The seventh edition of the festival is aimed at the cultural dialogue and the presentation of international professional networks and associations in Sofia in honour of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2018.

The focus beyond the borders of Bulgaria is to show a selection of works in Brazil, Japan, China, Kosovo and Finland, as well as in Argentina, France, Israel and Germany. The discussion of environmental issues takes form through works made from handmade and recycled paper incorporating the implementation of new technologies. To this end, the festival partners with local and international organizations, museums and galleries, universities and schools.

For the first time, the foundation is organising a workshop for the blind, in collaboration with the Union of the Blind in Bulgaria, thus aiming to unlock the interest in the art form of a neglected audience. The touch point of the so-called visual arts and the blind became a constructive endeavour. The exhibition includes works with Braille and interactive elements. The speaker is Angela Barbour, a Brazilian artist with many years of experience working with the blind.

Sofia Paper Art Fest successfully transformed the Largo on the European Night of Museums with the iconic Paper Street and accompanying events, presenting what is possible for the integration of art into the dynamics of the city.

For the ninth consecutive year, Amateras Annual Exhibition/Competition for Paper Art took place, an exhibition bearing the name of the foundation and giving birth to the idea of the festival. The event was held at the Finesse Gallery between 11 May and 30 May. 67 artists from 24 countries were selected in the competition!

Jury:
Angela Barbour, Brazil
Eliana Anghinah, Brazil
Todor Todorov, Bulgaria

Awards:
Amateras Grand Prix: Charmian Pollock;
Prize for Innovation: Noriko Amano;
Prize for Emerging Artist: Maritza Granados;
Prize for Bulgarian Artist: Tsveta Petrova;
Certificate for Art on Paper: Gundel Hädeler;Certificate for Versatility of all 3 Artworks: Wilhelm Schramm;
Certificate for Honorable Mention: Atsumi Murata, Kakuko Ishii, Leticia Burgos.

The selected artists in the 2017 competition are:
Argentina: Alejandra Koreck, Elvira Cibotti, Leticia Burgos, Gabriela Nirino, Eva Toker;
Australia: Cleo Wilkinson, Heather Matthew, Jacki Parry;
Austria: Wilhelm Schramm;
Bulgaria: Adriana Boyadjieva, Anelia Alekxandrova, Anelia Nikolova, Аtanas Michaltchev, Galina Dokova, Denis Rusev, Gergana Mihova, Juliana Krasteva, Katerina Yordanova, Krasimira Drenska, Kristina Varbanova, Kristina Yakimova, Martina Karaivanova, Mariya Driyanovska, Milena Radeva, Nia Decheva, Tzveta Patrova, Simona Vladimirova, Veselka Nikolova, Vihra Vasileva, Veska Abad;
Canada: Collette Broeders;
Colombia: Maritza Granados;
Cyprus: Sofi Hadjipapa;
Estonia: Tiiu Kirsipuu;
Finland: Minna Marinna;
France: Florence Pinson-Ynden;
Germany: Traudel Stahl, Kathrin Messerschmidt, Gesa Reuter, Angelika Wolpert, Verena Friedrich, Josephine Tabbert, Jutta Barth, Gundel Hädeler, Christiane Gaebert, Elke Lückener, Siegrid Mueller Holtz;
Israel: Sefi Gal, Laura Behar;
Japan: Wakako Ishisone, Kakuko Ishii, Atsumi Murata, Noriko Amano, Junko O'Neill;
Korea: Kwon Hye Jeong;
Netherland: Loes Schepens;
Norway: Kirsti Grotmol;
Romania: Adriana Lucaciu;
Sweden: Christina Måneskiöld;
Singapore: Mithra Do Jeevananthan;
Slovenia: Metka Pepelnak;
Scotland: Charmian Pollok;
Switzerland: Elisabeth Jobin Sanglard, Nicole Bonnemain, Marie Louise Glinz;
Turkey: Berna Isbilir Aydin;
UK: Jane Walker.

Exhibitions:
• “Save Nature Through Art”, Mazda Gallery (9 May – 6 June);
• “Earth Visions”, solo exhibition of Eliana Anghinah, Arthur Gallery (15 May – 21 May);
• “Seeds of Time”, solo exhibition of Angela Barbour, Brazil, Sofia Press Gallery (16 May – 30 May);
• “Ancient Messages”, Todor Todorov and Daniela Todorova, travel project for the BG Presidency of the Council of EU 2018, The Mission Gallery (18 May – 31 May);
• “Play With Fire”, solo exhibition of Adriana Boyadjieva, Arte Gallery (20 May – 24 May).

