Category 4 – no age restrictions

The first round will take place on 27 November 2026 and the Final on 29 November 2026 at Katya Popova Hall – Pleven. The starting times and exact order of appearance will be published after registration closes.

There are no age restrictions. Each participant may enter the classical guitar solo competition in only one age category for which they meet the eligibility requirements. Entry in two or more solo age categories is not permitted. The same participant may also take part as a member of a chamber group, guitar ensemble, or orchestra, provided they meet the relevant requirements.

The six participants with the highest scores qualify for the Final. In the event of a tie at the cut-off point, up to eight participants may be admitted. If the tie would result in more than eight candidates, the scores for artistic interpretation and technical command are compared in that order; if the tie remains, the jury decides by an open vote.

Round I: at least two works from at least two different periods in music history, with a total duration of between 12 and 15 minutes.

Final: an entirely different programme of at least two works from at least two periods; no work or movement from Round I may be repeated, with a total duration of between 20 and 23 minutes.

The programmes in both rounds must be performed from memory.

The application and payment of the regular fee must be completed via the online form by 26 October 2026. After this deadline and up to and including 15 November 2026, late registration and payment are possible at a fee that is 30% higher — €104. Confirm your email, create your profile and add the participant or ensemble. Then complete and submit the relevant application. An account alone is not a submitted application; submission does not mean approval or payment. Personal data and age declarations are confirmed online in the relevant steps instead of being uploaded as separate files. The following must be uploaded to the participant’s profile by 15 November 2026: photograph; repertoire list; proof of fee payment. Registration is final upon receipt of all documents and payment. Fees are non-refundable unless the organizers cancel the category.

Criteria: repertoire selection and stylistic appropriateness; artistic interpretation; technical command and level of difficulty; tone control, sound quality and intonation; stage presence. Each jury member evaluates independently according to the announced criteria. Where there are at least five valid scores, the highest and lowest are excluded; where there are fewer, all valid scores are averaged. A jury member does not evaluate their own current or former student. Decisions are final. Results are officially announced via the zCore festival platform. Scores from Round I serve only to determine admission to the Final and are not added to the final score. The final ranking is determined solely by the Final. The result is rounded to two decimal places. For point-based prizes: 90.00–100.00 points – First Prize; 80.00–89.99 points – Second Prize; 70.00–79.99 points – Third Prize; 60.00–69.99 points – Special Prize. The Grand Prize may be awarded to the participant with the highest score in the Final, provided that the minimum score is 95.00 points; the jury may decide not to award it.

• Grand Prize in the category: invitation to a paid performance at the next edition of Pleven Guitar Fest (fee plus full coverage of travel, accommodation and meals); invitation to a paid performance at the next edition of Summer Guitar Academy (fee plus full coverage of travel, accommodation and meals); paid invitation to a concert tour (fee plus full coverage of travel, accommodation and meals); appearances on radio and television programmes, as well as an opportunity to perform with an orchestra; statuette; diploma; prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• First Prize: paid invitation to perform in a concert at the next edition of Pleven Guitar Fest; statuette; prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• Second Prize: medal; diploma; prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• Third Prize: medal; diploma; prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• Special Prize: diploma; prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors.

*Note: The participant awarded the highest number of points (regardless of category) will receive the Grand Prize of the international competition: a “Cremona” classical guitar.