Varna Summer International Jazz FestivalМеждународен джаз фестивал "Варненско лято"

An annual international jazz festival held in Varna around July, founded by Anatoly Vapirov in 1992. The festival features concerts by Bulgarian and global jazz artists in indoor and open-air venues. Local jazz ensembles and young musicians often perform alongside headliners. Over 30 editions have marked Varna as a niche jazz hub in Bulgaria 1 2. Events include evening concerts in the Archaeological Museum courtyard and possibly the open-air Summer Theatre. This festival celebrates modern music blending jazz with folk influences, reflecting Varna’s vibrant music scene.

The festival is rooted in Varna’s progressive jazz community. Founder Anatoly Vapirov envisioned jazz as culturally intertwined with folklore, supporting both traditional and avant-garde styles 1 2. Local musicians see Varna Jazz Fest as a continuation of a decades-long jazz tradition in the city. It adds a contemporary cultural dimension to the region’s rich folk and classical festivals, offering dialogue between modern jazz and regional musical motifs.