We are excited to announce an open call for up to five artists to participate in a unique and transformative residency in Levochevo, a peaceful village nestled in Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains—the legendary homeland of Orpheus and the ancient Thracian civilization, rich with myths, legends, and mysteries.
As part of the Water Tower Art Fest / Residency, this program invites artists to immerse themselves in the local community—engaging with musicians, singers, and storytellers encountered during the stay—while exploring the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Through collaboration and dialogue, participants will create interactive artworks inspired by the area’s traditions, history, and mythology.
The residency will culminate in a documentary film, produced by Association IME, blending fictional narrative and immersive art. Artists will have the opportunity to contribute to this collective storytelling experience, weaving together their creative vision with the voices and traditions of the local people.
About the Water Tower Art Fest / Residency
The Water Tower Art Fest has long been committed to the idea of art as an agent of change, connection, and community. Each year, our initiatives bring together artists from around the world to explore and engage with unique environments, collaborating with local communities to create artworks that are deeply embedded in the local culture. The Nomadic Residency is a continuation of our mission to bring artists closer to the people, history, and stories that make a place unique. The interaction is dediacted to socially engaged artistic expression, where art gas function in the society.
Past editions of the festival and residency have resulted in impactful, immersive works that intertwine contemporary art practices with the ancient traditions and customs of the locations. Our previous initiatives have inspired a renewed dialogue around cultural preservation and environmental and social engagement at places where prevails sense of abandonmenet. Now, we invite you to be part of a new chapter in Levochevo, Smolyan region, where art is not just created, but also experienced in the context of a living, evolving cultural landscape.
https://watertowerartfest.com/en/resuslts-from-residency-at-gradets-2024/
https://watertowerartfest.com/en/results-water-tower-art-residency-lom-2024/
In Levochevo, the residency will bring artists into direct interaction with the community and local traditions. The aim is to create works that preserve and elevate the heritage of the Rhodope region while also reflecting contemporary concerns such as the impact of modernity on cultural practices and ecological sustainability.
About Levochevo and the Rhodope Mountains
Levochevo is a small village surrounded by the magnificent landscapes of the Rhodope Mountains, a region steeped in mythology, history, and natural beauty. The area is home to ancient traditions, rituals, and stories that have been passed down through generations, many of which are now at risk of disappearing in the face of modernization.
The Rhodope Mountains are rich in biodiversity and ecological significance, with deep forests, rivers, and cultural sites that have long been central to the local people’s way of life. The village of Levochevo holds an important place in this heritage, making it an ideal setting for an artist residency focused on cultural exchange, environmental dialogue, and the preservation of disappearing traditions. Like most little villages in the area, it has inevitably been marked by a sense of abandonment, with young people leaving for bigger cities. This makes our intervention even more valuable in transcending the values of the past, demystifying myths, and making them relevant to our contemporary world through the arts.
Residency Focus and Opportunities
The residency provides a unique opportunity to engage with the region’s rich folklore, mythology, and local customs. Artists will work alongside the community to explore the myths and stories of Levochevo, translating them into interactive art forms that bridge the gap between past and present.
Collaborate with Local Ecological Art Centers and Guardians of Tradition:
Partner with local ecological centers, such as Gudevica, dedicated to preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage. These centers play a crucial role in maintaining the ancient knowledge and environmental wisdom of the Rodopi Mountains. Artists will work with these custodians of tradition to better understand and represent the natural environment, ecological sustainability, and the intertwined relationship between the local people and the land.
Participate in Enyovden, the Ancient Midsummer Ritual:
One of the highlights of the residency will be the opportunity to participate in the Enyovden (21st June), an ancient tradition celebrating the summer solstice. This ritual, rich in mysticism, is believed to protect the health and well-being of the community. The residency invites artists to experience this powerful event and, through their work, find contemporary ways to interpret and transcend these ancient traditions, fostering new connections between old and new, tradition and innovation.
Create Interactive Artworks:
The residency culminates in the creation of artworks that invite participation from the local community, exploring themes such as cultural preservation, ecological balance, and the fusion of tradition with contemporary artistic practices. These may include installations, performances, soundscapes, visual art, or mixed-media works.
Collaborative Research and Cultural Exchange:
Artists will collaborate with each other and the community to research and document disappearing traditions such as ancient songs, oral stories, rituals, and crafts. These collaborations will be woven into the artworks, providing new perspectives on local history and customs.
Outcomes of the Residency
Interactive Artworks: Final artworks will be shared with the local community, engaging them in the creative process and celebrating the region’s myths, stories, and traditions.
Documentary Film & Fictional Narrative: A documentary film will capture the artists’ journey, including their collaboration with the local community, the process of creating the works, and the cultural insights gained during the residency. A fictional narrative will also emerge, reflecting the contemporary resonance of ancient traditions.
Public Presentations: The final works will be showcased through exhibitions and performances, allowing the wider public to experience the intersection of local traditions and contemporary art.
Duration of residency
Application Deadline: [10.04.2025]Residency Dates: [11-22.06.2025]Location: Levochevo, Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria
Accommodation
What We Offer: – Accommodation in Levochevo, where you will live and work during the residency period. https://www.thepineliving.com/ (breakfast included) – Transport to and from Sofia. – Transport to visit and explore the area while in residence. – Creative space to develop your work, including access to local materials and resources. – Collaboration opportunities with local ecological centers, cultural guardians, and the community. – Technical support for artworks *preliminary discussed. – Documentation and promotion of your work through the final documentary film and other media. – Invitation letter to secure individual fundings for artists outside Bulgaria.
Disciplines, work equipment and assistance
All disciplines
Studio / Workspace
Accommodation in Levochevo, where you will live and work during the residency period. https://www.thepineliving.com/ (breakfast included)
Fees and support
We do not charge a participation or accommodation fee; however, artists are responsible for covering their own travel expenses to and from Bulgaria, as well as their food, art materials, and personal expenses during the residency. Additionally, a €30 administrative fee is required upon application, payable directly to our bank account.
IBAN BG56FINV915010BGN094XSSWIFT CODE FINVBGSF
Expectations towards the artist
Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel based on artistic quality, relevance to the residency’s themes, and the ability to engage with the local community. Successful applicants will be notified by 15.04.2025 to the latest! Join Us in Levochevo! Be part of a unique, creative journey that will deepen your connection to the land, its people, and their traditions. This residency offers the rare chance to transcend time through art and cultural exchange, making a lasting impact both on the local community and your artistic practice. We look forward to welcoming you to Levochevo for a transformative experience
Application information
How to Apply: Please submit the following:
- Artist Statement: Explaining your practice, interest in cultural exchange, and how you would approach the themes of the residency.
- Portfolio: A selection of 5-10 images/videos of your recent work, or relevant examples of your artistic practice.
- Project Proposal: A brief description of what you aim to create during the residency, including how you plan to engage with the local community and incorporate elements of Levochevo’s culture, mythology, and traditions.
- CV/Resume: An up-to-date CV or resume outlining your artistic experience and relevant exhibitions, performances, or projects.
- References: Contact information for at least two professional references who can speak to your artistic practice and previous collaborative work.
Send all applications to [watertowerartfest@gmail.com] by [10.04.2024].
