2022. New Horizons  (2022)

The project of Pro Rodopi Foundation – “2022. New Horizons ” includes activities in three of the main strategic directions in the work of the organization over the years. The first focus is the organizing and holding of the 11th edition of the “Adults Forbidden” International Festival for Children and Youth in Smolyan and the region in the autumn of 2022. The second focus is the distribution of already created performances of Pro Rodopi Art Centre in 2 new stage spaces in Bulgaria. The third focus is the international activity of the foundation – the participation of the Centre’s productions in 2 international festivals abroad and in 1 international cultural forum. The project “2022. New Horizons ” takes place in the period 1.01.2022 – 31.12.2022.

Focus 1
The 11th edition of ” Adults Forbidden” Festival will be held from 3 to 7 October 2022 over 25 stages in Smolyan and 20 other mountainous and inaccessible settlements in the area. There will be 34 performances by 11 professional troupes from Bulgaria (mostly independent groups) and abroad. There will also be 1 screening of a new Bulgarian film for children.

The general mission of the festival is to provide access to culture to kids and teenagers from the Middle Rhodope region through performances of high quality professional international and Bulgarian productions. For the past 10 years, the festival has become a leading cultural forum for the whole region. The Municipality of Smolyan included the event in its cultural calendar and supported it, and all other 9 municipalities in the district of the same name hosted performances. For several years, the Smolyan District Administration has been a patron of the festival for the district, and the Smolyan Regional Department of Education is the main partner of the foundation in working with schools, kindergartens, resource centre.

Focus 2
The second important focus of the project is the distribution of already created performances of Pro Rodopi Art Centre in two new stage spaces Bulgaria. 6 performances (a total of 12) of the performances “The Concert” and “Ball-Part 3” in a calendar year are planned in “Stoyu Shishkov” – Regional History Museum Smolyan within the joint initiative of the Foundation and the museum – ” Museum – the new stage space of Smolyan “, launched in 2020, as well as in the new regional cultural center in Sofia – “Toplotsentrala”- a strategic initiative to promote production of the Centre in the Bulgarian capital.

Focus 3
The third focus of the project is the international cooperation of the foundation. Pro Rodopi Art Centre will present its productions “Yellow” at the Festival of Dance Theatre for Young Audiences in Jerusalem (Israel) and “Garbage for Plums” at the International Festival for Children and Youth in Mardin (Turkey). As festival director, Petar Todorov will attend a showcase of dance performances in Amsterdam, organized by the International Choreographic Center ICKAMSTERDAM.

The project is funded by the National Culture Fund through the “One-Year Grant” Programme.