Photo by David Olsan
His Excellency Lyubomir Kyuchukov receives a portrait - photo etching made by Valeriya Nyamtsova-Georgieva as a gift from the artists involved in the show.
The art exhibition Bulgaria in Our Eyes opens on June 16, 2011 in the Sofia Gallery at the Bulgarian Embassy in London. It features works by students and staff from the Fine Arts Department at the University of East London. The exhibition is the first-ever joint project between students of the university and the Bulgarian Embassy, and has provided the inspiration for a series of exhibitions to be held in diplomatic missions in London under the title '
The World in Our Eyes'.
The initiator and curator of the project is the Bulgarian artist Valeriya Nyamtsova - Georgieva, a student at the University of East London, which is why the first exhibition came to be in the Bulgarian Embassy.The exhibition '
Bulgaria in Our Eyes' features over 30 specially prepared artworks inspired by the history and culture of Bulgaria. Subjects that inspired the artists include the Bulgarian rose, Bulgarian traditions and folklore, popular Bulgarian personalities and attractions, Bulgarian banknotes and the National Anthem. The participating artists are 26 fine art students and 5 tutors from University of East London, who studied for months creating works especially for the exhibition, on the subject - Bulgaria. This is the first time that these reknownd artists have produced works on this subject and exhibited with students, who were praised for the project.
Photo by David Olsan
His Excellency Lyubomir Kyuchukov with Valeriya Nyamtsova-Georgieva (organiser and curator) and Lyubomir Zahariev (Uel student, Animation, participating artist)
The picture in the background (Hayduti, by Carolina Piteira - Fine Art UEL student from Portugal) helped bring Valeriya and Lyubomir (two bulgarians that didn't know each other before) into contact at UEL when he saw the picture being photographed for the exhibition and started to discuss the project with the organisers.
Photo by David Olsan
Valeriya explaining to the Ambassador how every work exhibited is connected with Bulgaria.
In his speech to the guests attending the opening night Ambassador Lubomir Kyuchukov stressed that the exhibition is proof of the unifying power of art which knows no boundaries and creates bridges between different cultures.
The exhibition created keen interest. There were numerous guests present, including representatives of cultural and academic circles, connoisseurs of art, and friends of Bulgaria. They all welcomed the exhibition with its focus on dignity and the undoubted talent of the participating artists.
http://www.twioe.blogspot.com/The Cultural Centre at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bulgaria wrote an article about the event.
http://sic.mfa.government.bg/?act=news&do=detailed&id=324Diplomate Magazine, magazine just for foreign Embassies in London published our photo and article about '
Bulgaria in Our Eyes' in his July - August brochure.
Two Bulgarian newspapers - 'Будилник' and DNES published articles too.
Special Thanks for the very big help to the Co-founders of 'The World in Our Eyes' Philippa Edwards and Julie North!
