Plovdiv GuitArt Festival & Competition

Plovdiv GuitArt Festival & Competition takes place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It is held every year, usually in October.

Repertoire requirements

Video First Round: The repertoire should be performed by heart! Video recording should be between 8–10 minutes long, in MP4 format, with a minimum resolution of 1280×720 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The camera should be positioned horizontally, and the video should have good lighting. Hands and face should be clearly visible throughout the recording. The whole competition program must be performed as in a normal competition (all pieces are shot in one video file, in one frame, without any additional video or audio editing). Live Second Round: The repertoire should be 17–20 minutes long and performed with wholehearted enthusiasm!

• Competition Round · 15-20 min
  • Free choice program

Official website

https://guitart.bg/

Visiting? A guitarist's guide to Plovdiv

Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city and one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited settlements, offers a rich historical backdrop for the annual GuitArt Festival & Competition. Having served as a European Capital of Culture in 2019, the city, often called 'the city under the tepes' for its distinctive hills, blends ancient Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage with a vibrant contemporary cultural scene. Attending the festival here means immersing yourself in a city where history and art converge, offering much to explore between musical performances.

Getting there

Plovdiv is accessible by air, rail, and road. The city's own Plovdiv International Airport (PDV) handles a few low-cost flights, with buses connecting to the central bus station 'Yug' after each arrival; a taxi from the city centre to the airport costs about 15 лв, roughly €7.50. The main railway station, a 10-15 minute walk south of the city centre, offers around 15 daily trains to and from Sofia, taking two to four hours depending on the service. For a quicker journey, buses depart hourly from Sofia to Plovdiv's Yug station, taking less time than the train and costing approximately 14 лв. International bus services also connect Plovdiv with cities such as Istanbul and Thessaloniki, departing from Yug station. The A1 motorway links Plovdiv westward to Sofia and eastward to Burgas on the Black Sea, making car travel straightforward for those arriving from within Bulgaria.

Compare trains, buses & flights to Plovdiv on Omio →

Bulgaria runs on Type F sockets, standard across most of Europe, so you will only need a travel adapter if you are coming from the UK, Ireland, or beyond Europe.

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Where to stay

As a city with a long history and a significant tourist presence, Plovdiv offers various accommodation options. Staying in the city centre or the Стария град, the old town, places you within easy walking distance of the festival venues, historical sites, and dining. The Стария град, in particular, with its charming main street, Saborna Street, and proximity to landmarks like the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of Saint Konstantin and Elena, provides a picturesque setting. Plovdiv is known for its walkable pedestrian zones, making it easy to explore on foot once you are settled.

What you'll hear

The Plovdiv GuitArt Festival & Competition is an annual event that brings together classical guitarists for a week of performances and competition. While the specific repertoire for the competition rounds should be checked on the official website, the festival’s consistent presence indicates a commitment to showcasing emerging talent and celebrating the classical guitar. The first prize includes both cash and concert engagements, offering significant opportunities for the winning artists. The festival provides a valuable platform for guitar enthusiasts to hear a range of solo performances and immerse themselves in the instrument’s contemporary scene.

Plovdiv's deep history, stretching back to 6000 BC as one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities, provides a profound cultural context for any artistic endeavour. While the city does not have a specific classical guitar composer tied to its heritage, its past as a Thracian settlement, a Roman provincial capital (Trimontium, Philippoupolis), an Ottoman commercial hub, and later a key Bulgarian city, has fostered a rich and diverse cultural landscape. This layered history, visible in its Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques, and National Revival architecture, imbues the entire city with an atmosphere of artistic and historical resonance, making it an inspiring setting for a music festival.

The local table

Plovdiv's culinary scene reflects its position in the fertile Upper Thracian Plain and its rich history, blending traditional Bulgarian flavours with influences from its past. While no specific local dish is definitively grounded in the immediate sources, visitors can expect a range of hearty Bulgarian cuisine, often featuring fresh produce from the surrounding region. Restaurants throughout the city centre and the Стария град offer opportunities to sample local specialities and enjoy meals in historic surroundings. Look for establishments that highlight seasonal ingredients and regional recipes, providing a genuine taste of Bulgarian hospitality.

Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Plovdiv →

While you're there

Plovdiv is a city rich in sights, perfect for exploring between festival events. Its history is vividly present, particularly in the impressive Roman Theatre, still used for performances today, and the Roman Stadium beneath the city's main pedestrian street. Other significant Roman ruins include an odeon, an aqueduct, and the Eirene archaeological complex. Wander through the Стария град, where colourful National Revival-era houses line cobbled streets, leading to the Ethnographic Museum and the ancient Church of Saint Konstantin and Elena.

The city is famously built around several hills, or tepeta; a climb up one, such as Nebet Tepe, offers panoramic views over the city and the Maritsa River. Beyond the historical centre, Plovdiv hosts various cultural events, including the Night/Plovdiv festival and Kapana Fest. For day trips, the visible Rhodope Mountains to the south offer natural beauty, and the "Valley of Roses" lies to the north, known for its rose oil production. Sofia, the capital, is also easily reachable by bus or train for a broader exploration of Bulgaria.

Tours, tickets and day trips in Plovdiv →

More guitar events in Bulgaria: Pleven Guitar Festival

Also in October: Asia International Guitar Festival & Competition · Concurso Liliana Pérez Corey · GuitarFestival Changsha China · Hanse Guitar Cup · Seville Guitar Festival · Silesian Guitar Autumn

Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.

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