https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/rss Sat, 20 Jun 2026 04:58:41 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1151217-bta-forum-in-kyustendil-examines-pencho-slaveykov-s-place-in-bulgarian-literary- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1151217-bta-forum-in-kyustendil-examines-pencho-slaveykov-s-place-in-bulgarian-literary- Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:27:00 +0300 At a discussion hosted by BTA’s National Press Club in Kyustendil as part of a BTA initiative marking the 160th anniversary of Pencho Slaveykov’s birth, scholars, journalists and descendants of the Slaveykov family reflected on the poet’s legacy and the place of Bulgarian modernism in contemporary culture. Literary scholar Yordan Eftimov highlighted the role of Pencho’s brother, Hristo Slaveykov, in Bulgaria’s national history, describing him as a symbol of commitment to the rule of law. Eftimov noted that Hristo Slaveykov, who spent much of his life in Kyustendil, served as speaker of the National Assembly when Bulgaria proclaimed its independence in 1908 and later became justice minister. Sofia Peycheva, director of Kyustendil’s Regional Library, raised the question of how today’s teenagers would perceive Pencho Slaveykov’s works. While there is interest in the poet among library users, she said it is largely academic or educational, adding that his archaic language and style make him challenging reading for modern audiences. Journalist and philologist Kiril Falin criticized the way Pencho Slaveykov was traditionally taught in schools, saying his work was often presented in a fragmented and incomplete manner. Journalist Emilia Lukanova argued that urban culture is gradually eroding in modern Bulgaria and described Pencho Slaveykov as a more cosmopolitan and complex figure than Ivan Vazov. According to her, Slaveykov sought to align Bulgarian culture with broader European trends and promoted a more refined literary tradition. Elena Slaveykova, great-granddaughter of Hristo Slaveykov, spoke about the strong bond between the two brothers. She recalled family stories about Pencho’s frequent visits to Kyustendil and the nearby village of Yabalkovo, where a centuries-old linden tree associated with the poet still stands. Poet Radosveta Zlateva turned attention to Pencho’s father, Petko Slaveykov, whom she described as a pioneer in many fields. She noted his contributions as a writer, folklorist, minister and advocate of church independence, arguing that he deserves recognition as a second patriarch of Bulgarian literature. The discussion in Kyustendil was part of a nationwide series of events organized by BTA across its 33 national press clubs. The initiative began in Tryavna, Pencho Slaveykov’s birthplace, and will continue in other cities throughout the year. BTA has also announced that the December issue of its LIK magazine will be dedicated to the poet, featuring reports from the discussions and contributions from 160 authors marking the anniversary. Culture Elitsa Ivanova Yaroslav Stavrev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150802-two-in-three-bulgarians-proud-of-dara-s-victory-in-eurovision-song-contest-pol https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150802-two-in-three-bulgarians-proud-of-dara-s-victory-in-eurovision-song-contest-pol Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:01:37 +0300 A total of 67.2% of Bulgarians are proud of Dara's victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, according to a survey by the Myara Sociology Agency. Personal support for the singer is also clearly evident, although far fewer people like the musical style of Eurovision itself, the agency reported on Friday. The data comes from an independent survey conducted between June 4 and 12 among 817 adult Bulgarians. While two in three Bulgarians said they are proud of Dara's success, another 17.9% stated that they do not feel proud of the Bulgarian representative. Among them, older respondents stand out, as do supporters of political parties that are more sceptical of the West. Just under 8% of the respondents considered themselves insufficiently familiar with the topic, while the rest were undecided on how to respond. Dara enjoys high popularity with 66.7% of the respondents sharing that they have a positive view of the singer, while 11.8% had a negative view. Undecided respondents accounted for 14.2%, and another 7.3% said that they are not familiar with the Eurovision winner. This indicator also shows broad approval across all demographic groups and segments of society, with slightly more scepticism and indecision among the oldest age group. Respondents that were more conservative or critical toward the West also tended to feel less positive about the singer. The public clearly distinguishes between personal, musical, and national success on the one hand, and their own musical tastes on the other. Pride in and support for Dara significantly exceed the number of fans of the music styles that tend to dominate the Eurovision contest. Those who identify as fans of the musical style that is dominant in the Eurovision Song Contest accounted for 44.1%, while 35.4% stated outright that they do not like this style of music. The rest were either undecided (5.6%) or considered themselves insufficiently familiar with the subject (14.6%). Culture Nikolay Zabov Nikolay Trifonov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150942-second-inscription-to-heracles-kynagidas-discovered-in-heraclea-sintica https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150942-second-inscription-to-heracles-kynagidas-discovered-in-heraclea-sintica Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:46:00 +0300 A second inscription naming Heracles Kynagidas (“the Hunter”) was discovered during excavations at the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica on Friday. The excavations are being led by Prof. Ludmil Vagalinski from the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM–BAS). The new inscription is engraved on a large stone cup that is not fully preserved. However, a substantial part of the text remains legible, allowing archeologists to link it to the cult of Heracles in his hunter aspect. Beneath the inscription, a relief depiction of a Macedonian-type shield is clearly visible, a symbol associated with ancient Macedonian iconography known from coins and other artifacts, Vagalinski said, adding that opposite the shield, a fragment of a figure can be seen, likely the head of a horse or boar. The vessel was found near an altar where, just days earlier, another inscription had been deciphered. According to the excavation team, both finds are contemporary and likely belonged to the same ritual complex. The cup is thought to have been used in cult practices dedicated to the mythological hero. This is the second epigraphic monument related to Heracles Kynagidas uncovered in the current season, contributing significantly to the understanding of religious practices in Heraclea Sintica. The team also has a fragment from the base of a similar stone vessel. A petrographic analysis will determine whether the pieces belong to the same object, with specialists in stone materials involved in the study. Excavations continue with detailed documentation of the archaeological context to improve dating and interpretation of the structures and artifacts