Varna Summer International Music Festival traces its roots back 82 years, to July 23 1926 when the first Varna Musical Festivities were held. Today it is the oldest musical festival in Bulgaria, and one of the longest-running such events in Europe.

Every June and July, musicians and music lovers from around the world gather to hear live performances from orchestras, bands and vocalists from places like, this year, Portugal, Russia and the United States. In 2008, Varna Summer starts on June 21 with a concert by the Varna Philharmonic at the Festival and Congress Centre.

Other highlights are a jazz and classical programme on June 27, the Baroque orchestra Divino Sospiro from Portugal playing June 29, the string orchestra of Pleven Philharmonic playing on July 4, which includes the participation of a duo formed by Milcho Leviev and Ganka Nedelcheva, and an academic clavier trio from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London performing on July 7. These all take place at the Varna Art Gallery.

The festival closes on July 30 with a gala opera concert.

In the framework of the festival, there are also master classes, as part of the International Summer Academy. This year’s are led by Andreas Adorjan (July 4 to 9, for flute) and Mincho Minchev (July 21 to 27, for violin).

How: varnasummerfest.org