site.btaLatest Issue of LIK Magazine Devoted to Artist Dechko Uzunov Launched in His Native Town

The latest issue of BTA's LIK magazine devoted to the life and work of painter Dechko Uzunov (February 22, 1899 - April 26, 1986) was launched in his native town of Kazanlak (Central Bulgaria) on Thursday. BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said that "through the image of Dechko Uzunov, the new issue allows us to talk about the access to culture of our people".

The event was attended by Kazanlak Mayor Galina Stoyanova, Assoc. Prof. Georgi Lozanov, head of BTA's Directorate for Knowledge and Culture LIK, Kazanlak's Art Gallery Director Plamen Petrov, and Petya Minekova, Principal of the National High School of Plastic Arts and Design named after Dechko Uzunov.

This is the second LIK issue which can be accessed free of charge on BTA's website. More than 300 printed copies are distributed free of charge in libraries, universities, theatres, galleries, opera houses and other cultural institutions, as well as in monastery libraries.

Kiril Valchev said: "Asked about the meaning of 'national', Dechko Uzunov said it means to achieve, through colour, the feeling of the land where you live and the spirituality of the people who walk on it."

BTA's Director General recalled that Uzunov chaired the Union of Artists in both the Kingdom of Bulgaria and under communism; he was a member of the art academies of Moscow, Paris and Mexico City.

Mayor Galina Stoyanova praised Valchev, saying: "BTA is a media outlet which reports more good news than bad. It brings us back to the spirituality and tradition of  Bulgarianness and to the great Bulgarians who are still relevant."

Assoc. Prof. Lozanov said BTA has one of the richest and oldest archives containing the "chronicle of the community".

Petya Minekova said she was proud that the school of which she is principal had organized a national competition mottoed "Successors of Dechko Uzunov" for 17 years now. This year's theme was "Flight" and next year's will be "Touch". She praised the town's art gallery for making it possible to get in touch with the artist's work.