LOCATION AND DATES

Republic of Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a member of NATO and a full member of the European Union and the Council of Europe. It is located in Eastern Balkans which is a geopolitical and cultural region of South-Eastern Europe. The location of the country (between Europe and Asia) allows for its economic, political and cultural development through the centuries and for regional development today.
Crossroads location of Bulgaria defines its strategic location in Europe. There are five out of the ten European corridors which cross the country, making Bulgaria a bridge between the countries of Europe and the Middle East.

Sofia
Sofia is one of the oldest European capitals. History and culture have donated generously to Bulgaria as a country located in the centre of the Balkans. Sofia is a very important city as the capital of the country and its traditional cultural centre. Its history dates back to the 7^th millennium BC.
Today Sofia is a modern city that attracts thousands of people with its history, remarkable ancient monuments, but also with its rich opportunities for a scientific, festival, religious and all types of activities. Sofia is the biggest city in Bulgaria which offers many opportunities for Bulgarian citizens and guests.

National Palace of Culture
The National Palace of Culture – Congress Centre Sofia (NDK) is the largest and the most impressive multifunctional complex in South-Eastern Europe perfectly equipped for realizing prestigious events of the whole range of cultural and social-economic life. It is a member of two of the most prestigious international associations in the field of congress business – ICCA and AIPC, and in 2005, it has been distinguished by The World’s Best Congress Centre Award.
Incorporating facilities and excellent technical equipment, NDK is still the most preferable place to carry out professional fairs of a variety of branches:

• NPC is situated in the capital’s centre, which provides easy access and effective communications.
• 15000 sq. m of lobbies and halls lay on 11 levels, on which 6000 sq. m can be built up of non-standard exhibition areas – a real challenge to the design teams.
• There are comfortable halls to hold parallel events: displays, press conferences, symposia, cocktails, etc.
• NPC has prestigious partners like Bery Group Bulgaria, on which stable relations are built up in organizing and carrying out fairs and exhibitions.

The National Palace of Culture is a multifunctional complex, a contemporary castle synthesis of modern architecture and plastic arts. The magnificent spaces are spiritualized by more than hundreds of the monumental painting, sculpture, wood-carving, Gobelin, metal plastic, and other art genres.
There is more steel used in it than in the Eiffel Tower. The cultural life of the capital, as well as prestigious congress and convention activities, business and political events, are centralized under its roof. In this sense, the Palace is unique.
The National Palace of Culture (NDK) hosted the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the European Union. The NDK is one of the symbols of Sofia and one of the most famous buildings in Bulgaria!