the artwork requires a specific display setup in the exhibition hall, an additional layout diagram must be included.
  • Supplementary images and information can also be sent electronically to festival-2018@abv.bg or by mail to: UBA (Union of Bulgarian Artists), Ceramics Section, 6 Shipka St., Sofia 1504, Bulgaria, by 30 Sep 2026.


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Artist Information and Portrait


Each artist must provide a black-and-white portrait photo of themselves, a brief biography (CV), and a supporting statement or creative concept to be used in the exhibition catalog.


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Packaging, Submission, and Return of Works


Packaging of Works: We kindly request all works to be sent in secure, lightweight plastic or wooden packaging that protects them from potential damage. Each box must be clearly labeled with the artist's name and include a diagram or instructions on how to open and close it if the artwork requires special handling.

Submission of Works: Artworks will be accepted on December 17, 2026, at Sredets Gallery.

Address: 17 Aleksandar Stamboliyski Blvd., Sofia 1000, Bulgaria.

Return of Works: Following the conclusion of the exhibition on January 21, 2027, the ceramic exhibits can be collected directly from the gallery. Works belonging to guest artists from across the country and abroad will also be dispatched from this location. Alternatively, the pieces can be shipped via courier services. For further information and to arrange the returns, please contact Elena Videnova, Secretary of the Ceramics Section at Union of Bulgarian Artists, tel: +359 888 945 184.


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Jury


The five-member selection jury reviews the applications and makes the selection by 4 Oct 2026. The jury reserves the right to make a final decision on the exhibition of the already selected works after they are presented in their original form in the exhibition hall.


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Fees

  • Each participant pays a participation fee as follows:
    Students and pensioners: €20
    UBA members: €25
    Non-members of UBA: €30
    Foreign guests: €50 (catalog is included in price)
  • The fee can be paid at the accounting office of the Union of Bulgarian Artists or by bank transfer:
    Name: Union of Bulgarian Artist
    Bank: Unicredit Bulbank,
    Address: Vasil Levski Monument branch
    BIC: UNCR BGSF
    IBAN: BG47UNCR 7630 1078 5769 26
  • The fee is not refundable if the application is rejected.
  • Participants bear the costs of transportation and insurance (if any) of the works to the specified address and back.
  • The organizers guarantee the security of the received works during the exhibition, but do not assume responsibility for problems that arise during transportation and after the exhibition.


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Catalog


The catalog has been a tradition of the Festival of Contemporary Ceramics for 9 consecutive years. With it, we give sustainability to the event and the opportunity to be used by students, doctoral students, patrons and researchers of ceramic art in Bulgaria. Over the years, we have established this tradition and we wish it to continue.

This year, since we do not have funding from the Ministry of Culture, if no money is raised from the participants for a catalog, there will be no catalog. All sponsors of the event are welcome. If you would like to donate money for its creation, please contact me, Elena Videnova, tel: +359888945184.


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Awards


1. Overall Performance Award

2. Young Artist Award

3. Institute, Gallery, Company or Organization Award

The awards are determined by a five-member jury composed of prominent artists and art critics. The jury's vote is not subject to change.

Groups:
  • Конкурси
  • Събития