EUROPEAN NIGHT OF MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES – SOFIA 2025

If you're planning a visit to Sofia in May, there’s no better time than the European Night of Museums and Galleries – Sofia 2025, which will take place on May 17. For one night only, nearly 80 cultural institutions will open their doors for free exhibitions, concerts, films, and workshops, turning the city into a stage of art and history. Most venues are located in the very heart of the capital – just a few minutes’ walk from our stylish central Sofia apartments. Staying with us places you right at the heart of the vibrant program, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the magic of this cultural night. An unforgettable experience awaits you in a city where the past and present meet at every step.

On Saturday, May 17, the 21st edition of the European Night of Museums – Sofia 2025 will take place.

Almost 80 museums and galleries will participate in the cultural program with exhibitions, concerts, films, workshops, and guided tours. The event is organized by the French Institute in Bulgaria, the Yordan Petkov Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sofia Municipality, and supported by BNP Paribas, Total Energies, and Naos Bulgaria.

Entry is free for all residents and guests of the capital, unless otherwise noted in the program.

Program – European Night of Museums and Galleries – Sofia 2025

Museums

• Regional History Museum – Sofia (www.sofiahistorymuseum.bg) 1 Banski Square, near Serdika Metro Station, just minutes from our apartments.  12:00–23:00 (last entry at 22:30)
• Triangular Tower of Serdica – Branch of the Regional History Museum – Sofia 16 Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd, near our apartments.  12:00–23:00 (last entry at 22:30)
• Ancient Cultural and Communication Complex “Serdica” – Branch of the Regional History Museum – Sofia 1 Independence Square, 2 Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd, near Serdika Metro Station.  12:00–23:00 (last entry at 22:30)
• Archaeological Level of St. Sofia Basilica – Branch of the Regional History Museum – Sofia 2 Paris St.  10:00–18:00
• National Museum of Natural History at BAS (www.nmnhs.com) 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd, 10 minutes from our apartments.  18:30–23:00
• National Institute of Archaeology with Museum at BAS (www.naim.bg) 1 Atanas Burov Square / 2 Saborna St., near the Presidency, 6–7 minutes away.  18:00–23:30
• National Gallery – The Palace (www.nationalgallery.bg) 1 Knyaz Alexander I Battenberg Square, minutes away from our apartments.  19:00–00:00
• Kvadrat 500 Gallery – Branch of the National Gallery 1 19th February St., near Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, 15 minutes away.  From 19:00
• Museum of Christian Art – Branch of the National Gallery Crypt of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, 15 minutes away.  19:00–22:00
• Museum of Socialist Art – Branch of the National Gallery 7 Lachezar Stanchev St., Izgrev district, near GM Dimitrov Metro Station (M1 & M4).  19:00–00:00

• Exhibitions: “Sofia. 110 Years of Vladimir Manske,” “Archaeology of Sofia and the Region,” “Western Gate of Serdica Archaeological Park”, and more.

• “Bestiary” – illustrations and animal drawings by Prof. Viktor Paunov.
• VR sessions (3D digital reconstruction of the tower): 14:00–16:00 and 18:00–20:00.

• Permanent archaeological exhibition: ancient homes, streets, and facilities.
• 15:00–18:00: Children’s creative workshops – part of the “School of Archaeology” project.
• 17:30–19:00: “The Power of Melody” – Concert by the AGBU Chamber Orchestra.
• 20:00: Educational lecture: “How Khan Krum Conquered Serdica: Medieval Sieges” (adapted for children and youth).

• Permanent archaeological exhibition: remains, burial facilities, ancient mosaics.
• 17:30: Guided walking tour – from St. Sofia Square to the archaeological level and basilica, Clock House, Malko Tarnovo St., Central Department Store, and Banski Square.

• Permanent exhibition showcasing Earth’s biodiversity and mineralogy, including unique lunar samples and Martian meteorites.

• Permanent exhibits: Prehistory, Treasury, Medieval Hall, and the Central Hall.
• Temporary exhibits: “Chronicles in Steel: Cold Weapons from Medieval Bulgaria” and “Bulgarian Archaeology 2024” (500+ items from 32 sites explored in 2024).

• Exhibitions: “The Palace of Art,” “In Their Place” – Vladimir Karamazov, “Wars,” “Cramped in a Corner (Future) Exhibition #4” – Nedko Solakov.
• 20:00 & 21:00: Tours of “The Palace of Art” exhibition.

