Authentic performances, exhibitions, light installations, dances, music and art workshops will transport Plovdiv residents and guests into the world of the Shadow Theatre. In 2023, the ancient performing art, under the protection of UNESCO, will prove that it is more alive than ever with the project of the Association "ArteVision" under the title. It is realized with the financial support of Plovdiv Municipality and is part of the Cultural Calendar for 2023.

Artists from "ΘΕΑΤΡΟ ΣΚΙΩΝ" - Greece, from the National Theater Center "UNIMA" - Turkey, authors from the Union of Bulgarian Artists and "ADC Bulgaria", students, lecturers from the Paisii Hilendarski University and students give a creative meeting in the city under the hills.

Theatre, lights and shadows, the images "Karagöz" and "Karagözis" are their common INSPIRATION. This is also the name of the Photo Exhibition, which will be exhibited from 15 to 30 May in Trakia next to the Chernorizets Hrabar Secondary School. Through it, world-famous puppet actors send their messages about the meaning of creativity, the power of art and inspiration that make the world a better place to live.

Theatre art will awaken the imagination of the youngest pupils from the Komatevo and Proslav neighbourhoods. On 9 and 11 May, they will be visited by art workshops for puppets "Karagöz" and "Karagözis" - the main characters in the Shadow Theatre.

On May 10, the Scientific Theatre Lab will bring together students and teachers of New Greek, tempted by the ancient Theatre of Shadows, in the Greek Reading Room of Paisii Hilendarski University.

A film screening will present theatrical puppets around the world. Greek language teacher Velichka Somonova-Grozdeva will give a research-based reading of the Greek Theatre of Shadows and the factors that make it alive and attractive to audiences today.

The lab will continue with a discussion on Balkan Theater of Shadows and informal talks between the organizers and the participants about the Greek-Bulgarian partnership in the field of education, culture and art.

On May 16, the Plovdiv audience is invited to share the magical worlds of visual artist, academic and painter Kapka Kaneva. Prompted by the Shadow Theatre and the performances of actors from Greece and Turkey, she will present her three-dimensional light installations at the House of Science and Technology in Plovdiv. Visitors will walk among stylized theatrical images and openwork mythological characters. They will all "come to life" in a play of lights and shadows.

For a true synergy between the arts, there will also be a two-metre tall theatre puppet, the Living Installation, among the original sculptures to welcome the audience. Dance and musical etudes by talented Plovdiv children performers will add to the good mood.

The culmination of the Theater Holidays will be the performances of the masters of the Shadow Theater Sechkin Gunesh from Turkey and Odysseas Kanlis from Greece. They will play on 17 and 18 May at 15.00 and 16.00 in Komatevo and Proslav.

Entrance to all events is free!