site.btaKazanlak Art Gallery Director Calls for More Research into Christo’s Artistic Ties with Bulgaria

Art historian and director of the Kazanlak Art Gallery, Plamen Petrov, emphasized the need for further research into the life of Christo Javacheff (Christo) and his connections with other Bulgarian artists. Speaking at BTA’s National Press Club in Kazanlak during the launch of LIK magazine’s June issue - dedicated to Christo and Jeanne-Claude - Petrov called for greater scholarly attention from the Bulgarian art community, suggesting that the new Christo and Jeanne-Claude Centre in Gabrovo could inspire such efforts.

He highlighted the link between Christo and renowned Kazanlak artist Dechko Uzunov, recounting the rediscovery of a previously overlooked portrait by Uzunov. The painting, titled Mariana, became a focal point of a new permanent exhibition at the Dechko Uzunov House-Museum. Research into the portrait led the gallery team to the woman’s home in Vienna, where the painting was created in 1956. This same home, Petrov revealed, also played a role in Christo’s early years abroad.

In 1957, Uzunov introduced Christo to the family of Mariana Kalendzhieva, who is still alive today. Three portraits of Mariana created by Christo remain in that home. Petrov also noted that Uzunov and Christo met again in Paris in the 1970s, and that he recently discovered a catalog signed by Christo and dedicated to Uzunov.

Plamen Petrov expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the LIK presentation and highlighted the importance of preserving and sharing local cultural heritage that connects Bulgaria to the global art world.