Sofia LGBTI Community Fest
From the community for the community
Sofia LGBTI Community Fest is a community festival held every year in December. It is the longest running community festival in Bulgaria, dating back to 2004, 4 years before the first edition of Sofia Pride.
And how the idea for Sofia LGBTI Community Fest was born?
In its close work with the community, since its establishment in 2004, the Bilitis team identified that there was a need to further develop the capacity of young activists, to introduce them to the history of the international LGBT movement, and to develop their skills in working with institutions. Therefore, in August 2005, the Foundation organized the first activist summer camp for lesbian and bisexual women in Varna. The camp brought together 15 participants from all over the country. During the camp, the idea was born to tell the story of the initiative through a photo exhibition, which was subsequently further developed and thus came the first edition of Sofia LGBT Art Fest, today Sofia LGBTI Community Fest. The Red House Centre for Culture and Debate have been the main host of the Fest and an invaluable partner of Bilitis for 10 years, during which time they have provided a safe space and grant support to help the art initiative spread the word.
Sofia LGBTI Community Fest today
Each year the programme includes more and more diverse discussions and workshops, exhibitions, screenings, parties and performances related to LGBTI and feminism. Each edition includes between 10 and 15 different events featuring artists and activists from both Bulgaria and abroad.
The festival aims to give the LGBTI community a platform for communication, information, support and fun. We strive to address a variety of topics that touch on all letters of “LGBTI” as well as the various intersections of gender, ethnicity, race, age, social status and more.
We give the opportunity to both experienced artists and activists, as well as anyone who has the desire and drive to realize their idea for events or initiatives..
Organizers: The festival is organized by the Bilitis Foundation and mostly thanks to the dedication of a large group of volunteers, without whom the festival would not exist..
Follow Sofia LGBTI Community Fest on social media: Facebook | Instagram
Sofia LGBTI Community Fest is a community festival held every year in December. It is the longest running community festival in Bulgaria, dating back to 2004, 4 years before the first edition of Sofia Pride.
Become a Bilitis donor!
See yourself as part of the change and want to support our work? That's great! Check out the ways to do it.