• 19:00: Children’s workshop
• 19:30: Student performances (DMU Lyubomir Pipkov – Hall 16)
• 20:00: Exhibition “Painting with Wool and Silk” – Floor 6
• 21:00 & 22:00: Tours of Halls 20 and 21

• Permanent exhibition.

• Exhibition: “Art, Ideology, and Propaganda”
• 20:00: Guided tour of the exhibition

Let me know if you'd like this in a downloadable format or a printable version.

 

Museums

Sofia Arsenal - Museum of Contemporary Art, branch of the National Gallery – located at 2 Cherni Vrah Blvd., near the National Palace of Culture (NDK) and the Hilton Hotel. It’s about a 20-minute walk or metro ride from our apartments via line M2 (nearest: European Union station). ???? 19:00–00:00 – “What Connects Us – Group Exhibition”

National History Museum (www.historymuseum.org) – at 16 Vitoshko Lale St., Boyana District. 18:00–00:00 – Temporary exhibitions:

• “Through the Prism of Borders – Episode 2”
• “The World of Dirigibles: The Bulgarian Odyssey in the Clouds” 19:30–21:00 – Special event: Musical performance by Romantico.

National Museum of Military History (www.militarymuseum.bg) – at 92 Cherkovna St., near Serdika Center Mall. 18:00–22:00 – Prize-winning game. 19:00–20:00 – Concert by the Representative Brass Band of the Bulgarian Land Forces.  21:00–22:00 – Cinema at the Museum

Earth and Man National Museum (www.earthandman.org) – at 4 Cherni Vrah Blvd., near NDK and the Hilton Hotel. 18:00–23:00 – Permanent exhibitions and temporary shows:

• “Smart Minerals for Smart Phones”
• “Jaspers from the Srednogorie”
• “Minerals and Colorful Creatures – Nature’s Paintings”
• “New Acquisitions 2024”

National Polytechnic Museum (www.polytechnic-museum.com) – at 66 Opalchenska St., near Opalchenska Metro Station (M1 & M4). 18:00–22:00 – Temporary exhibitions:

• “Iconic Cars in Miniature”
• Mini LEGO exhibition
• Joint show with the Institute of Optical Materials and Technologies at BAS 18:00 & 20:00 – “Physics in Action” Experiments Ticketed entry: 10 BGN

National Anthropological Museum (BAS) (www.iempam.bas.bg) – at 73 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd. 18:00 – Official opening:

• Performance by El Nina dance school
• Exhibition: “Codes of Identity – Faith, Language, Nation”
• Game: “Favorite Bulgarian Word” 18:30–20:30 – Bioimpedance analysis & multimedia presentation: Anthropology – The Science of Humans 19:00–20:00 – Genealogy workshop 20:00–20:30 – Lecture: Scoliosis 20:30–21:30 – Scoliosis screening ???? & ???? 21:30 & 22:30 – Guided museum tours with expert commentary

National Literary Museum (www.nlmuseum.bg)

• Ivan Vazov House Museum, 10 Ivan Vazov St. – 18:00–22:00 – Permanent exhibition
• Peyo Yavorov House Museum, 136 Rakovski St. – 17:00–22:00 – Household exhibition (10–12 visitors at a time)
• Petko and Pencho Slaveykov House Museum, 138 Rakovski St., 1st floor – 18:00–22:00 – Permanent exhibition
• Nikola Vaptsarov House Museum, 37 Angel Kanchev St. – 18:00–22:00 – Temporary exhibition: “Four Poetic Elements” (personal items and works by Blaga Dimitrova, Vanya Petkova, Vesna Parun, and Stanka Pencheva)

Boris Christoff National Museum (www.borischristoff.com) – at 43 Tsar Samuil St., a few minutes' walk from the apartments. 19:00–23:00 – Photo exhibition “Rome. Boris Christoff” 20:00 – Documentary: “Dreams Fulfilled” 21:00 – Documentary: “Letter from Tuscany”

State Cultural Institute – Pancho Vladigerov House Museum (www.vladigerov.org) – 10 Yakubitsa St., Lozenets. 16:00–22:00 – Permanent exhibition: “Life and Work of Pancho Vladigerov” 19:30 – Concert by children from Orion School of Music and Dance

Museum of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" – 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. 18:00–23:00 –

• Museum of Mineralogy, Petrology & Useful Minerals – Rectorate, South Wing, 5th Floor
• Museum of Paleontology and Historical Geology – Rectorate, North Wing, 5th Floor

