The Bulgarian Film "From Cremona to Cremona" by director Maria Averina Was Shown in Kassel, Germany
As part of the “International Weeks Against Racism” in Kassel, held under the motto “100% Human Dignity. Together Against Racism and Right-Wing Extremism”, the film “From Cremona to Cremona” by Bulgarian director Maria Averina was presented on March 22, 2026 in Kassel, Germany. Its screening abroad has been made possible with the support of the State Institute for Culture to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“From Cremona to Cremona” (2016, 75’) tells the story of Ivan, a young man who has just graduated high school and is beginning work at the largest string instrument factory in Eastern Europe – “Cremona”, in the Bulgarian town of Kazanlak. His dream is to continue his studies in the Mecca of luthiery – the Italian city of Cremona, home of Stradivari and Amati, a symbol of the highest mastery in luthiery. On the way there, Ivan faces a series of encounters and must make a choice - which "Cremona" should he go to, and settle down in?
Maria Averina is a documentary filmmaker. Her work includes the pictures "From Cremona to Cremona", "To Fly with Flippers", "Late Home", "Who is this city?" and "6 Minutes of Happiness". "From Cremona to Cremona" has received the award for best documentary film from the Bulgarian Film Academy in 2017, as well as the award for debut and the award of the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers at the "Golden Rhyton" festival in 2017. "To Fly with Flippers" received the Film Critics Guild Award at the "Golden Rhyton" festival in 2023, the award for best Bulgarian film at the "Master of Art" festival in 2024, as well as the awards for best editing, best composer and the special jury award at the "Vasil Gendov" festival in 2024.
The screening in Germany attracted numerous Bulgarian citizens living in Kassel, guests of the city and representatives of the local community. The film aroused strong interest and inspired lively conversations that continued long after the end of the screening.