VIVAVIOLIN

VIVAVIOLIN 2026 ONLINE-APPLICATION FORM

The completed VIVAVIOLIN online-application form has to be sent until 13 March 2026.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

1. A copy of a document certifying the applicant’s date of birth;
2. A PASSPORT SIZE photo in a SEPARATE FILE with the participant’s name;
3. A Bank document for the participation fee being paid;
4. Declaration under Personal Data Protection Law
5. Brief presentation of the participant in a SEPARATE FILE (age at the time of the competition; how long the applicant has been playing violin; teacher’s name; educational institution; experience).

The additional documents should be sent until 13 March 2026 to the following email address: ardenzafoundation@gmail.com

The fee for all participants is EURO 70*

*The fee for Bulgarian participants is partially sponsored by the Ardenza Foundation, and the remaining amount due for participation that is to be paid by the participant, is EUR 50.

The fee should be paid by bank transfer to:

Ardenza Foundation
First Investment Bank
3 Narodno sabranie Sq., 1000 Sofia
IBAN: BG76FINV91501203661767
BIC/SWIFT: FINVBGSF

Please specify as a payment reason: “VIVAVIOLIN 2026 Application Fee for (participant’s first and last name)”
All bank fees and commissions are to be paid by the participant.

1. Who can participate?

The VIVAVIOLIN International Competition in Sofia, Bulgaria is open to participants of any age and nationality, who:

Study violin:

• as a private student, at a private music course or a community center;

• Want to have an unforgettable experience of a solo performance at a prestigious concert hall in Sofia.

2. Organizers, dates and place

The VIVAVIOLIN Competition, was founded by Daniela Dikova and Galina Koycheva in 2023. The first three editions were also organized in partnership with the SOFIA CLASSIC Association. The fourth edition of the competition will be held on April 4th and 5th, 2026 in the concert halls of the National Music University “L. Pipkov”, Sofia.

3. Competition round, Gala concert, awards

The competition has only one competition round. The jury will rank the participants in each age group in first, second or third place according to a certain point system. All participants will receive medals and diplomas. Special prizes will be also awarded. The participants ranked first in their group and having the highest points will take part in the final Gala concert.

4. Competition program

The pieces to be performed on the competition round are freely chosen by the participants (pieces, separate parts of sonatas, concertos and other musical compositions) and should be indicated in the application form with timing specified. 

5. Competition groups, age and maximum timing

Violinists from Bulgaria and abroad can take part in the competition, divided into the following groups, each of a different age range and fixed timing for the performance of the pieces.

Violinists applicants with non-professional orientation (students at private courses, community centers, private students):

Group 0 – up to 6 years old inclusive – up to 3 minutes
Group 1 – 7 to 8 years old inclusive – up to 5 minutes
Group 2 – 9 to 10 years old inclusive – up to 7 minutes
Group 3 – 11 to 12 years old inclusive – up to 9 minutes
Group 4 – 13 to 14 years old inclusive – up to 11 minutes
Group 5 – 15 to 16 years old inclusive – up to 13 minutes
Group 5 – 17 to 19 years old inclusive – up to 15 minutes
Group 7 – over 20 years old – up to 18 minutes

In the event of exceeding the timing, the jury reserves its right to interrupt participant’s performance.

*The age of the applicants will be estimated at the date of the competition!

6. Schedule for the competition round

The schedule will be arranged by date of birth within each group. Participants must appear at least 30 minutes prior to their performance time to be officially registered for the competition. An additional premises will be available for a short rehearsal. Participants should secure accompaniment at his own expense. The competition round will be open for audience.

Applicants who do not have an accompanist can indicate in the registration form their desire to have an accompanist recommended by the organizers.
The piano rehearsal and the performance with the recommended accompanist takes place for a fee.

The established schedule for performance will be published on the website of the Ardenza foundation: https://ardenzamusic.org within 3 days before the date of the competition.

7. Costs for the participants

All expenses related to participation in the competition (travel, an accompanist, accommodation, food, etc.) are to be borne by the participant.

8. License and Copyrights

The participants shall authorize the Ardenza Foundation to take photographs and make audio and video recordings to document their participation in the competition, and shall unconditionally waive their right to receive royalties or other compensation for the use of such materials to promote the contest.

9. Consent to the competition rules

By sending the completed application form and documents by the participants, the participants agree to the competition rules.

The competition jury of well-known musical pedagogues from Bulgaria and abroad will work according to the regulation and policy of the competition, approved by the VIVAVIOLIN Organizing Committee. All decisions of the jury, including the ranking of the participants within each competition group and the repertoire to be performed by the first prize winners (having the highest points in their group) at the Gala Concert, shall be final and not subject to appeal.

Prizes awarded based on performance in the competition round

• First, second and third prizes in each Group (0-7)

Prizes awarded based on performance at the Gala Concert

The participant ranked first in the group with the highest number of points will be able to compete for the grand prizes at the final Gala Concert. Based on the performance, the following prizes will be awarded:

• VIVAVIOLIN Grand Prize (awarded to a first-prize winner from Group 5 – 7);
• VIVAVIOLIN JUNIOR Grand Prize (awarded to a first-prize winner from Group 0 – 4);

The winners of the grand prizes will also receive a performance with an orchestra.

Special awards and prizes named after prominent Bulgarian violinists:

• Special award for best performance of a piece by Bulgarian composer.
• Prize by Galina Koycheva;