Bulgarian Capital Launches 'Sofia Breathes' Fest

Ivan Shishman Street in downtown Sofia turned pedestrian on August 5. Photo by komitata.blogspot.com

Beginning Sunday, August 5th, as well as the following Sundays until the end of the month different streets in downtown Sofia, will be closed for vehicles under the project called "Sofia Breathes."

Ivan Shishman Street is turned pedestrian this Sunday from 8 am until 10 pm. In the next Sundays the fest will be moved with closures "Angel Kanchev" and "Pirotska" streets.

The August 5th program includes the showing of several documentaries, among them "Which Is This City" of Maria Averina, dedicated to the Bulgarian capital, and several theater performances. The City Hall informs that several nearby streets such as "Hadzi Dimitar," "Ivan Vazov," "Yuriy Venelin," and "Gen. Parensov" between the "Vasil Levski" boulevard and "Ivan Shishman" street will be closed for traffic as well.

On August 12, the fest moves to "Angel Kanchev" street which will be closed from 8 am and 10 pm along with "Dr. Georgi Valkovich" street and the "Rayko Daskalov" square. The highlight of the program is the reading of works of Bulgarian authors.

On the third Sunday, "Pirotska" street will be closed from 8 am until 10 pm along with parts of "George Washington," "Knyaz Boris," and "Tsar Samuil" streets. The focus is on visual arts.

The fest will conclude on August 26 on the central "Independence" square, but the closure has not been officially announced yet by the City Hall.

The project was launched for the first time in August 2010 and has enjoyed huge success ever since. The closures are in a bid to reduce air pollution from traffic and favor commuting by foot.

This year, the Levski Sports Club is for the first time the official partner of the City Hall and will provide equipment for the practice of 10 types of sports.

Professional athletes will demonstrate their skills while Sofia residents and visitors will have the opportunity to measure up to them in a number of competitions. The program also includes lectures, theater performances and art exhibits.

Ivan Shishman Street, connecting the Narodno Sabranie Square in front of the Bulgarian Parliament with Graf Ignatiev Street, a shopping venue for Sofia dwellers, is a favorite place among walkers in the city with its many shops and bars.

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