180° COMMUNITY LAB
180° Community Lab° is an annual cultural-educational program of 180°, comprising a series of projects and workshops aimed at school pupils, students, professionals, and general audiences. The program seeks to provide growth opportunities for young artists, build artistic networks, reflect on and engage social-cultural institutions, and bring society closer to art and its social functions. In 2023, Community Lab° was nominated in two categories for the prestigious European award of the international organization Art Explora. 
In 2025, Community Lab° offers a series of workshops and labs, as well as a public discussion with international artists and cultural professionals. CriticLab° develops skills in critical writing and analysis among students and young professionals. CoLab° brings together emerging artists from different countries in an international collaborative process. Improvisation Lab° focuses on improvised sound and spontaneous creation. The international discussion, “In Search of Paradiso: How Partnerships Shape the Future of Independent Culture?”, explores innovative and sustainable models of collaboration.
180° COMMUNITY LAB PROGRAM
CriticLab°
CriticLab° serves as a platform for dialogue and critical writing around Sofia’s independent art scene. It offers students and emerging professionals free access to cultural events, mentorship from established experts, and opportunities to publish their work. Through workshops, discussions, and direct engagement with artists, participants strengthen their skills in critical thinking and writing while building connections within both the local and international art community.
Program Details:
•Duration: October – December 2025
•Mentors: Vasil Balev, Ksenia Ravvina, Marcus P. Tesch, Stefan Prohorov and more
•Participants: Niya Georgieva, Boryana Savova, Iuliia Holovchenko, Madlen Deleva, Andreya Gandeva and Yves-Christian Angelov
The program is made possible with the support of Culture Program by the Sofia Municipality.
CoLab°
CoLab° is a week-long interdisciplinary residency for early-career artists from diverse backgrounds, encouraging collaboration across disciplines.
Six artists from Switzerland, Italy and Bulgaria will exchange ideas, experiment in small groups and co-create new work. The results will be shared publicly during the festival.
The lab is not focused on perfect outcomes, but on process, risk-taking, dialogue, and artistic exploration. Participants will be mentored by Ksenia Ravvina, a Berlin-based theatre director, author and curator with extensive international experience and an interdisciplinary approach that weaves together political and poetic dimensions. Throughout the week, they will also engage with other artists, curators and festival guests.
Program Details:
• Duration: 11 – 16. October 2025
• Presentation of the Results: 16th October 2025 | Thursday
• Time: 19:30
• Location: Equipaж Studio
• Mentor: Ksenia Ravvina
• Participants: Simona Angelova (Bulgaria), Rossella Delvecchio (Italy), Iren Dimitrova (Bulgaria), Veronica Messinese (Italy), Dakota Wayne (Switzerland), Yehu Sha’ashua-Dar (Switzerland)
Improvisation Lab°
Improvisation Lab° is a workshop led by musician and curator Alexandar Hadjiev. Moving beyond traditional improvisation techniques, it uses playful exercises and collaborative games to open new paths for creativity, spontaneity, and communication. Participants will experiment with sound, create spontaneous compositions, and experience how improvisation can foster adaptability, self-expression, and critical thinking. The workshop offers an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone, regardless of background or experience, can explore their artistic potential, expand their imagination, and discover the transformative power of improvisation in both art and everyday life. As a final highlight, the group will perform during the festival’s closing event within the Videomotion format – a competition for short silent films – by creating live improvised soundtracks for the screenings.
Program Details:
• Date: 17 October 2025
• Time: 18:00 – 20:00 h
• Location: Toplocentrala
• Participation: Free of charge.
• Mentor: Alexandar Hadjiev
• Want to join? Write us at artistic@180-degrees.org
Discussion°
International discussion In Search of Paradiso: How Partnerships Shape the Future of Independent Culture? – Independent culture often hesitates to collaborate, whether out of fear of losing resources or because partnerships are seen only as funding tools. At the same time, shrinking budgets, political pressures, and limited visibility make working together increasingly necessary — from sharing infrastructures and audiences, to standing united in networks of solidarity. This discussion asks how far partnerships can go: are they just pragmatic solutions, or can they truly shape the future of the independent scene?
Program Details:
•Date: 17.10.2025
•Time: 11:00
•Location: Travellers Club Sofia
•Admission free: Due to limited capacity, please register here.
English 
Bulgarian