Dessy Gavrilova

Dessy Gavrilova is Vienna-based Bulgarian cultural entrepreneur, music and art curator, cultural consultant and drama author. In Sofia, Gavrilova co-founded and directed The Red House Center for Culture and Debate — a socio-cultural centre that programmed innovative socially engaged art along with public talks and lectures on relevant socio-political and cultural topics.

In Vienna, she founded the European Network of Houses for Debate “Time to Talk” — a network of cultural centers and initiatives across Europe that promote public debate, develop the culture of civic argumentation and aim to inspire dialogue and understanding.

In 2016, Gavrilova initiated and co-founded (together with Vienna Museum and IWM) the Vienna Humanities Festival, an annual event that today is emblematic for Austria’s capital. During one long weekend in September, the festival features more than forty debates with leading international thinkers, scholars and authors.

Most recently she founded a startup that supports kids reading with comprehension and develops their media literacy, and civil and global competences.

Her documentary play, “Innocent Murders”, was singled out among the best plays of 2015 by both Ikar and Askeer theatre prizes in Bulgaria.

In 2011, she was listed as one of the 100 most influential women in Bulgaria.