Free youth festival in Sofia raises awareness of social issues

Some of the main events of the festival will be workshops and presentations organised by animal rights groups, anti-domestic violence organisations and more

Today, Sofia announced a new free summer festival directed at the city’s youth. The festival is called ‘My Sofia. Youth with Causes’ and will be held between 12 and 14 August near the Pancharevo dam. The festival zone is the newly established public space Agora – a five-acre forest and grass area on the banks of the dam.

A festival with a cause

During the European Year of Youth, local authorities in Sofia offer citizens a unique experience with dancing, music, sports and social causes. The festival will use the occasion to highlight the work of various NGOs and municipal organisations dealing with social issues.

These include Animus – an organisation aiding victims of domestic violence, MS- Moga sam (I can do it on my own) – an organisation dedicated to helping people with Multiple Sclerosis, among others.

Animus will offer free mental health consultations and advice on where to seek help in cases of domestic abuse. MS, on the other hand, will hold a crane-making workshop in solidarity with people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

Other organisations include the Four Paws foundation, which will present their guide on ‘How to take care of our first puppy’ and the centre for drug prevention, which will organise a mask painting workshop.

Sports or dancing? Why not both?

The festival will also provide goers with hammocks and a cool place to relax in the summer heat, while also giving people the opportunity to try out a new sport or take dancing lessons. The festival will offer free yoga, Pilates and Zumba lessons, as well as nights dedicated to swing dancing – supported by local dancing groups.

For the more active, during the day, the My Sofia festival will provide visitors with canoeing, and kayaking lessons as well as a tree climbing workshop.