discovered. Last week, a marble torso and part of a marble statue of a goddess were found at the ancient city. Culture BTA correspondent Denitsa Kyuchukova Filip Pavlov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150751-bulgarian-students-win-four-medals-at-european-physics-olympiad-in-sweden https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150751-bulgarian-students-win-four-medals-at-european-physics-olympiad-in-sweden Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:08:00 +0300 Bulgarian students won four medals at the European Physics Olympiad (EuPhO) which took place in Sweden's second largest city Gothenburg, the Education and Science Ministry reported on Friday. They received two gold, two silver medals and an honorary diploma, competing with about 200 contestants from 41 countries. Tenth graders Svetoslav Arabov (a student at Varna's High School of Mathematics) and Yordan Petkov (American College of Sofia) received gold. Twelfth grader Alexander Nikolov (First Private Mathematical High School, Sofia) and tenth grader Miroslav Draganov (National High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Burgas) won silver. Twelfth grader Atanas Gochev at Sofia High School of Mathematics was awarded an honorary diploma. Tutors of the young contestants are PhD Neno Todorov and Georgi Aleksandrov of the Faculty of Physics at St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. The boys' achievements are the greatest success for Bulgaria at EuPhO since 2021 when students returned from the olympiad with two gold and three bronze medals. Since the contest's first appearance in 2017, Bulgaria won a total of 7 gold, 12 silver, 26 bronze medals and four honorary diplomas. The European Physics Olympiad (EuPhO) is a contest aimed at introducing students to real science work processes. EuPhO encourages contestants to tackle scientific problems while applying creative approaches. During the experimental stage students explored liquids' and small solid samples' properties using an acoustic levitator whereas the theoretical part covered diverse branches of physics such as mechanics, electricity, magnetism and thermodynamics, the Ministry of Education and Science wrote. Culture Dimitrina Vetova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150782-christo-s-art-brought-together-people-from-diverse-backgrounds-immersed-them-in https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150782-christo-s-art-brought-together-people-from-diverse-backgrounds-immersed-them-in Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:45:05 +0300 The art of Christo Javacheff brought together people from diverse backgrounds and immersed them in his world, journalist Evgenia Atanasova said at an event titled “The Bulgarian Face of Christo” and held at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Paris on Thursday evening. Last year, an article by Atanasova dedicated to the Bulgarian-born artist was published in LIK magazine's special issue “Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity.” The magazine's June issue marked the 90th anniversary of Christo and Jeanne-Claude.  During the event, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev presented the French translation of the LIK issue. Special guests included Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev and Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation Director Vladimir Yavachev. The event also recalled interviews with Christo by Evgenia Atanasova, Daniel Nenchev, and Assoc. Prof. Georgi Lozanov. Тhe fact that so many people attended the event shows that Christo’s art continues to bring people together and remains alive, she said. “Christo had a unique ability to connect people who had absolutely nothing to do with art. His work inspired individuals from all walks of life to engage with his world and to follow his artistic journey for the rest of their lives,” she said. Atanasova shared that her own encounter with Christo and Jean-Claude changed her life forever.  Atanasova recounted that at every meeting with Christo, he was deeply and genuinely excited about the work he was creating. Christo told her how encounters with other renowned 20th-century artists influenced him and helped him discover his own language. “The very fact that art historians have no words to describe the art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude… He described it as art in open space and temporary projects. And he strongly objected to it being called conceptual art,” Atanasova recalled. In her view, “Christo created his own language and made a real discovery with each new project—be it a construction, material, or something else.“ “What I find particularly exciting today is that many artists are embracing the approaches pioneered by Christo and Jean-Claude,” she added. Atanasova cited what she described as “their unique method of self-financing—a model that is now followed by many artists.“ “JR, who is currently bringing together visitors of Paris at the Pont Neuf, is using an inflatable structure to build his cave. He also made a full-scale test—just as Christo did for each of his projects. It is located at Orly Airport and can be seen by the public,” the journalist said. Christo has passed on valuable creative tools to younger generations of artists, enabling them to forge their own paths and develop their own artistic language, she added.  BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity was published in three translated editions: English, German and French. The French edition was published with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Air Transport, Sts Constantine and Helena Holding, and INORCOAT. Since January 2024, LIK magazine has been freely accessible. All issues published since its revival in 2022 can be downloaded in electronic format from BTA’s website. The French issue on Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity is also available on BTA’s website. Culture Yoana Vodenicharova Yanitsa Hristova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150754-bulgarian-cultural-institute-in-paris-hosts-event-dedicated-to-artist-christo-ja https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150754-bulgarian-cultural-institute-in-paris-hosts-event-dedicated-to-artist-christo-ja Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:30:00 +0300 The Bulgarian Cultural Institute (BCI) in Paris Thursday hosted an event titled “The Bulgarian Image of Christo“ as a tribute to Bulgarian-born artist Christo Javacheff.  Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev and Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation Director Vladimir Yavachev were special guests. As part of the event, Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev presented the French-language edition of BTA's LIK magazine, “Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity.“ Last June, LIK devoted a special issue to the two artists on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of their birth. “The Bulgarian Image of Christo“ revisited interviews with Christo by journalists Evgenia Atanasova, Daniel Nenchev and Assoc. Prof. Georgi Lozanov. Speaking at the event, Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev said that Jeanne-Claude and Christo’s art symbolizes high art that reaches millions. “This evening is special because it is dedicated to one of perhaps the most recognizable Bulgarian artists in the world, Christo Javacheff, and Jeanne-Claude,” Miloshev said. He spoke of the artists’ exceptional sense of freedom and spirit, saying their work was about loving, believing and creating in a way that touches millions of people around the world. Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation Director Vladimir Yavachev said that the most important legacy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, apart from the memory of their projects, is their attitude to art in public space and the way it can awaken the interest of people who are not directly connected with art. Addressing Miloshev, he called for continued support for art in public space and for more projects aimed at young artists. “It is important for the public that this happens and continues to happen,” Yavachev said. BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said that Christo can give Bulgarians confidence that their success can make them world-famous. “Christo was not only born in the Bulgarian city of Gabrovo 90 years ago, on June 13, 1935, but was also raised and educated in Bulgaria. This is not grounds for chest-thumping patriotism, but for a humble recognition that the talent capable of creating universal art can be born anywhere, including in Bulgaria,“ Valchev said.  BCI Director Desislava Bineva expressed her gratitude to Valchev and his team for publishing LIK's special issue dedicated to Christo and Jean-Claude. Journalist Daniel Nenchev stressed that Christo’s story began in Gabrovo. He recalled that when the artist left Bulgaria in 1956, he was escaping “a prison“ and a regime that dictated what artists could paint, say, and create. “To have such a powerful drive for freedom, one must be escaping something that is not freedom. Christo managed to do this brilliantly,“ Nenchev said. Journalist Evgenia Atanasova said that the fact that so many people attended the event shows that Christo’s art continues to bring people together and remains alive. “Christo had a unique ability to connect people who had absolutely nothing to do with art. His work inspired individuals from all walks of life to engage with his world and to follow his artistic journey for the rest of their lives,” she said. Atanasova shared that her own encounter with Christo and Jean-Claude changed her life forever. “What I find particularly exciting today is that many artists are embracing the approaches pioneered by Christo and Jean-Claude,” she added. Christo has passed on valuable creative tools to younger generations of artists, enabling them to forge their own paths and develop their own artistic language, the journalist said. Among those attending the event were Bulgaria’s Ambassador to France, Radka Balabanova-Ruleva; Laure Martin-Poulet, Director of L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped; and Didi Yavasheva. The audience, which completely filled the hall of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute, included representatives of Bulgarian schools in France, Bulgarian-born artists, architects, lawyers and writers, and French citizens. For the French-speaking members of the audience, live interpretation was provided by Kamelia Triboulin-Konaktchieva, principal of the Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian School in Paris. The event coincided with the presentation in Paris of La Caverne du Pont Neuf, an installation by French artist JR that pays tribute to the work of Christo and Jean-Claude. The project was inspired by their landmark 1985 installation The Pont Neuf Wrapped. At the end of the evening, Miloshev, Valchev, Yavashev, Bineva, Atanasova, Nenchev, and other guests visited La Caverne du Pont Neuf. BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity was published in three translated editions: English, German and French. The French edition was published with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Air Transport, Sts Constantine and Helena Holding, and INORCOAT. Since January 2024, LIK magazine has been freely accessible. All issues published since its revival in 2022 can be downloaded in electronic format from BTA’s website. The French issue on Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity is also available on BTA’s website. Culture Yoana Vodenicharova Yanitsa Hristova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1150741-ruse-state-opera-brings-cinderella-ballet-to-bucharest-opera-festival https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1150741-ruse-state-opera-brings-cinderella-ballet-to-bucharest-opera-festival Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:21:00 +0300 The Ruse State Opera will present Sergei Prokofiev's ballet Cinderella at the National Opera Bucharest on Friday evening, marking the Bulgarian company's second consecutive appearance in the Romanian capital. The production, choreographed by Natalia Osipova, offers a contemporary interpretation of the beloved fairy tale. In a departure from the traditional story, the central male character is a humble young shoemaker secretly in love with Cinderella, whose dreams transform him into a prince in a magical journey shaped by love and imagination. Conducted by Dimitar Kosev, the performance features the ballet and orchestra of the Ruse State Opera, with concertmaster Tamara Lazarova. The production combines dynamic stage and video design by Petko Tanchev with costumes by Yana Dvoretska. The performance is part of the fifth edition of the Bucharest Opera Festival, held this year under the theme "Love Affairs" and dedicated to some of the most compelling love stories in opera and ballet. The festival brings together more than 1,500 artists and technical staff, with participants including companies from Italy, Poland, Moldova and Japan. Balkans BTA correspondent Martina Gancheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150641-journalist-daniel-nenchev-christo-fled-totalitarian-repression-not-bulgaria https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150641-journalist-daniel-nenchev-christo-fled-totalitarian-repression-not-bulgaria Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:04:42 +0300 Artist Christo Javacheff (Christo) did not flee Bulgaria, but the repression of the totalitarian regime, journalist Daniel Nenchev said during an event dedicated to The Bulgarian Image of Christo at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Paris. At the event, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev presented the French-language edition of BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity. BTA published the issue last year to mark the 90th anniversary of the birth of the two artists.  