Radio History Exhibition “Prof. Dr. Veselin Dimitrov” – 9 Moskovska St. 18:00–23:00

New Bulgarian University Museum (www.museum.nbu.bg) – NBU Library “Prof. Bogdan Bogdanov,” Ovcha Kupel, 21 Montevideo St. (near M3 metro: Mizia Station) 11:00–15:00 – “Volume in the Museum” – Exhibition by Kalia Kalacheva and Gergana Tabakova

Applied Arts Workshop – 3 Khimitliyski Prohod St., Motopista District (Yellow House, 1st floor, near South Park) 13:00–19:00 – 1-hour ceramics workshops for kids & adults (5 sessions; reservation required by May 16)

The House of Teacher Petar Dunov – 66 Opalchenska St. 18:00–00:00 – Exhibition: “Collection of Sermons by Petar Dunov” (printed until Dec 1944) Meet researchers and creators of the film “The Teacher of the White Brotherhood”

Galleries

Sofia City Art Gallery – SCAG (www.sghg.bg) – 1 Gen. Gurko St. (entrance from Knyaz Alexander I Batenberg St., near Ivan Vazov Theatre) 18:00–23:30 –

• “Emil Stoychev: Imagination is My Lifeblood” (Halls 1 & 2)
• “I, the Artist – 90 Years of Stefan Gatzev” (2nd floor)

Vaska Emanouilova Gallery – SCAG Branch – 15 Yanko Sakazov Blvd., near Zaimov Park 18:00–23:30 – “Romantic Species” – by Alexandra Chaushova

Dechko Uzunov Gallery-Museum (www.dug.sghg.bg) – 24 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., Izgrev (near Joliot Curie metro station) 18:00–23:30 – “Heritage” Program: Visual Motifs of Bulgarian Maidens and Brides

Academy Gallery of the National Academy of Arts – NAA (www.nha.bg) – 1 Shipka St., near Sofia University & metro 10:30–22:30 – Exhibition celebrating 70 years of artist Ziyatin Nuriev

Union of Bulgarian Artists – UBA Gallery (www.sbh.bg) – 6 Shipka St., near SU metro 11:00–00:00 –

• “Disturbances / Lost World” (Hall 1A)
• National exhibition “Drawing and Small Sculpture” (Hall 2A)
• Eliezer Alshekh painting exhibition (Hall 1B)
• “Centaur” by Ivo Bistrichki (Hall 1C)

Raiko Alexiev Hall – UBA – 125 Rakovski St. 11:00–00:00 – Sculpture exhibition by Pavel Koychev: “Masculine, Feminine, Neuter – Singular and Plural”

Archives Exhibition Hall – State Archives Agency (archives.government.bg) – 5 Moskovska St. 17:00–23:00 – “Foods and Drinks of Bulgarians: From Oriental Cuisine to the Canteen”

Octopus Gallery – Underpass between the Council of Ministers and the Presidency, beneath the steps from Dondukov Blvd. 16:00–21:30 – “Fragile Contours” by Martin Atanasov

Auction House ENAKOR (www.enakor.com) – 30 Denkoglu St., right next to the apartments 18:00–22:00 – Permanent display of icons, paintings, antique furniture, and objects from Dr. Ruzha Marinska’s collection

Intro Gallery – 28 Tsar Samuil St. ???? 17:00–22:00 – “The River” – solo painting exhibition by Gredi Assa

Astri Gallery (www.astrygallery.com) – 34 Tsar Samuil St. 11:00–22:00 –

• “The Power of Silence” – paintings by Iliya Yonchev
• Debut interactive show by Anastas Anastasov (audience-participation from 16:00)

Absent Watercolor Gallery – 37 Tsar Samuil St. 12:00–22:00 – “Algeria–Sofia” – watercolor exhibition by Ilies Belkaid

Maestro Gallery – 37 Tsar Samuil St. 18:00–21:00 – Group exhibition of contemporary Bulgarian painting

Graphically Gallery – 38 Tsar Samuil St. 14:00–23:00 – “Drops” – paintings by Dafina Mollova, Delya Chaushova, Tsvetan Kazandzhiev, Vasil Vasilev-Vaso, and others

Gallery PARIS (www.gallery-paris.com) – 47 Tsar Samuil St. 17:00–22:00 – Solo painting exhibition “Kaleidoscope” by Ivan Stratiev

