Le Soleil: where Sofia comes to write

Every writer starts somewhere.

Some seem to arrive with a natural feel for words; others are only just discovering the pleasure of arranging their thoughts on a page. Either way, it helps to have somewhere to write, exchange ideas with people who have stories of their own and enjoy the evening. Enter the Le Soleil writing workshop. If the phrase makes you picture an earnest circle passing notebooks around a community hall, think again. Here there is wine, crêpes, candlelight, music and about 40 minutes to write whatever comes to mind, with nobody hovering over your shoulder, red pen in hand. It began almost three years ago, when a group of friends who liked to write decided winter evenings could be more interesting. Inspired by Parisian creative salons, they brought the idea to Sofia’s French café Le Soleil. No grand strategy, just a love of art, good conversation and a glass of wine on the table.

With each Tuesday, the empty chairs grew fewer, the stories multiplied and people began getting to know one another beyond the table. A gathering of friends became a community. In the format described in the original report, the evening begins at 6.30pm with conversation, crêpes and wine. At 7pm,

the host introduces a writing prompt, perhaps a letter, an object,

a photograph or a painting. Then come roughly 40 minutes of writing, with quiet music and candlelight. Everyone works on their own story, without knowing what is happening at the next table. Afterwards comes the reading. Those who want to share do so; everyone else listens. No unnecessary criticism and no sense that you have something to prove. Just people putting their phones and daily routines aside to give their imaginations a little room.

The formula seems to work. In nearly three years, the workshop reported more than 65 regular members, over 130 events and upwards of 2,000 pieces of writing. You don’t have to call yourself a writer to take part. The people around the tables include lawyers, psychotherapists, accountants, actors, bartenders, business owners, cashiers and IT specialists. There are teenagers, couples, single people, men and women.

Different lives, different occupations, all drawn by the chance to write, listen and meet.

Alongside the regular evenings are two group chats, one about art and another that is decidedly less so. There are also two social gatherings a month: one cultural, and one we will leave you to discover. The original report announced a Plovdiv chapter starting on 3 October 2026. If you have been meaning to write but never seem to find the time, perhaps a Tuesday evening, a glass of wine and 40 phone-free minutes are a reasonable place to begin. You can write the rest yourself.

Three international writers for adventurous readers

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