Among the special guests were Bulgarian Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev and Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation Director Vladimir Yavachev. The programme also featured interviews with Christo conducted by journalists Evgenia Atanasova-Teneva and Daniel Nenchev, as well as media expert Georgi Lozanov. Nenchev stressed that Christo’s story began in Gabrovo. He recalled that when the artist left Bulgaria in 1956, he was escaping "a prison" and a regime that dictated what artists could paint, say, and create. "To have such a powerful drive for freedom, one must be escaping something that is not freedom. Christo managed to do this brilliantly," Nenchev said. He noted that the love story and artistic partnership of Christo and Jeanne-Claude began in Paris and welcomed what he described as growing efforts by the Bulgarian state to preserve the artists’ legacy. Nenchev also highlighted a project by the municipality of Gabrovo to transform a former textile technical school into a contemporary arts centre named after Christo and Jeanne-Claude. He said the initiative offers an opportunity to turn a former socialist-era building into a modern space for art and young creators. Recalling an interview he conducted with Christo years ago, Nenchev said he had initially been surprised that the artist preferred to speak in English. He later discovered that both Christo and Jeanne-Claude had moved away from their native languages after settling in the United States. According to Nenchev, adopting English enabled them to work more freely around the world and create their own artistic language, combining Christo’s drawings with Jeanne-Claude’s production vision and organizational talent. BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity was published in three translated editions: English, German and French. The French edition was published with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Air Transport, Sts Constantine and Helena Holding, and INORCOAT. Since January 2024, LIK magazine has been freely accessible. All issues published since its revival in 2022 can be downloaded in electronic format from BTA’s website. The French issue on Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity is also available on BTA’s website. Culture Yanitsa Hristova Veneta Litkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150616-christo-and-jeanne-claude-foundation-director-yavachev-says-art-in-public-space- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150616-christo-and-jeanne-claude-foundation-director-yavachev-says-art-in-public-space- Fri, 19 Jun 2026 01:38:07 +0300 Art in public space should be supported, Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation Director Vladimir Yavachev said on Thursday. Yavachev was a special guest at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute (BCI) in Paris during an evening dedicated to The Bulgarian Image of Christo. At the event, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev presented the French-language edition of BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity. BTA published the issue last year to mark the 90th anniversary of the birth of the two artists. The programme also recalled interviews with Christo Javacheff by journalists Evgenia Atanasova-Teneva, Daniel Nenchev and Georgi Lozanov. Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev was also a special guest. Yavachev said the most important legacy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, apart from the memory of their projects, is their attitude to art in public space and the way it can awaken the interest of people who are not directly connected with art. Addressing Miloshev, he called for continued support for art in public space and for more projects aimed at young artists. “It is important for the public that this happens and continues to happen,” Yavachev said. He noted that such projects are often difficult to carry out, citing JR’s project on Pont Neuf, which had to be postponed by a week because of the weather. Unlike works shown in the controlled space of a gallery or museum, projects in public space take place amid weather conditions and the many uncertainties of the urban environment, Yavachev said, adding that they also require courage. Yavachev thanked BTA for the LIK issue dedicated to Christo and Jeanne-Claude and said LIK was the magazine he had grown up with. “There were always many issues of LIK in my house. I received a lot of information about art from it throughout my childhood. I am very happy about this issue dedicated to Christo and Jeanne-Claude,” he said. BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity was published in three translated editions: English, German and French. The French edition was published with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Air Transport, Sts Constantine and Helena Holding, and INORCOAT. Since January 2024, LIK magazine has been freely accessible. All issues published since its revival in 2022 can be downloaded in electronic format from BTA’s website. The French issue on Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity is also available on BTA’s website. Culture Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150614-culture-minister-miloshev-says-jeanne-claude-and-christo-s-art-reaches-millions https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150614-culture-minister-miloshev-says-jeanne-claude-and-christo-s-art-reaches-millions Fri, 19 Jun 2026 01:07:00 +0300 Jeanne-Claude and Christo’s art symbolizes high art that reaches millions, Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev said Thursday. Miloshev was a special guest at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute (BCI) in Paris, which hosted an evening dedicated to The Bulgarian Image of Christo. During the event, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev presented the French-language edition of BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity. The issue marked the 90th anniversary of the birth of the two artists. The programme also recalled interviews with Christo Javacheff by journalists Evgenia Atanasova-Teneva, Daniel Nenchev and Georgi Lozanov. Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation Director Vladimir Yavachev was also a special guest. “This evening is special because it is dedicated to one of perhaps the most recognizable Bulgarian artists in the world, Christo Javacheff, and Jeanne-Claude,” Miloshev said. He spoke of the artists’ exceptional sense of freedom and spirit, saying their work was about loving, believing and creating in a way that touches millions of people around the world. Miloshev said he was deeply moved to be at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute for a second consecutive evening. He said the event was part of efforts to increase the visibility of Bulgarian culture and art in France and Europe, and reflected the cultural policy pursued by the Bulgarian Government through the Bulgarian Cultural Institute. Miloshev praised BTA’s initiative to publish a special French-language issue of its literature, art and culture magazine for a second time in France. He expressed gratitude to BTA and voiced hope that Valchev would continue the tradition, saying that the media can help implement Bulgaria’s cultural policy. BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity was published in three translated editions: English, German and French. The French edition was published with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Air Transport, Sts Constantine and Helena Holding, and INORCOAT. Since January 2024, LIK magazine has been freely accessible. All issues published since its revival in 2022 can be downloaded in electronic format from BTA’s website. The French issue on Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity is also available on BTA’s website. Culture Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150606-bta-director-general-valchev-says-christo-can-give-bulgarians-confidence-to-succ https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150606-bta-director-general-valchev-says-christo-can-give-bulgarians-confidence-to-succ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:19:56 +0300 Christo can give Bulgarians confidence that their success can make them world-famous, Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev said on Thursday. He was presenting the French-language edition of BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute. Last June, BTA’s literature, art and culture publication devoted a themed issue to the two artists to mark the 90th anniversary of their birth. The Paris premiere was part of an evening dedicated to The Bulgarian Image of Christo, hosted by Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Paris (BCI) Director Desislava Bineva. Special guests included Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev and Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation Director Vladimir Yavachev. The event also revisited interviews with Christo Javacheff by journalists Evgenia Atanasova-Teneva, Daniel Nenchev and Georgi Lozanov. Attendees included Bulgarian Ambassador Radka Balabanova-Ruleva, Laure Martin-Poulet, director of Christo’s L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped project, and Didi Yavasheva. The audience also included representatives of Bulgarian schools in France, artists, architects, lawyers and writers of Bulgarian origin, as well as French guests. Valchev said the event celebrated Christo in the city most receptive to the art he created with Jeanne-Claude. He noted that it was taking place in the same week JR’s installation La Caverne du Pont Neuf (The Cave of Pont Neuf), inspired by the two artists, opened, in the month of their birth on June 13, 1935, and on the tenth anniversary of Christo’s last major project realized in his lifetime, The Floating Piers on Lake Iseo in Italy in 2016. “This is a fitting moment to show French audiences and Bulgarians in France how Bulgarian media have presented Christo and continue to discuss his work,” he said. “We are doing this through an issue of LIK, the magazine of BTA, Bulgaria’s national news agency, which was also published in French last year to mark the 90th anniversary of the birth of Christo and Jeanne-Claude and 40 years since the wrapping of Pont Neuf in Paris. The issue was also published in German and has already been presented at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Berlin to mark 30 years since the wrapping of the Reichstag, as well as in English to mark 20 years since The Gates in New York,” Valchev said. He added that in Paris Bulgarian journalists paid tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude with excerpts from interviews with Christo by Evgenia Atanasova-Teneva, Daniel Nenchev and Georgi Lozanov. “This event in Paris, with Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev’s participation, shows that Bulgaria has always been part of the common European cultural space of free people, and that Bulgarians and French people are linked by a shared cultural tradition,” Valchev added. Valchev recalled moments from LIK magazine’s more than 60-year history, during which it was often described as “a window to the world”. “Revived in 2022 after a decade-long hiatus, the magazine now has a thematic focus and draws on BTA’s archive. It presents highlights from reports carried in the agency’s bulletins and news services over the 128 years since the first bulletin in 1898, while offering a contemporary reading of archival topics related to a particular person, event or theme from cultural and public life, such as Christo and Jeanne-Claude,” Valchev said. He added that some LIK issues are now published in foreign languages, with editions in eight languages in all: Bulgarian, English, Spanish, German, Romanian, Turkish, French and Japanese. “The fact that LIK magazine now ‘speaks’ foreign languages gives Bulgaria an opportunity to freely present the image of its culture, including through presentations of the magazine itself, such as this one in Paris,” Valchev said. He said media such as LIK carry out an even greater mission than the immediate presentation of culture today: they preserve its memory for tomorrow. Valchev recalled a statement by Christo, who said of works such as Pont Neuf Wrapped in Paris that it takes far greater courage to create things that will disappear than things that will remain. “But thanks to the media, memory for tomorrow is preserved not only of art such as that of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, which is temporary, but also of humanity’s intangible heritage,” Valchev said. He said this memory shows that even under totalitarian rule, division and isolation, the Bulgarian people produced free individuals. That significance should be well understood in France, where people have more than once been divided by barricades, one of which Christo also represented on Rue Visconti in 1962, a year after the Berlin Wall was built. “Christo was not only born in the Bulgarian city of Gabrovo 90 years ago, on June 13, 1935, but was also raised and educated in Bulgaria. This is not grounds for chest-thumping patriotism, but for a humble recognition that the talent capable of creating universal art can be born anywhere, including in Bulgaria. After attending schools in Gabrovo and Plovdiv, he enrolled in 1952 at the National Academy of Art, then the Nikolay Pavlovich Higher Institute of Fine Arts, in Sofia. He emigrated from there exactly 70 years ago, in 1956, first to Prague, then to Geneva and, from 1958, to Paris, where he met Jeanne-Claude, who was born on the same day as him and with whom he began making art,” Valchev said. He said it was paradoxical that the encounter between the free spirit in Christo’s family and the stifling restrictions of communist society gave the young Bulgarian an upbringing and education that enabled him to cross boundaries, not only in life but also in art. “Events such as this one in Paris, where Bulgarians show how they preserve the memory of their distinguished compatriots, are important. Special thanks for hosting the event go to the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Paris, the Ministry of Culture and BCI Director Bineva personally, and to the Bulgarian Embassy in Paris and Ambassador Radka Balabanova-Ruleva personally,” Valchev said. He added that the square near Pont Neuf in Paris named after Christo makes it one of the “Bulgarian places around the world”. BTA’s LIK magazine issue Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity was published in three translated editions: English, German and French. The French edition was published with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Air Transport, Sts Constantine and Helena Holding, and INORCOAT. Since January 2024, LIK magazine has been freely accessible. All issues published since its revival in 2022 can be downloaded in electronic format from BTA’s website. The French issue on Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity is also available on BTA’s website. Culture Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150529-exhibition-of-selected-works-from-international-biennale-of-glass-opens-at-sofia https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150529-exhibition-of-selected-works-from-international-biennale-of-glass-opens-at-sofia Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:14:10 +0300 An exhibition featuring selected works from