The Romanian Middle Ages in an exhibition

In July Romania and the Republic of Bulgaria marked 125 years of diplomatic relations.

This significant event was solemnly celebrated with an exhibition organised by the Romanian Embassy in Bulgaria. It was opened at the St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library by H.E. Mr. Mihail Rosianu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania. In his salutary speech, the ambassador emphasised on the fact that during the Middle Ages Romania comprised three principalities – Moldavia, Wallachia and Transylvania. The political, ethnic and religious reality in the principalities stimulated the original development of culture, architecture, manuscripts and the crafts.

Central figure in the exhibition is the symbol of Romanian history Stefan cel Mare – leader of the struggle for independence. The Romanian people is rightfully proud that for his merits Pope Sixtus IV called him the Pillar of Christ. In his time, 23 beautiful churches and monasteries were built, many mural paintings and manuscripts were created, which are of extreme value today.

The historic fates of Bulgaria and Romania are inextricably bound. The two neighbouring countries are investing efforts together in their accession to the European Union.

Spiritual feast

In Bulgaria, particularly in periods of crisis the national spirit is stronger than the obstacles to social development. This is why in such times donorship is very vital. During the last 15 years it has been nearly the only source of supply for the funds of Bulgarian museums. Evidence of this was the exhibition Donations 2001-2004 opened on July 15, at the Sofia City Art Gallery.

About 300 paintings, graphics and sculptures were displayed, that have entered the museum collection from the beginning of the century.

Remarkable among the 54 authors from different generations is the priceless donation of 82 paintings of Lika Janko. They show the development of the style of the big Bulgarian artist, the trends of her artistic pursuits. The big donation by Prof. Rumen Skorchev of 85 graphics, which fully represent his work, is also impressive.

Fifty columns

The famous sculptor Ivan Rusev turned 50. On this occasion, in July he made a solo exhibition in Krag+ gallery. The exposition of 50 column elements arranged in different compositions combined the light, the stone and the authentic sounds from the sculptor’s studio. The columns were at the same time props and active elements in the dramatic show of light and sound in the dim halls of the crypt. Torn from the heart of the stone, they are also the form already emblematic for the artist.

Ivan Rusev has a degree in sculpture from the Academy of Arts in Sofia. And he already has his great artistic achievements – a permanent exposition in South Park – Sofia (1988), participation in Olympic Park – Seoul (1988), St. Johan Tirol – Austria (1992), Puebla – Mexico (1998), Ivase – Japan (2000), Oborishte Park – Sofia (2001), Europallia – Belgium (2002). There are his works in most galleries in Bulgaria, and in collections in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Mexico, South Korea, France, Belgium and Japan.

But one of his most significant works up to now is the “Ilindentsi” Sculpture Park in the open.

International Sculpture Symposium in Ilindentsi

About this village we know that there are wonderful rocks with marble womb and that on its hills grow wonderful grapes, from which the famous Keratsuda is made. With this knowledge on July 31 we left for its traditional fair. We were led by the great curiosity to see the ever more famous “Ilindentsi” sculpture park in the open, created on the initiative of the talented sculptor Ivan Rusev. In love with the beauty of the village, he put his whole soul, energy and will in this work. Through Ilindentsi Art Centre Foundation he has been restoring the village for 7 years now. And the village stands in awe of him.

Sixth Summer Salon of the Private Galleries

From August 6 to 19, in the National Exhibition Centre for Modern Art at 6 Shipka St. the Sixth Summer Salon of the Private Galleries took place. It was organised by the Union of Bulgarian Artists. This year 15 galleries from all over the country participated in the salon.

The joint exposition, arranged on two floors, offered a rich and broad view on the activities of the private galleries in Bulgaria. Some of them focused on the presentation of recognised names of now working Bulgarian artists. Others show valuable collections of old masters or works of very young artists in the onset of their artistic career. The overall picture is variegated and multifarious. May be this is a characteristic of the Sixth Salon of the Private Galleries - many-sided and actual review of the artistic life in our country at the present moment.

In the sixth edition of the salon participated the galleries Anatol-Gabi Art – Sofia, Art-M – Tryavna, Vidima – Sevlievo, Victoria – Sofia, Gama – Plovdiv, Ikar – Sofia, Klasika – Sofia, Kozhuharovi – Sofia, Maestro – Sofia, Maslarski – Samokov, Natali – Sofia, Noi – Sofia, Old Bulgarian Painting - Sofia, TEA – Sofia, Tedi – Varna.

Alen Boske in Varna forever

President Georgi Parvanov and the Mayor Kiril Yordanov opened a monument to the French poet, writer and public figure Alen Boske in Varna. The celebration was attended by the wife of the great thinker Norma Boske, representatives of the diplomatic corps in the marine city, etc.

The stone bust of the eminent poet, writer, essayist and translator is erected on the square known as the Lawyers’ Garden, named after Alen Boske a couple of weeks ago. The monument was unveiled by the President Georgi Parvanov on August 10. The writer’s wife Mrs. Norma Boske arrived for the ceremony.

Bulgaria in my dreams

On July 21, the National Museum of Natural Science resounded with the voices of many young Bulgarians living abroad. They gathered for the final stage of the International Fine Arts Contest “Bulgaria in my dreams”. Organised by the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad with the Council of Ministers, it has been held since 2001 with the aim of affiliating the youngest generation of Bulgarians living outside the country with their motherland, of preserving the national historic memory and cultural traditions. Again the best artistic works were displayed at a special exhibition.

A festival dedicated to the life and work of the famous Swedish director Ingmar Bergman will be held in Sofia in October

For three weeks in Center cinema and after that in the Home of the Cinema 23 movies will be shown. 10 of them will be shown for the first time in Bulgaria. The festival will be held with the support of the Swedish Embassy in our country.

On July 13, after the show of Persona a press-conference was held which recalled the incomparable film language of the great director, who has created over 60 movies and written over 300 scripts. His autobiographic book Images is being translated by the director and media critic Vasa Gancheva.

This film retrospection is our biggest initiative for the year, said H.E. Mr. Bertil Roth, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden, whose wife Mrs. Charlotte Roth is among the main organisers of the project. It is expected that Bibi Anderson, one of the favourite actresses of Bergman, will arrive to Bulgaria in October. The public will be able to see the first works of the director and his last movie Sarabanda, shot in 2003 as a continuation of Scenes from a family life.