ART AND RIGHTS FESTIVAL CIVIC ALARM CLOCK 2023 – it’s time for awakening art

Time for civic dreams! We invite you on July 1 (Saturday) 2023, in the Toplocentrala (Sofia) and the park space around it, to put the rights on the stage during the third edition of the Festival for Art and Rights CIVIC ALARM CLOCK 2023.

This year we will create a real festival marathon! Throughout the day, together with friends, we will have fun, learn about rights, express what we care about.. There will be something for everyone, big and small.  

South Park II will become the stage for our claim to civic engagement, which we will share through art.

In 2023, we received 85 entries in the  Civic Alarm Clock contest from authors who shared over 180 visual and verbal art stories about the power of helping each other. The time has come to find out who the professional judges have chosen as the winners! But… before that, we will warm up for the big ceremony with educational games, art workshops, and musical challenges. All with free admission.  

 

Come on July 1, 2023 from morning until evening in the Toplocentrala (Sofia) and surrounding area! We can be located at "Petko Karavelov" street and "South Railway" street "Emil Bersinski".

 

The plans have already been made. So – save the date now! Here is what awaits you:

For the earlier birds, the little ones and their families, and those who want to dive into the festival fun from the morning, we will be waiting for you in the park space next to the Warming Station from 10:00am to 2:00pm:

10:00 – 14:00 | Educational games for young and old | South Park II

Educational game "Civic Alarm Clock" – searching for answers to exciting riddles hidden around the festival, inquisitive children will learn more about their rights – what the right to association means; why it is important to be able to unite and work together; how we can peacefully show that we disagree with something and how far the freedom to openly say what we think extends. Each game will close with a short discussion with the BCNL team.  

"Climate Fresco" – Ecological Association "For the Earth" will play an interactive card game about the cause-and-effect relationships between anthropogenic activity and different aspects of climate change. 

Climate game "Snakes and Ladders" –  a new take on the classic Snakes and Ladders game. This time, whether you move forward or backward on the field depends on the actions you do or don't take to protect the environment. Do you turn off the lights when you leave the room? Get 5 steps ahead. Leave the water running while you brush your teeth? Two steps back. Even the youngest participants in the game will learn to understand which actions protect our common home – planet Earth – and make us all winners.  

 

 

10:30 – 11:30 | First Aid lesson – with a team of volunteers | South Park II

A team of experienced volunteers will conduct a special training course on first aid for disaster victims.

 

11:00 – 12:30 | Art workshop for painting lucky stones – with the association "Society 528" | South Park II

The creative natures of the 528 Society will lead you in the creative process of drawing bizarre shapes on lucky pebbles. In the end, each pebble connect making in a mysterious thread telling a story that relies entirely on your imagination. The workshop is suitable for creatives, young and old, using no plastic and no waste. Together, let's turn these pebbles into a pocket charm, a holder for a beautiful card, or an affectionate letter!

12:00 – 13:30 | Art workshop for painting with coffee – with "Made with Love" Foundation | South Park II

The Made with Love Foundation will expose us to the creative talent of the extraordinary people they support. Art is a great way to relax the mind, body and soul. Coffee is no ordinary beverage, but a collection of emotions. Each participant creates their own personal masterpiece, easily and fun with the help of the café graphic designer Stefka Nikolova.

 

After a short break for an afternoon siesta, we continue with a second afternoon round of events – from 16:00 to 22:00 at the Terrace Bar of the Toplocentrala!

16:00 – 19:00 | Art activities – with the authors of Civic Alarm Clock | Terrace-Stage, Toplocentrala

On the open stage of the Toplocentrala you will meet authors from 6 previous editions of the Civic Alarm Clock competition. They will lead artistic workshops on photography, drawing and writing. Each medium will provide insight on whether we are free to say what we want, how we protest when we are dissatisfied, and whether or not we can unite with others who think like us.  

16:00 – 17:00 | Capoeira training – with Siara School | Terrace-Stage, Toplocentrala

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that was formed in the early 16th century in Brazil  . A combination of music, dance, acrobatics, fighting, culture and lifestyle, capoeira became a symbol of freedom. Over centuries, capoeira has undergone many changes and has taken on different guises; from a deadly martial art banned by law to an attractive sport and art recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The instructors, Iglika Radilova and Nestor Dinolov from Siara School, will immerse us in the incredible atmosphere of this martial art. The training is suitable for children and adults.

 

17:00 – 18:00 | Drum circle – The power of the common pulse – with DizzyGrooves & BunnyVerse | Terrace-Stage, Toplocentrala

Rhythm allows us to get to know ourselves and others better, to communicate simultaneously in a common drumming language, and to create a "pulse" together that leads us forward, no matter what we do or where we come from. In the workshop we will create and build common rhythmic figures through which to develop a sense of community. Drumming will energize us and allow us to feel connected to others and gain a sense of interpersonal connection. Through the power of the muse, we will understand what individual freedom, collective and individual rights, the power of association and full rights mean. The rhythm workshop is suitable for amateurs and people who are just beginning to take up a musical instrument.  

17:30 – 18:30 | Colour Bomb Workshop – with the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation | Terrace-Stage, Toplocentrala

"Flower bombs" are an old way of doing farming dating back to ancient Egypt, when people use to put seeds in clay to prevent them from being eaten by insects. Even the lightest rain then helps the "bomb" to "explode" and sprout beautiful and fragrant plants.  Together, with the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation, we will work with natural materials (soil, clay, water and flower seeds) in a safe and very pleasant environment. We will mix the necessary ingredients, form small balls that we will leave to dry for a while, and then, everyone will be able to "bomb" a site for the purpose of growth and sustainability!

18:00 – 19:00 | Concert of the band Funkilicious | Terrace-Stage, Toplocentrala

"Funkilicious" is a newly created band of 7 people whose mission is to create original music with pop and funk fusion. They also promote funk music on Bulgarian stages, such as the stage of the Civic Vigil. The seven "Funkilicious" hearts are vocals, guitar, piano, bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet.  

19:00 – 20:00 | Award Ceremony for the authors of the competition "Civic Alarm Clock" vol.6 | Terrace Stage, Toplocentrala

At 19:00 we will kick off the long-awaited awards ceremony. Artists with the most impactful works related to the theme "Connected in Goodness: the Power to Help Each Other" will be awarded prizes! It will be exciting, and there will be no shortage of surprises.  

 

20:00 – 21:00 | Concert of the band Taralestha| Terrace-Stage, Toplocentrala

The beloved musical "Lens Quartet" will take the stage to greet the winners, participants, and all others who boldly advocate for THEIR RIGHTS. Well known to Bulgarian listeners, "Taralesta" have released three albums in which they combine a bit of blues, a drop of reggae, ska and afrobeats with with Bulgarian rhythms, and will be performing their unique style and lyrics.

If you too are civicly engaged – come and be part of the message of the civic engagers! 

Get ready for an incredible journey through the world of civil rights and inspiring art! The Civic Alarm Clock Festival will bring you together to celebrate and share important values!

Be sure to bookmark the Facebook event as well.

 

We are proud to share that this year, for the first time, we are co-creating the Civic Alarm Clock Festival with the support of our wise donors who have joined our charity campaign. Thank you for becoming an important part of our community of like-minded people who believe that through socially engaged art we can speak out and defend our rights!

 

The event is made possible with the financial support of America for Bulgaria Foundation. The festival is supported by the Summer Program of Sofia Municipality and is part of the Sofia Municipality's Calendar of Cultural Events for 2023. Our partners are "Future" Pension Insurance Company. Media partner of the initiative is the Bulgarian National Radio.