Sofia Design Week is an international festival for design and visual culture. It takes place every June in Sofia, and features a professional forum with prominent speakers from all over the world, as well as an extensive programme of open events targeting a broader audience - exhibitions, workshops, discussions, talks, screenings, parties, book openings, and children events. This event strives to serve as a platform which stimulates and supports the development of design professionals in Bulgaria. At the same time the festival aims to present and promote sustainable and sensible practices for better and beneficial visual environment from around the world. It was first launched in 2009 as part of a series of events comprising Sofia Architecture Week, Sofia Dance Week, Sofia Contemporary, Mellow Festival. Last year, the event gathered 70 speakers, and participants from 13 different countries. See programme calendar List of speakers  List of exhibitions  Source: Sofia Design Week