During the time of pandemic cultural life has been transferred to the virtual space. But how do entertainment consumers and artists adapt during a crisis?

For all of us the current experience is something new and different. Some are quick to adapt and accept changes more easily when looking for solutions. For others it is more difficult and they perceive the changes as imposed restrictions and deprivations, says Nikolay Todorov, who is part of the team of the first online festival which is held in Bulgaria in the period April 24 to April 26.

Virusfest was born in response to the state of emergency and canceled mass events and it can "reach as fast as a virus” to a larger audience in Bulgaria and abroad, "as fans of contemporary culture and Bulgarian art are not only people living in this country."

Although it is the first of its kind, the online festival has the ambitious task of providing fun activities for all. It includes a wide range of events - concerts, shows, art workshops, culinary demonstrations, stand-up comedy, tricks, sports, and others. The program also includes storytelling and educational programs with online lectures on personal development and financial literacy.

"Mixing of genres is one of the provocations we have prepared. We have other surprises and original ideas. Anyone who decides to spend this weekend with the Virus Festival can visit our site, choose and create an interesting program for themselves, as well as for their family and friends,” Nikolay Todorov says.

Seeing the activities in the virtual space will be also possible through the festival's Youtube channel and Facebook page. Joining will be completely free and no registration or submission of personal data will be required. However, if people wanted, they could support the various performances by purchasing a virtual ticket.

"The creative energy that all participating artists will be able to show and convey to their fans will provide a completely different perspective on what is happening at the moment. Life does not stop. Through this festival organizers and participants will show that the creative impulse is much stronger than any constraint."

Nikolay Todorov also describes the festival as an opportunity for different artists to "come out of lethargy induced by the unusual situation."

"Some of the participants were pre-selected and invited because of long-standing contacts between us and the fact they are proven professionals in their field of work. At the same time, we also invitеd others to join as the criteria for their works were to be sufficiently well-prepared and well-received by the audience. Currently, the total number of activities is over 50 and participants are more than 60.”

“I believe that the alternative we present will continue to be a channel of communication in the future. I do not want it to become a major one, because socialization and live communication between people, the exchange of ideas and energy are embedded in the essence of humans. I am optimistic that things will soon be back to normal, at least partially. I call on people not to allow massive negative energy overcome them and that we do not succumb to currents that would lead us to nothing good."

English: Alexander Markov