the collection of the International Biennale of Glass opened on Thursday evening at the Sredets Gallery, part of the Ministry of Culture. The exhibition showcases the latest additions to the biennale’s collection, as well as donated works from previous editions, which are being displayed for the first time since their participation in the event. Lyubomira Valcheva-Nundloll, executive director and co-organizer of the International Biennale of Glass in Bulgaria and curator of the exhibition, recalled that it was founded in 2017 by Konstantin Valchev. According to her, the event has gradually established itself as an international platform for the exchange of ideas among artists from different countries and has amassed a significant collection of works. Part of this collection is now housed at the Gabensky Gallery in Tryavna, thanks to a partnership with the "13 Centuries of Bulgaria" National Endowment Fund. She emphasized that the biennale’s success is the result of the efforts of numerous institutions and partners and thanked the supporters and students who participated in the project’s implementation. Kosara Konstantinova, also a curator of the exhibition, noted that it is the result of the biennale’s long-standing work with Bulgarian and international artists. In her words, the exhibition is the result of the communication and dialogue that the forum fosters among artists, as well as relationships based on trust, support, and mutual respect. The International Biennale of Glass was established in 2017 at the initiative of artist Konstantin Valchev, a student of Prof. Stanislav Libensky and founder of the Glass Art Atelier at New Bulgarian University. The forum aims to establish Bulgaria as a venue for international dialogue in the field of artistic glass and to encourage exchange among different generations of artists, schools, and artistic practices. The exhibition presents the evolution of the collection and bears witness to the international community of artists that has formed over the years, united by the idea of collaboration and a shared creative vision. Culture Risida Dimitrova Vanya Suharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150424-bulgaria-elected-member-of-unesco-intergovernmental-committee-for-safeguarding-o https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150424-bulgaria-elected-member-of-unesco-intergovernmental-committee-for-safeguarding-o Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:08:38 +0300 The General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, supported by a large majority the election of Bulgaria as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026–2030 term, the Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday. The vote took place on Wednesday in Paris during the 11th session of the General Assembly, with Bulgaria receiving the highest number of votes among the candidates from its regional group. The Foreign Ministry notes that Bulgaria has traditionally been among the active participants in UNESCO’s activities. Thanks to the country’s consistent efforts, a number of Bulgarian sites have been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Bulgaria is also home to the Regional Centre for safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage in South East Europe under the auspices of UNESCO. Bulgaria’s election to the Committee in 2026 confirms the country’s contribution to the Organization’s activities and lends additional significance to the 70th anniversary of Bulgaria’s membership in UNESCO, the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the protection of the underwater cultural heritage, and the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria’s ratification of the Convention for safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, according to the Foreign Ministry’s press release. Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev took part in the 11th session of the General Assembly. In his address to the forum, he highlighted the country’s contribution to UNESCO’s work and commitment to being an active and constructive member of the Committee. During his visit to UNESCO headquarters, Miloshev met with Director-General Khaled El-Enany. On behalf of Prime Minister Rumen Radev, he presented him with an official invitation to visit Bulgaria to mark the 70th anniversary of the country’s membership in the global organization. Culture Risida Dimitrova Konstantin Kostov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150452-bulgaria-faces-deepening-education-disparities-minister-warns https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150452-bulgaria-faces-deepening-education-disparities-minister-warns Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:59:00 +0300 Education Minister Georgi Valchev on Thursday warned of widening disparities across Bulgaria's education system, describing the growing gap between high-performing schools and those failing to provide adequate preparation as one of the sector's most serious challenges. Speaking at the National Meeting of Local and Central Executive Authorities in Sofia, Valchev said that despite education being declared a priority by successive governments and receiving substantial funding through national and European programmes, significant problems persist at all levels of education, from preschool to secondary school. He added that higher education also faces challenges, though less severe ones. The minister highlighted regional inequalities as a major concern, arguing that children across the country do not enjoy equal educational opportunities. In the context of Bulgaria's demographic crisis, he said, the quality of human capital has become a key consideration for investors and is closely linked to the performance of the education system. Valchev said the government's priority is to raise the overall quality of education, starting with a more accurate assessment of the system's condition. He criticized practices that obscure problems and insisted that students should not be promoted to higher grades without the necessary knowledge and skills. “We cannot continue in this way, masking the problems,” Valchev said, adding that the government would work with municipalities to test different solutions and expand successful approaches. Among the key priorities outlined by the minister was restoring what he described as the "lost connection" between families and schools. Valchev argued that parents should be viewed as partners rather than customers of the education system and warned that reforms would have limited impact unless families become more actively engaged in children's learning. He also pointed to the growing phenomenon of "absent families", where parents work abroad for extended periods, leaving children without sufficient support at home. According to Valchev, new mechanisms are needed to address this challenge and help students progress successfully through the education system. Another priority for the government is reforming the teaching model to make education more relevant and engaging. Valchev said schools should move away from an approach based on memorizing information that students quickly forget and instead focus on helping children understand the practical value of learning. The minister also called for stronger cooperation with businesses in vocational education, saying employers must play a more active role in dual-training programmes if skills shortages are to be addressed effectively. Valchev announced plans to meet with regional education authorities, municipalities and schools to identify both successful practices and persistent challenges. He said particular attention would be given to small schools, stressing that they should be supported rather than closed.  