The international performance art festival Sofia Underground is a contemporary art event with an interesting profile. During the years with its original form, founded by the art critic Ruen Ruenov (1958 - 2011) in 1997, it first started as a widespread happening with a long-running performance program – a reaction to the social crisis of that time. Ever since, his event has developed into a prominent platform with acute sensitivity towards the public reactions and processes as well as the dynamics of the local art scene.

After the festival revival in 2007 with the title Remember Sofia Underground, the following editions were realized:

2015 MACHINES (Ghost in the Shell);

2014 Unusual Evidences;

2013 Occupy Yourself - Gesamtkunstwerk;

2012 Justified Actions (in memory of Ruen Ruenov);

2009 Crisis Edition;

2008 Alone / Individual rituals, gestures and images in the mass communication era.

Sofia Underground 2015 Poster
Photo: Courtesy Sofia Underground