Key event:
• Sofia – a host city of the BG Presidency of the Council of EU 2018, The Mission Gallery, State Institute for Culture (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) – 22 Embassies

Theatre:
• “We, the Sparrows”, Sofia Puppet Theatre;
• “The Sold Laughter”, Sofia Puppet Theatre;

Performance:
• “Seeds of Time” by Angela Barbour, Largo

Workshops:
• “The Children and Their World”, Largo, “Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi” Private School, Chinese Cultural Institute “Confucius”;
• Interactive workshop for blinds by Angela Barbour, Finesse Gallery.

Presentations and lectures:
• IAPMA and SPAF, Daniela Todorova, NGAR “Saint Lucca”;
• Japanese Achievements, Mazda Gallery.

Accompanying events:
• European Night of Museums (20 May)
• The Paper Street, Largo
• Kids Revue, Largo
• Paper Fashion, Students Project
• Japanese Paper Art

Amateras Foundation thanks to all participants who played a role in the Sofia Paper Art Fest 2017!

In “Save Nature through Art”, SPAF 2017, 81 artists from 25 countries participated:
Argentina: Alejandra Koreck, Elvira Cibotti, Leticia Burgos, Gabriela Nirino, Eva Toker;
Australia: Cleo Wilkinson, Heather Matthew, Jacki Parry;
Austria: Wilhelm Schramm;
Brazil: Eliana Anghinah, Angela Barbour;
Bulgaria: Adriana Boyadjieva, Anelia Alekxandrova, Anelia Nikolova, Аtanas Michaltchev, Galina Dokova, Daniela Todorova, Denis Rusev, Gergana Mihova, Juliana Krasteva, Katerina Yordanova, Krassimira Drenska, Kristina Varbanova, Kristina Yakimova, Martina Karaivanova, Mariya Driyanovska, Milena Radeva, Nia Decheva, Tzveta Patrova, Simona Vladimirova, Veselka Nikolova, Vihra Vasileva, Veska Abad;
Canada: Collette Broeders;
Colombia: Maritza Granados;
Cyprus: Sofi Hadjipapa;
Estonia: Tiiu Kirsipuu;
Finland: Minna Marinna;
France: Florence Pinson-Ynden;
Germany: Traudel Stahl, Kathrin Messerschmidt, Gesa Reuter, Angelika Wolpert, Verena Friedrich, Josephine Tabbert, Jutta Barth, Gundel Hädeler, Christiane Gaebert, Elke Lückener, Siegrid Mueller Holtz;
Israel: Sefi Gal, Laura Behar;
Japan: Mitsuru Kuroki, Toru Korita, Wakako Ishisone, Kakuko Ishii, Atsumi Murata, Noriko Amano, Junko O'Neill, Jeoong Moon, Junko Suzuki, Mami Idei, Kihachiro Nishiura, Koko Shimomura, Mayumi Tsukudar, Mitsue Ito;
Korea: Kwon Hye Jeong;
The Netherlands: Loes Schepens;
Norway: Kirsti Grotmol;
Romania: Adriana Lucaciu;
Sweden: Christina Måneskiöld;
Singapore: Mithra Do Jeevananthan;
Slovenia: Metka Pepelnak;
Scotland: Charmian Pollok;
Switzerland: Elisabeth Jobin Sanglard, Nicole Bonnemain, Marie Louise Glinz;
Turkey: Berna Isbilir Aydin;
UK: Jane Walker.

Over 200 artists participated in the Paper Art Academy, Exchange and Guest Exhibitions, Art in Urban Environment, Theatre and Film, Green Architecture and Accompanying Events sections.

Amateras Foundation is sincerely grateful to all institutions, sponsors, spaces and media partners who supported Sofia Paper Art Fest 2017!

Institutions:
Ministry of Culture, Bulgaria
National Culture Fund, Bulgaria
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bulgaria
Sofia Municipality
Embassy of Bulgaria in Brazil
Embassy of China in Bulgaria
Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria
State Institute for Culture, Bulgaria
Bulgarian Festivals Association
European Festivals Association – EFFE
Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation, Brazil
Confucius Cultural Institute, Veliko Turnovo
Bulgarian Cultural Institute, Paris
French Institute, Bulgaria

Museums and galleries:
History Museum of Brazil Art, Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation, Brazil
Mazda Gallery
Finesse Gallery
The Mission gallery
Sofia Press Gallery
Arthur Gallery
Arte Gallery

Associations:
NEXUS – Japan
Shans chrez Umenia
Perelik Eco Jazz Fest 2017
EcoCentric – forum for ecology

Theatres:
Sofia Puppet Theatre

Educational institutions:
National Academy of Art, Sofia
“Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi” Private High School

Private companies:
Mazda
Number ONE
GP Group

Media partners:
Bulgarian National Radio
Jazz FM
Osem Magazine
Programata
Eva
Sofia Live
Actualno.com
Vij Mag
Peika.bg