SPAZIO Gallery – 47 Tsar Samuil St. 17:00–21:00 – Group exhibition + “Instructions for Everyday Life” – solo by Raymundo Figueroa

Gallery Shop Spoluka – 47–49 Tsar Samuil St. 11:00–22:00 – Contemporary Bulgarian art, ceramics, and jewelry Participating in “Directions” at Contrast Gallery

Contrast Gallery – 49 Tsar Samuil St. 11:00–23:00 – “Directions” – joint exhibition of 11 galleries (Absent, Asen Vasilev, Astri, Graphically, Intro, Contrast, Maestro, Paris, Slon, Spazio, Spoluka)

DOZA Gallery – 52 Tsar Samuil St. 19:00–21:00 – “Chronicles of Transformation” – by Anton Stoyanov (curated by Domenico de Chirico)

Asen Vasilev Gallery – 48 Solunska St. 17:00–22:00 – Group exhibition

Serdika Gallery – at 90B Tsar Samuil St., floor 2 From 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM – Pottery and ceramics workshop for kids and adults, led by Atanaska and Alexander Kostovi.

• Slon Gallery (www.slongallery.com) – at 12 William Gladstone St., a few minutes’ walk from our apartments. From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Graphic art exhibition by Vasil Angelov, created using the Mezzotint technique.

• Rakursi Gallery (www.rakursi.com) – at 4A Khan Krum St. From 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Exhibition: “The Dream of the Argonaut or the Other Voyage” by Atanas Hranov.

• HERITAGE Gallery – at 68 G. S. Rakovski St. From 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM – “A Little Night Music” – joint painting exhibition by contemporary Bulgarian artists Blagovest Zerliev and Silvana Papadami (hosts of HERITAGE Gallery). From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Art jam session featuring rock singer Tanya Di, Blagovest Zerliev (former vocalist of bands Atlas and Akustika), and friends.

• Synthesis Gallery (www.photosynthesis.bg) – at 55 Vasil Levski Blvd. (in the courtyard of PhotoSynthesis). From 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM – “Honestly, I Want to Eat Only Fog Like a Hermit” – exhibition by Belgian photographer Catherine Longly. At 4:00 PM – Exhibition tour with Catherine Longly (in English).

• [A] Cube Contemporary Gallery – at 9 Lyuben Karavelov St. From 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM – “The Dream Narrator” – painting exhibition by Vasil Vasilev-Vaso.

• ONE Gallery (www.onegallery.eu) – at 1A Dyakon Ignatiy St. From 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM – “Instructions for Daily Life” – solo exhibition by Raymundo Figueroa.

• LITTLE BIRD PLACE Gallery (www.littlebirdplace.com) – at 7 11th August St. From 1:30 PM to 10:00 PM – “Bare Earth” – exhibition by Ivo Bistrichki. Tours at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.

• Harta Gallery (www.chartagallery.com) – at 12 Vrubcha St. From 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM – “Encounters” – exhibition by Ivo Milev. At 8:00 PM – Exhibition tour.

• DEPOO Gallery – at 12 Vrubcha St. From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM – “White Noise” – site-specific exhibition by Gabi Grigorova.

• Arosita Gallery (www.arosita.info) – at 12B Vrubcha St. From 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM – SORRY, I apologize by Assen Yanev.

• Punta and Posta Galleries – at 37 Stefan Stambolov Blvd. and 34 Dondukov Blvd., respectively.

• Punta – from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM – “Are You a Modern Girl? Rituals & Nowness I” – exhibition by Veronika Desova, Sofia Dimova, Geri Georgieva, Juno Calypso, Otucha Collective.
• Posta – from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM – Solo exhibition by Jazu Young.

• VIVACOM ART HALL – at 5 Oborishte St. From 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM – Exhibitions: “Queens” by Georgi Andonov (a tribute to femininity and strength) and “New Life” by Gergana Stoyanova (painting and mosaic).

• CABLE DEPOT Gallery – at 39 Stefan Stambolov Blvd. From 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM – “Sometimes Hunger Can Be Mistaken for Thirst” by Sara Pager. From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Vernissage.

• Denitsa Gallery – at 24 Stefan Karadzha St. From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM – “Spring in Our Hearts” – group exhibition.

• +359 Gallery (www.plus359gallery.com) – at 13A Galichitsa St. From 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM – Tension – solo exhibition by Clemens Wolf. At 6:00 PM – Exhibition tour.

