site.btaNational Assembly Chair Opens Israel in Sapphire and Gold: A Tale of Two Cities Exhibition in Sofia

National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova opened the Israel in Sapphire and Gold: A Tale of Two Cities exhibition, the National Assembly press office said on Tuesday. The exhibition curated by Olympia Nikolova-Daniel is part of the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Israel.  Paintings by artist of Jewish origin Zoe Sever are on display at Sredets Gallery.

"You present Israel as we want to see it," said Kiselova addressing the author. "The renewal of relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the State of Israel is a very pleasant occasion to enjoy this beautiful exhibition that reminds us of the friendship between our countries," stressed the National Assembly Chair. 

"Anyone who has been to the Holy Land at least once will surely find a painting to their liking in the Israel in Sapphire and Gold: A Tale of Two Cities exhibition," Kiselova noted.

The opening of the exposition was attended by Israel's Ambassador to Bulgaria Yosef Levi Sfari, Deputy Culture Minister Todor Chobanov, representatives of the diplomatic corps in Bulgaria and the Jewish community in the country.

Zoe Sever was born in Lviv, Ukraine, and emigrated to Israel with her parents at the age of 16. She graduated from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem, founded by Bulgarian artist Boris Schatz. Sever has held solo and group exhibitions in Israel, Germany, France, Spain, Australia, the UK, Switzerland, US, and others. Over the past three years, she has been traveling to her native Ukraine, providing equipment and psychological support.