The Red Book of Sofia
Author
Documentary research of Viktor Damov
When
2024
Where
Presentation in 'Svetofar' bookstore
We are talking about those places in Sofia, distinguished by informality, but where we often meet and socialize.
‘The Red Book of Sofia’is a documentary research by architect, urbanist and activist Viktor Damov. It is an oppotunity to talk about those places in Sofia that are distinguished by informality – such as beloved cafes, old cinemas, cultural centres or park benches – that reveal themselves through the stories their creators and inhabitants share. For Victor, these places are important because in them he discovers vanishing points of social justice, where the social is what is valuable. These locations are economically accessible, open to everyone, allow open communication and encourage the mixing of different social layers or overcome stuck prejudices. They are thus becoming important centres in the city, but increasingly in danger of disappearing.
Watch the films online at
Read the essay “The Red List of Sofia Threatened Spaces Unfolded ” by the Journal of Social Vision.
Viktor Damov is a practicing architect and PhD student at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy. In 2021, she graduated with her Master’s project “A Neighborhood for All People”, which explores an (im)possible future for the Women’s Market neighborhood by interweaving anthropology, urban policies and architecture. Since then, his academic interests have focused on analyses of the factors that produce architectural education and practice in Bulgaria, as well as the possibilities for alternative approaches to them, including socially engaged architectural practice. He co-founded the Underschool_ architectural education research collective; as part of this he has been involved in research projects, organised events, lectures and alternative educational formats.
Part of the first edition of Nine Elephants in 2024.
In partnership with Centre for Social Vision.
Links
Presentation of an audio guide that can be listened to alone or in a group during a walk in the city