• Club Gallery - Toplocentralata – at 5 Emil Berlinsky St. From 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM – “High Voices” exhibition. From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM – Side event: group reflection “When We Used to Think with Our Lungs...”.

• HOSTGALLERY – in Hipodruma district, at 102 I. E. Geshov Blvd. (inner entrance). From 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM – RUN & PLAY – Exhibition 02 by Nikola Tsvetanov (2nd in a series dedicated to contemporary graphic and video art). Features works by 13 Bulgarian and international artists: FXXXism – Iv Toshain and Anna Ceeh, Slava George, Vikenti Komitski, Neno Belchev, Nikodim Chernev, Nikola Stoyanov, Assen Yanev, Simona Racheva, Stefani Nedelcheva, Bozhana Slavkova, Georgi Pavlov, and Diana Bunkin.

Spaces

• L44 – at 44 Neofit Rilski St., a few minutes’ walk from our apartments. From 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Lepidoptera – exhibition by Yana Popova combining screen printing and a natural flower installation.

• Space 111 – at 7 Slaveykov Square (in the passage), a few minutes’ walk from our apartments. From 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM – “Duo” – joint exhibition by Angelika Radeva and Zlatin Orlov.

• Swimming Pool (www.swimmingpoolprojects.org) – at 10 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., floor 5 From 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM – “Unearthing Landscapes” – workshop and discussion with Jack Catling, Matthew Luck Galpin, and David Stern from Parlour Collective (part of the International Portrait Film Festival program). Includes a short lecture on spatial geometry in film production by Parlour Collective, followed by a charcoal and chalk drawing session on projected film landscapes. Materials provided. From 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – Free exploration of Swimming Pool.

• Central University Library of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” – at 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. From 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM

• Bulgarian Fund for Women: “Truth, Hard to Swallow” – Sofia Largo, a few minutes’ walk from our apartments.

From 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – "Bulgarian Women on a Strict Diet" by the Guerrilla Girls and an action in support of the initiative “Fund for Artistic Projects by Women.”

Spaces

Porta Space – 5 Triaditsa St. From 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM – "BACKSTAGE" – an exhibition by Mitko Damov, dedicated to the work of fashion studios. Special musical performance by Magdalena Petrović – cello – on every full hour.

Bobina Cultural Space (www.bobbina.org) – 5A Triaditsa St. From 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM – "Living Exhibits" – the artists become part of the exhibition. "Exhibits" is a creative platform by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation, combining contemporary art and ecology.

BECA Center of Visual Storytelling (www.beforecreating.com) – 57 Vasil Levski Blvd. (side entrance) From 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM – "Blue, But the Sky is Gone" – the debut photography exhibition by Blagovesta Semkova. Before that, at 7:00 PM – official opening with the artist present – ARTIST TALK and curator-led tour.

KO-OP Art Space – 64 Dimitar Petkov St., Sveta Troitsa district From 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM – solo exhibition by Zlatimir Arakliev.

The House of Sofia – 12 Midzhur St., Lozenets district From 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM – "Intimate" – an exhibition by Albena Hristova.

“Vlaykova” Cinema – 11 Tsar Ivan Asen II St. From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM – screenings from the International Portrait Film Festival program:

• Leaves of Three – dir. Julia de Guzman, USA – experimental eco-film exploring parallels between humans, plants, and the planet.
• THE LANGUAGE OF LIGHT: PONCH HAWKES – dir. Fiona Cochrane, Australia – documentary on the life of photographer Ponch Hawkes.
• A Forgotten Childhood – dir. Astrid Ardag, Norway – poetic self-portrait with footage from the director’s childhood.
• Another Oppenheimer – dir. John Aker, USA – animated film about Frank Oppenheimer (the lesser-known brother).
• THE MAYOR – dir. David Djambazov, Bulgaria/Ukraine – documentary about the mayor of the Ukrainian town of Chortkiv and his hope that people will return one day.
• Ears of Belgrade – dir. Andrey Krechetov, Serbia – the story of Igor, his accordion, and the urban landscape of Belgrade.

From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM – open access to the Vlaykova lobby exhibition – featuring rarely seen posters of iconic films, behind-the-scenes photos capturing moments with beloved directors and actors, and Bulgarian VHS covers from the 80s and 90s.

For more information, visit the official website: www.museumnight.bg, the website of the French Institute in Bulgaria: www.institutfrancais.bg, or the individual websites of participating museums and galleries.

 

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