The National Palace of Culture abbreviated in Bulgarian as NDK is the largest multifunctional congress, conference, convention and exhibition center in Southeastern Europe. It was opened in 1981 in celebration of Bulgaria's 1300th anniversary. In July 2005, the National Palace of Culture was proclaimed the best congress centre in the world for the year by the International Organization of Congress Centres. The conference centre is equipped to host a variety of events, including concerts, multilingual conferences, exhibitions and shows. It has an area of 123,000 m² on eight floors and three underground levels. The National Palace of Culture has 13 halls and 15,000 m² of exhibition area, a trade centre and a car park. The main hall can seat over 3,000 people. Annually, NDK hosts more than 300 events such as international conventions, political forums, business conferences, scientific symposiums, music and film festivals, concerts, dance performances, theatre, exhibitions and fairs. The Palace actively supports Bulgarian Culture – as an organizer and producer of its own festivals and events. NDK is a producer of three annual festivals, which have gained great national and international popularity: “Salon of the arts” in May, “Cinemania Film Festival” in November and the “New Year’s Music Festival” in December. NDK undertakes the financing, organizing and programming of the content, as well as marketing and PR campaign for most of the events. In partnership with cultural institutions, diplomatic missions and foundations, NDK participates in Sofia Film Fest, The Sofia Musical Weeks, charity events, collaborated exhibitions and book premieres. In 2012 NDK was a co-organizer of the forums for modern art, city environment, Sofia Dance Week and Sofia Architecture Week. It also hosts the spring and autumn International Book Fair and the B2B Fair “Stroiko”.