Bulgarian Capital Launches 4th 'Sofia Breathes' Fest

Ivan Shishman Street in downtown Sofia is turning pedestrianonce again on August 4, file photo

Beginning Sunday, August 4th, 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.

This Sunday, the fest starts with an environment topic to show how arts and culture can go along with eco-oriented lifestyle. The initiative also includes the anti-smoking campaign of the European Commission "Former Smokers Are Unstoppable," aiming at motivating young people to give up smoking or never light up a cigarette.

The Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, will present its project "Europe for Me," in support of Sofia's candidature for European Culture Capital in 2019.

On August 11, 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.

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 fest will end on August 25 on the pedestrian zone of Sofia's main "Vitosha" boulevard.

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.

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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