2024-08-31 23:04:31
The “Rivers of Sofia” festival began in Sofia, unlocking a new location on the banks of the Pearl River in the South Park, organizers from the “Collective” reported, quoted by BTA.
More than 50 cultural events are planned. One of the highlights is the international exhibition “City Rivers 2050”, which will present the visions for the future of urban rivers of 12 finalists from the international artistic competition.
“Although Sofia does not have its great Seine or Thames crossing its center, more than 30 small rivers pass through the territory of the city – a rare asset for the landscape of a European capital. In every neighborhood of Sofia there is a river that springs clean from the mountains surrounding the city and descends to meet the problems of the urban environment,” says Martin Yankov, landscape architect and founder of the Collective.
“The main problem of Sofia’s rivers is the lack of a strategy for their protection and development. We are not the first capital to have problems with the cleanliness of its rivers, with their pollution by sewage water and household waste. There are many cities in Europe and around the world that face the same challenges as us. Fortunately, we are increasingly seeing good examples that prove that investments in the restoration and socialization of urban rivers have a huge added value for a city – economically, socially and climatically,” Yankov adds.
This year, in addition to a cultural program with music, artistic installations and events for children, a conference “The Future of the Pearl River” will be held as part of the festival. It will focus on the development of the famous capital river. Mayors will take part in the event of different metropolitan areas, urban planning experts from the Metropolitan Municipality, as well as external experts, who together will discuss the possible future of the river.
As part of the “Rivers of Sofia” festival, three of the five days of the “On the Shore” international film festival will also continue.
