Diagonal.org

Home
Bulgaria
Sofia
Diagonal.org

We build connections in the cultural sector across communications, marketing, branding and creative partnerships. http://wearediagonal.org

09/06/2026

Stretch 2026 highlights ✨️

When we hear ‘touring’, what does that mean for artists and their practice?

On the second day of Stretch, we had the opportunity to host a very inspiring talk by - Artistic Advisor or - moderated by on the topic “Touring step-by-step - diffusion and touring for artists and presenting work to programmers”.

Risima shared more about her journey with Dance Fest, and how the festival and its international programming has been contributing positively for audience development and for a stronger dance scene and touring opportunities in Macedonia and in the wider Balkan region.

Resilience, artistic identity and strong collaborations were some of the key points highlighted for mapping more sustainable roads for artists to present their work to different audiences 🤝

Thank you for a brilliant and energising conversation!

📸: Dance Fest/ Dragan Perkovski

26/05/2026

✨️ Stretch 2026 highlights ✨️

Throwback to an insightful conversation around visibility, storytelling, and the relationship between artists and press 🗞️

In the panel discussion “Artists’ self-presentation and cultivating a relationship with press”, Stretch co-founder and dance journalist .zapparrata explored how artists can communicate their work more clearly without losing authenticity in the process.

From building meaningful relationships with journalists to understanding how to position artistic work in today’s press landscape, the session opened up a practical view on press visibility in the performing arts sector, and the role of dance criticism and journalism in times of social media and influencers.

Thank you Carmelo for guiding us through the Italian (and European) dance press landscape, and for sharing all your knowledge and passion for the cultural sector with us 🎭

📸: Dance Fest / Dragan Perkovski

06/05/2026

✨️ Stretch 2026 highlights ✨️

A glimpse into our networking session, inviting local & visiting artists and international delegates to find unexpected connections through a series of ice-breaker prompts, sparking conversations rooted in exchange and curiosity 🫂

Stretch x

📸: Dance Fest / Dragan Perkovski

29/04/2026

Happy International Dance Day 💫

We asked our community to describe dance in just one word 👉 swipe to see some of their beautiful answers.

For us, dance means connection ❤️ It’s what keeps us moving, creating, and energised to keep going.

📸: performing during Stretch 2024 at , London • photo by .o.lopes

26/04/2026

It’s a wrap 🎉 Stretch x Dance Fest Skopje

✨️ A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for two days of panel discussions, networking, and professional development workshop ✨️

We’re incredibly grateful to our brilliant partners and for our close collaboration to bring this travelling event to the beautiful city of Skopje, as part of this year’s festival programme.

To our fantastic speakers - thank you for holding space with such generosity, sharing your insights and expertise, and creating meaningful moments of reflection and open conversation.

A special thank you to choreographer for her contribution to our Diagonal Lab workshop, where we came together to build a collective marketing campaign inspired by her world premiere, RIDGES.

And to all participants: , local artists, and international delegates. You made this edition truly special. We leave feeling inspired by the connections formed and the openness to share, play, network, and learn together 🧡

Until we “Stretch” again!

📸: Dance Fest / Dragan Perkovski

22/04/2026

Stretch 2026 starts tomorrow 🎉

We’re looking forward to facilitating our 2-day programme of panel discussions, professional development workshop and networking, in collaboration with

🗓Thursday, 23 April

16:00 - Panel Discussion 🎤Let’s Talk About YOU - Artists’ self-presentation and cultivate a relationship with press

17:00 - Networking session 🤝

🗓Friday, 24 April

9:00 - Morning Stretch! An invitation to move

10:00 - Professional Development 📝 Diagonal Lab Scratch Workshop

13:00 - Panel Discussion 🎤 Touring Step-by-step – Diffusion and Touring for Artists & Presenting Work to Programmers

16:00 - Panel Discussion 🎤 Fundraising, Artist Mobility and European Cooperation

Stretch 2026 x Dance Fest Skopje

🗓 23–24 April 2026
📍MKC – Youth Cultural Center (YCC), Pocket Cinema
🎟️ Free attendance, no pre-registration required

📸 Stretch 2025 in Sofia 🇧🇬 (c) Boris Urumov

21/04/2026

Stretch 2026: introducing the programme 👇

Professional Development 📝 Diagonal Lab Scratch Workshop

Friday, 24 April 10:00

We’re looking forward to facilitating our professional development workshop - Diagonal Lab Scratch – as part of Stretch 2026 in collaboration with

👀 What’s happening in our workshop? 👀
Together, we will build a marketing campaign inspired by a case study: a selected dance work. Once the campaign is drafted, it aims to be ready-made for participants to apply to their own works.

👀 Who is it for? 👀
Our Diagonal Lab Scratch Workshop is designed for dance artists, producers, arts marketers and cultural managers looking for new strategies and tools to promote creative work.

Stretch 2026 x Dance Fest Skopje

🗓 23–24 April 2026
📍MKC – Youth Cultural Center (YCC), Pocket Cinema
🎟️ Free attendance, no pre-registration required

20/04/2026

Stretch 2026: introducing the programme 👇

Panel Discussion 🎤 Fundraising, Artist Mobility and European Cooperation

✨️ Marija Popovic-Zmaja (Economist and Cultural Project Manager, )

✨️ Atanas Maev (Co-founder and Artist Director of , )

✨️ Biljana Prentovska ( MK)

Friday, 24 April 16h

Stretch 2026 x Dance Fest Skopje

🗓 23–24 April 2026
📍MKC – Youth Cultural Center (YCC), Pocket Cinema
🎟️ Free attendance, no pre-registration required

19/04/2026

Stretch 2026: introducing the programme 👇

Panel Discussion 🎤 Touring Step-by-step – Diffusion and Touring for Artists & Presenting Work to Programmers

✨️ (Choreographer, Artistic Advisor of , Artistic Director of

✨️ (Creative Producer)

Friday, 24 April 13:00

Stretch 2026 x Dance Fest Skopje

🗓 23–24 April 2026
📍MKC – Youth Cultural Center (YCC), Pocket Cinema
🎟️ Free attendance, no pre-registration required

01/10/2025

Stretch went over to the EU 🇪🇺 for the first time and it landed in Sofia, Bulgaria 🇧🇬 thanks to our partners 💜

We had two days of discussions, knowledge sharing, and filled the room of with hope for a more connected dance sector and beyond.

It was also lovely to meet up the spaces of for a scratch performance of 😍 While on the road, we never miss an opportunity to see what's buzzing locally. That's fundamentally the mission of Stretch: bringing global knowledge to empowering dynamic local scenes. That's the platform we have, that's how growth happens.

Stay tuned for next moves! 👀

Address

Sofia

Website

http://wearediagonal.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Diagonal.org posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Diagonal.org:

Shortcuts

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in Sofia?