Culture Nikolay Trifonov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150058-artist-ekaterina-ina-stoycheva-shows-stained-glass-fusing-in-new-exhibition https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1150058-artist-ekaterina-ina-stoycheva-shows-stained-glass-fusing-in-new-exhibition Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:23:04 +0300 Stained glass and fusing artworks will be presented in the exhibition "The Will of Glass" by artist and designer Ekaterina "Ina" Stoycheva. The event will be unveiled at Art Gallery 158 in Sofia at 7:00 p.m. on June 30 and will be on display until July 6, Mina Glass Art reported on Thursday. Visitors will be able to see glass objects, mirrors with designer frames and decorative interior solutions. According to the author, the exhibition is conceived as an encounter with "the charm of glass and living art in the interior". According to the organizers of the event, Ekaterina "Ina" Stoycheva works mainly in the fields of interior and product design. In her creative practice, she combines artistic and functional solutions aimed at integrating art into the everyday environment. Her works include mirrors, lighting fixtures, wall clocks, glass panels and paintings, decorative tiles, interior doors, furniture elements and household utensils. According to Stoycheva, glass is taking an increasingly important place in contemporary interiors, combining aesthetic value and practical function. Culture Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1149779-lik-magazine-s-french-language-edition-of-christo-and-jeanne-claude-at-90-in-et https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1149779-lik-magazine-s-french-language-edition-of-christo-and-jeanne-claude-at-90-in-et Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:55:00 +0300 The French-language edition of BTA's LIK magazine, "Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity", will be presented at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute (BCI) in Paris on Thursday. The evening dedicated to "The Bulgarian Image of Christo" will revisit interviews with Christo Javacheff by journalists Evgenia Atanasova-Teneva, Daniel Nenchev and Assoc. Prof. Georgi Lozanov. Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev and Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation Director Vladimir Yavachev will be special guests. The French-language edition will be presented by Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev. Desislava Bineva, Director of BCI in Paris, will host the event. The event is taking place during La Caverne du Pont Neuf ("The Cave of Pont Neuf"), an art installation in Paris by French artist JR, which pays tribute to the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The installation is also inspired by their 1985 project The Pont Neuf Wrapped. The 90th anniversary of the births of Christo and his wife, Jeanne-Claude, was marked on June 13, 2025. That year also saw three major anniversaries related to their work: the 40th anniversary of The Pont Neuf Wrapped in Paris, the 30th anniversary of the wrapping of the Reichstag in Berlin, and the 20th anniversary of The Gates installation in New York. To mark these anniversaries, LIK, BTA’s magazine dedicated to literature, art and culture, devoted its June issue to the two artists. The Bulgarian-language edition was premiered on June 25 at the newly established Christo and Jeanne-Claude Centre in Gabrovo, the birthplace of Christo Vladimirov Javacheff (1935-2020). Guests from BTA's MaxiM Hall in Sofia, as well as from the news agency's press clubs in Bulgaria and abroad, joined the event via video link. The LIK issue "Christo and Jeanne-Claude at 90 in Eternity" was published in English, German and French. The publication of the French-language edition was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Air Transport Ltd., Sts Constantine and Helena Holding AD and INORCOAT. The German-language edition was presented on December 8, 2025 at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Berlin, during an event marking the 90th anniversaries of the births of Christo Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude, as well as the 30th anniversary of the wrapping of the Reichstag by the artistic duo. The event, a joint initiative of BCI in Berlin, BTA and the National Gallery, also featured the latter's exhibition "Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin (1971-1995)". Special guests at the event included Culture Minister Marian Bachev, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, and National Gallery Director Aneliya Nikolaeva. All LIK magazine issues are available free of charge on BTA's website. Culture Diana Dukovska Yanitsa Hristova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1149712-bulgarian-national-radio-honours-bulgarian-ambassadors-of-culture-for-2025 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1149712-bulgarian-national-radio-honours-bulgarian-ambassadors-of-culture-for-2025 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:54:44 +0300 The Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) honoured the “Bulgarian Cultural Ambassadors” for 2025 in the campaign of the same name. The awards were presented at a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum on Wednesday evening, with the event held under the auspices of President Iliana Iotova. BNR Director General Milen Mitev pointed out that the initiative was created in 2021 at the suggestion of journalist Nina Tsaneva. According to him, culture is of particular importance for building Bulgaria's image around the world. Among this year's honourees was Nadezhda Dzhakova, Commissioner of the Bulgarian participation in the Venice Biennale. The award was presented to her by Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Petrova. The Chief Conductor of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and Head of the Guards Representative Brass Band, Lieutenant Colonel Radi Radev, was honoured for his contribution to musical culture. He received his award from Katerina Gramatikova, Deputy Minister of Defence.  Among the award winners was also Mimoza Hasani-Pllana from the University of Pristina, who worked to promote the Bulgarian language and culture in Kosovo. The statuette was presented to her by Bulgarian Academy of Sciences full member Nikolay Vitanov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science.  