The International Classical Guitar Competition is organized under the patronage of the Mayor of Kyustendil Municipality - еng. Ognyan Atanasov
Art Director of the Competition is Ivan Andonov.
XXVI International Classical Guitar Competition - Kyustendil, which will be held from April 10 - 12, 2025 in the town of Kyustendil, Bulgaria.

First group – up to four grade (up to 11 years old)
Second group – fifth - seventh grade (from 11 to 14 years of age)
Third group – eighth - twelfth grade (from 14 to the age of 18 years old)
Fourth group – over 18 years
Fifth group – „Free Stage of the Soloist”- without age restrictions
Sixth group – „Guitar +”- without age restrictions
Seventh group –„Chamber Music” - without age restrictions
Eighth group – „Guitar Ensembles and Orchestras”- without age restrictions

Those wishing to participate should send a completed Application form and a declaration of informed consent to the e-mails or address below.

Deadline for registration: March 31, 2025

NO FEE IS REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION

PRIZES:

The reward fund includes money bonuses, pieces of art and object prizes running up to the total amount of 6000 Bulgarian leva.

First group: 1st prize - 100 BGN, 2nd prize - 90 BGN, 3rd prize - 80 BGN

Second group - targeted financial support /for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize/

Third group - one-year scholarship /for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize /

Fourth. Fifth, Sixth and Seventh group
1st prize - 150 BGN, 2nd prize - 130 BGN ,
3rd prize – 120 BGN

Eighth group
1st prize - 200 BGN, 2nd prize - 150 BGN, 3rd prize -120 BGN

Besides with the cash prizes in each group, subject awards and cash prizes are awarded provided by the sponsors of the competition.
Bulgarian individual performers from the second age group in classical guitar ranked first, second and third are entitled to apply for a one-time financial support for participation in a master class or course under the conditions and in accordance with the Ordinance for the protection of gifted children in Bulgaria. Those ranked first, second and third in the third age group are entitled to apply for scholarships under the conditions and in accordance with the Ordinance on the protection of gifted children in Bulgaria. For this reason, only one first, one second and one third place will be awarded in these age groups, with no duplication of prizes.
The jury will award three special prizes in each group.
The competition will be awarded Special prize - Statuette "Lyuben Kharalambiev".
The highest prize is the Competition “Grand-Prix” –National Award "PETKO GENKOV" - 1000 BGN object awards and a painting by a famous painter from Kyustendil. It will be awarded to the guitarist who gives the best performance at the Competition.
The winners of the first prizes from the previous edition of the Competition in 2024 may not take part in the same groups.
The order of participation for the contestants will be decided by drawing lots before the competition of the relevant group.

REGULATIONS AND APPLICATION FORM - pdf.