Culture in Sofia
Sofia is home to an outstanding array of cultural events, invariably of such high quality and low price that you'll be struggling to see them all unless you're here for a very long time!
Mainstays throughout the year include excellent ballet, theatre and modern dance companies, in addition to annual events such as the International Jazz Festival (in November) and Sofia Music Weeks (for 2 months from May). There are several interesting galleries, from the traditional fare of the National Art Gallery to the more contemporary Ledressa Gallery, and the choice of museums on offer is second to none. If you don't think you'll have time to see everything then check our editors' choice for our recommendations!
Reviews about Culture in Sofia
I wrote a complaint of your national lacks on July 2012 that was dated by your idiots as 10/10. Previously I had written a message dated 3/2oo7, which was dated by you as 8/10. Can't you get anything right? Oh, by the way, can you ask former president Zhikov's daughter where she got the painting that is called Elizabeth I of England? Both I and other international experts think the painting is of lady Lettice Knollys. It would be of GREAT help if your people could provide some sort of honest provenance. Watchfully waiting, with great enthusiasm, for a truthful ansswer. Albert Nason historian
I wrote something in 2006 and was surprised there was nothing on this site since 2010! I admit your are dull as mud but let's get this straight--it's a beautiful museum and there could be a lot of fun and profit in it if the staff could "get a life" and Interact in a friendly positive way with their guests (read: customers). Instead the custodians are dull and blah, more like secret police than informed museum personnel. From evidence of this website alone, I am amazed and disappointed--there have been no comments for 2011, and for six months of 2012? You museum people are zombies: I toured Sofia and then Greece to see Byzantine Orthodox chapels and monasteries. Still, I enjoyed your museum, thanks to myself, not you.
Really very interesting, especially if you are into Classical sculpture and artefacts.
An under-appreciated museum, it's full of art from around the world. I especially enjoyed the Paris between wars exhibition.
A truly fascinating place. Agree with the other reviewers about the quality ... and the kids!
The museum was amazing, with a range of exhibits dating from the bronze age, through the Thracians and Romans to the Medieval. The bronze head which graces the museum ticket is astounding.
Really brilliant gallery, if you can manage to ignore the staff - which I found much easier to do once I really started paying attention to the details of some works. Brilliant!
I visited last week (2/12). Although Sunday, weather fine, and plenty of people around the city, it was very quite inside in the main gallery, so yes the staff presence became a bit noticeable. But on top floor it was buzzing at the special exhibition of photographs from 1960s taken by Lawrence Schiller - Kennedys at key moments and others, plus one room devoted mostly to a famous swimming pool shoot of Marilyn Monroe, without costume. Good info notes including one from Norman Mailer. Definitely worth the 4 leva entrance charge. Hugh A
I just visited the gallery and discovered that the collection is the result of Lyudmilla Shukova's activities, daughter to the former communist leader of the country. An art historian, and a big political figure in the 70s and 80s, she had state funds to buy the collection in a very short period, for her "Museum of World Cultures". That explains its rather eclectic character. Unique highlights are the Christian wooden sculptures from Goa, while the the Japanese prints are nowhere else on show in these amounts. The museum currently has grave problems, both in staffing and financially - hence the no doubt awkward experiences of some visitors. This collection, the institution and their visitors truly deserve a better fate!