Mission, concept and format
2014 marked the bold appearance of RADAR festival, which has now become one of the most progressive events in Bulgaria. Music and its contemporary transformation through communication with other art forms is the festival’s focus. RADAR spots points of convergence between various music genres and trends, as well as between music and other art forms like film, video art, poetry, spoken word, contemporary theater and dance, and probably the most creative sector nowadays – that of new technologies. RADAR searches for forms of creativity that go beyond traditionally constructed boundaries; it looks for purity of artistic expression and supports authentic experience.
With its wide variety of concerts, presentations, workshops, events for children and lectures, RADAR reaches new audiences, new spaces, and new friends. RADAR creates an inspiring and unexpected encounter with a new aesthetic.
PRIZES, AWARDS AND PARTICIPATION IN CIVIC INITIATIVES
The festival is recognised by the European Festivals Association and has been awarded the EFFE label (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe) three times for 2019-2020, 2017-2018 and 2015-2016.
The festival has been awarded the ProCulture 2019 Diploma of Excellence for its contribution to the development of young people’s access to culture by the Bulgarian Association of Cultural Employers.
RADAR Festival Beyond Music’s Executive Director Svetlozara Hristova was a finalist in Darik Radio’s 40 under 40, Season 5 in 2017, which aims to recognize active citizens in various fields – culture, education, entrepreneurship.
What the critics say about us
"RADAR Festival Beyond Music has already become an established festival format in our country, mainly uniting club genres. Its consistency, conceptual clarity, and audience have remained impressive throughout its nine editions since 2014. The acronym "RADAR" is a brilliant choice for a festival name and captures the essence of the event. The word is a palindrome, identical in Cyrillic and Latin. On the one hand, it suggests symmetry, closure, infinity, and an unconditional identity in all languages when read in different directions. On the other hand, it is a locator, an instrument for orientation. Thirdly, the palindrome itself reflects DNA sequences, whose subtext reveals the continuity and deeply "organic" nature of the creative product."
"For five years, the RADAR festival has done what is perhaps the most important thing for a music forum: it has created a community. This community includes the audience, who eagerly await each edition, and a series of performers who develop projects specifically for this event, thus evolving its concept year after year. Achieving this in RADAR's environment is not easy. During the height of the Varna music summer, there is strong competition between events and quite distracting temptations for listeners and viewers. However, to be honest, there is nothing else like RADAR, not only in Varna but also in the Bulgarian cultural calendar as a whole."
"This is certainly one of the most modern and avant-garde festivals in Europe"
The new edition of the RADAR festival demonstrated the growing and consistent interest of the Varna audience in modern artistic forms that combine music and vision. The event aims to stimulate the audience's senses and demonstrate that the use of modern communication technologies in art is a necessity, not just a trend. It is attracting a growing audience and establishing its place in our city's cultural calendar. This year, RADAR presented its best program yet and set a goal to be the strongest festival of its kind in all of Bulgaria, not just by the sea..."
"On my second consecutive 'observation,' I accept this festival as a 'living' organism due to the extremely clear articulation of what I will call the 'clash' between creative trends and music-making practices, as well as the dynamic development of the festival's thinking."
"...The English title suggests a variety of personal interpretations, from 'beyond music' to 'on the other side of music.' Even at first reading, the idea of the festival evokes a new way of thinking and making music, one that transcends the commercial surrogate flooding us from all sides. It leads us to new states and a new understanding of the creation and organization of sound, as well as new musical practices in the best sense of the word..."
"Radar Festival creates a space for invigorating and unexpected encounters with new aesthetics that are highly valued worldwide and form the basis of the modern music industry. Such events are important and necessary for developing the electronic music scene and culture in our country. They give audiences the opportunity to experience the diversity of the genre sonically, visually, and aesthetically. They also present the interaction between music and technology. These events also provide inspiration and a creative boost to young and experienced artists alike."
"Creating a festival like RADAR in Varna in 2014 was, to put it mildly, a challenge. But, as it turned out after its conclusion, these challenges can be met and transformed into successful achievements. RADAR is not a commercial festival. It is not aimed at a mass audience. It does not seek media primetime slots, nor does it want to be present in the noisy entertainment spaces of the confused city. Nevertheless, this festival must exist. In fact, that is precisely why it must exist."
снимка: Красимир Кръстев (ЕД)
presentation
Bulgarian Voices for Europe
In April 2022, a discussion on "The Future of Culture in the Common European Space" was held, organised by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency. This was the fourteenth event organised by the BTA within the framework of the initiative "Bulgarian Voices for Europe", implemented with the support of the European Parliament. Among the topics of the discussion were European and national policies in the field of culture: theatre, cinema, music, literature; the future of festivals; ways to finance projects and the implementation of public-private partnerships.
lecture
She in Bulgaria
The National Volunteer Network "SHE in Bulgaria" at the Ekaterina Karavelova Foundation unites 32 volunteers in 11 local teams in Plovdiv, Varna, Gabrovo, Vidin, Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Sandanski, Stara Zagora, Montana and Vratsa. SHE in...™ is a monthly event that gives girls and women with different stories and from different professional backgrounds the opportunity to share their experiences, the obstacles they have faced and the successes they have achieved. The goal of the event is to be a welcoming place where other girls and women find inspiration and a supportive environment in following their aspirations. The Executive Director of RADAR Festival presented her career path in the format in March 2022.
presentation
TEDXTALYANA
In June 2019, Innovator Platform will organise the Varna edition of the global series of conferences designed to promote "ideas worth spreading".
lecture
Leadership, innovation and new organisational models
Lecture and discussion with students from the Department of International Economic Relations at the University of Economics - Varna in May 2017 on leadership in project management, the importance of innovation and "practicing" new organizational models.
moderator
Forum for innovation and culture of sharing
The Executive Director of RADAR Festival was a moderator of the panel "Communities" as well as a leader of a one-day workshop within the "Forum for Innovation and Culture of Sharing" in Veliko Tarnovo, 2016.
Partners