Sculptor Ivan Kanchev, who has represented Bulgaria at prestigious international contemporary art forums, also received an award. The award was presented by Daniel Spasov from Bulgarian National Radio's Board of Directors. The youngest Bulgarian ambassador of culture was Darina Yotova - Dara, due to her success at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Due to an engagement in Greece, she participated with a video message. On her behalf, the statuette was received by Boris Nikolov from Virginia Records. It was presented by the Director of the LIK Directorate at the Bulgarian News Agency, Antoaneta Markova. She described the initiative as "the most democratic choice of Bulgarian ambassadors," as the nominations come from the listeners of the Bulgarian National Radio. Professor Anton Andonov, a choreographer and teacher who promotes Bulgarian folklore among Bulgarian communities abroad, also received an award. Due to commitments abroad, he was not present in the hall, so Council for Electronic Media Chair Gabriela Naplatanova gave the award to Lyutvie Gencheva from the international folklore formation "Mladost na Megdana". For the first time, the jury also presented a special award. It was awarded to musician and teacher Tsvetina Gramova for her contribution to the preservation and popularization of Bulgarian folklore. The winners of the awards were selected by a seven-member jury from various institutions. The jury of this year's "Bulgarian Ambassadors of Culture" campaign includes Deputy Minister of Culture Marina Vasileva, Secretary for Culture, Education and Relations with Bulgarians Abroad to the President of the Republic Milena Dimitrova, Director of the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs Yavor Koynakov, Executive Director of the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad Raina Mandzhukova, Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency Kiril Valchev, host of the BNT program "Kultura.bg" Dimitar Stoyanovich and Daniel Spasov, member of the Management Board of the Bulgarian National Radio. The awardees received statuettes made by sculptor Rainis Gelov. Culture Atanas Malakchiev Vanya Suharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1149277-bulgaria-presented-in-foreign-language-popularization-initiative-within-madrid-b https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1149277-bulgaria-presented-in-foreign-language-popularization-initiative-within-madrid-b Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:56:00 +0300 Bulgaria was presented within the Discover Europe Through Its Languages initiative of the European Commission Representation and the European Union National Institutes of Culture, held during the Madrid Book Fair. Guests had the opportunity to interpret for several minutes from their native or another language into Spanish inside an interpretation booth, the Bulgarian Embassy in Spain said on its website Wednesday.  The initiative presented the Bulgarian, Hungarian, French, Romanian, Finnish, and Polish languages.  Bulgaria was represented at the event by Boris Katsamunski, head of Cultural and Educational Affairs at the Bulgarian Embassy in Madrid. Together with Iva Stoyanova, a representative of the Bulgarian community in the Spanish capital, he led a discussion on tourism opportunities in Bulgaria. Simultaneous interpretation of the presentation was provided by Lachezar Davidkov, a student at the Sv. Ivan Rilski First Bulgarian Sunday School in Madrid. The presentation on Bulgaria was accompanied by a video showcasing the country’s natural, cultural, and tourist attractions. Culture Dimitrina Solakova Rumena Mladenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1148967-bulgarian-writer-georgi-gospodinov-meets-with-readers-in-athens https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1148967-bulgarian-writer-georgi-gospodinov-meets-with-readers-in-athens Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:21:20 +0300 Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov met with readers at a literary event in Athens on Tuesday evening. The event took place in Megaron's Dimitris Mitropoulos Hall and was part of the Writers, Books, Ideas series, organized in cooperation with the Hellenic Foundation for Books and Culture. Gospodinov spoke with Greek journalist Kyriaki Beioglou about his latest novel, Death and the Gardener, published in 2024 and recently released in Greek in a translation by Alexandra Ioannidou. The discussion focused on themes of memory, loss, family, and the connection between generations, which the author described as central to the book. The writer also reflected on his creative journey and the role of literature in the modern world. Following the conversation, he took questions from members of the audience. Among those attending was Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Greece Valentin Poryazov. The discussion was interpreted by Gencho Banev, lecturer in Bulgarian language, literature, and culture at the University of Athens. After the event, readers queued up for more than an hour to have their books signed and speak with Gospodinov. Gospodinov is one of the most widely translated contemporary Bulgarian writers. His works, including Natural Novel, The Physics of Sorrow, and Time Shelter, have been published in dozens of languages. In 2023, Gospodinov and translator Angela Rodel won the International Booker Prize for the English edition of Time Shelter. Balkans BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov Yoana Vodenicharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1148570-council-for-electronic-media-chair-says-reuters-report-is-indicative-of-bulgaria https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1148570-council-for-electronic-media-chair-says-reuters-report-is-indicative-of-bulgaria Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:10:12 +0300 Council for Electronic Media (CEM) Chair Gabriela Naplatanova said Tuesday on Facebook that the results of Reuters Institute's Digital News Report 2026 are indicative of the media peculiarities in Bulgaria. She underscored that Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) has the highest level of public trust in the country (56%). The Bulgarian National Television (BNT) is perceived as a reliable source of information by 55% of the audience. Naplatanova noted that recently carried out research by CEM reaches similar conclusions. According to CEM's Chairperson, the influence of political instability, followed by the protests which caused snap parliamentary elections, is a factor emerging in the report. It also notes that Bulgaria delays amending its legislation in compliance with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), wrote Naplatanova. and added that the Culture Ministry called an operating unit to prepare draft amendments to the Radio and Television Act. She expressed hope that an effective working process will proceed. The report lists numerous cases of offence against journalists and media freedom which gained public attention. Naplatanova highlighted the slight decline in the number of Bulgarians who actively avoid the news as positive indicator but stressed the overall prevalence of disinterest among the audience. She emphasized that social media and video platforms are pulling ahead of conventional media, such as television and news reporting websites. The 15th annual Digital News Report by Reuters Institute notes an increasing role of social media, influencers, content creators and artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming information environment. According to the report's authors, the worldwide observed decrease in media trust indicates institutional vulnerability which reflects political, social and technological changes. The report is based on data from a total of 100,000 respondents and it is among the wide-reaching global research aiming at analyzing media habits and trust in news, according to Reuters' team experts. Culture Yoana Kancheva