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Pre meeting trip sofia

Join the pre-meeting trip to Veliko Tarnovo and Gabrovo and discover a rich history spanning more than five millenia: 

Practical details

 

Date: 10-11 June 2024

Meeting point: Toplocentrala
 

Addressul. "Emil Berzinski" 5, 1408 Yuzhen, SofiaVenue Accessibility 

 

 

Concept

 

The city of Veliko Tarnovo is a place rich in history, spanning more than five millennia. It used to serve as a capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire in the Middle Ages. Today, Veliko Tarnovo is one of the most vibrant places in Bulgaria’s current contemporary art scene. During the pre-meeting stay, we’ll share its ancient and modern culture by focusing on the processes of creating and managing cultural spaces in Veliko Tarnovo, co-creating and sharing skills and cultural content and regarding the decentralised culture centres such as TaM and CJC, the community centre in the village of Runya.  
 

Gabrovo is known for its humour and satire, its Carnival, being the birth-place of world-renowned artist Christo (from the artist couple Christo and Jeann-Claude) and its legacy in the textile and leather industries.

During the stay in Gabrovo, IETM participants will visit the currently-under-development Christo and Jeanne-Claude Art Center, which focuses on contemporary arts and textiles, the Carnival Figures Workshop and the remnants of the former Variety Show Theatre, based in the underground of the Museum of Humor and Satire. The theatre was a leading venue which brought together signature directors, choreographers and dancers, and under the disguise of entertainment and satire put together remarkable programming from 1985 to 1999. After this, the group will proceed to another ‘underbelly’ venue – the underground spaces of the Gabrovo Theatre. The group will finish sightseeing at the 600-seat hall of the House of Culture, boasting impressive acoustic properties and currently renovated and equipped with state-of-the-art sound AV systems. 

The impressions of the day will be digested at dinner at a select venue, offering regional food.

 

Programme

 

Monday 10 June

 

13:00 - 13:30

Meeting at TOPLOCENTRALA

13:30 - 17:00

Group travel to Veliko Tarnovo by bus  with a presentation of Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo on the way

17:00 - 18:30

Hotel check-in and rest

19:00 - 21:00

Dinner at TaM - covered  by the organisers

21:00 - 21:45 

Sound and light show at Tsarevets fortress

22:30 - 00:00

Concert at TaM – Elvis Presley – The King of Varusha South

Tuesday 11 June

 

9:00 - 10:00

Breakfast at ТаМ - covered by the organiser

10:00-11:00

Workshop in processes of creating and managing cultural spaces in Veliko Tarnovo. Co-creating and sharing skills and cultural content.

11:00 - 12:30

Walking Tour - Sightseeing cultural spaces in Varusha South. 

12:30 - 13:00

Travel to Runia village (located on the way between Veliko Tarnovo and Gabrovo) by bus

13:00 - 15:00

Lunch in the local village Art Hall covered by the local organiser. Sharing stories about the community centre's activities and how the local international community restored the building and reactivated its activities by doing so.

15:00 - 16:00 

Journey to Gabrovo with a short presentation on the way about community centres in smaller villages

16:00 - 19:00

Visit the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Art Center, Gabrovo Variete Theatre

19:00 - 22:00

Journey back to Sofia by bus and dinner at the participant’s expense.

 

Important practicalities

 

Please make sure to check the practical information to find out more about how the journey to Varna is organised as well as accommodation, venues and accessibility.
 

Please make sure to pack for an overnight stay and bring a small bag for day trips and walks around the city, as well as to carry your water bottle and reusable coffee mug, if you have one. Don't forget to bring comfortable shoes, because Veliko Tarnovo is on the hillside of the country with very old paved roads and stairs. You are going to spend most of your time walking short distances with denivelation and beautiful views. 
 

Price: €70,00 which includes accommodation in an individual single room or €50,00 which includes accommodation in a shared double room. Both of these prices also include a return trip from Sofia by bus and three meals.
 

This activity is subject to a minimum number of registrations. If there are not enough participants and the pre-meeting ends up being cancelled, you will receive a full refund for your registration fee.

 

 

Registration

 

Deadline to register: 20 May 2024
Max capacity: 30 people 

 

Register here

 

Deadline for refund: 24 May 2024. It is possible to cancel your registration at any moment. However, if you wish to have your registration fee reimbursed, please inform us by sending us an email at ietm@ietm.org before 24 May.