The International Photographic Exhibition “National Dress: A Source of Pride and Heritage” Opened in Burgas
On September 4, the International Photographic Exhibition “National Dress: A Source of Pride and Heritage” was opened at the Historical Museum of Burgas, organized by the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Regional Historical Museum – Burgas and with the support of the Municipality of Burgas.
The official event was honored by the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bulgaria, H.E. Fahad Bin Ibrahim Al-Mushayri. Among the official guests were the Director of the State Institute for Culture, Ms. Snezhana Yoveva, H.E. Dimitar Mihaylov – Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Mayor of Burgas Municipality, Ms. Diana Savateva, and the Director of Regional Historical Museum – Burgas, Dr. Milen Nikolov.
“National dress is not only an expression of cultural memory, but also a bridge between the past and the present. With this exhibition, we aim to show the richness and diversity of traditions and to encourage deeper understanding between peoples,” emphasised Ms. Yoveva in her welcome address.
The exhibition includes photographs of traditional costumes from 17 member countries of the international public diplomacy network GPDNet. Among them are four artistic photographs of Bulgarian folk costumes, provided by the collection of Svetoslav Petrov, taken by photographer Petya Dobreva and included with the assistance of Ani Yoveva, curator at the Historical Museum - Samokov.
The premiere of the exhibition took place during the 9th General Assembly of GPDNet in Doha, Qatar in May 2024, and it is visiting Bulgaria for the second time. Its first presentation was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sofia as part of the accompanying program to the International Conference "Cultural Diplomacy and the Balkans - Achievements and Challenges in the Modern Era", organized by the Institute of Balkan Studies with a Center for Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, which took place on October 23, 2024.
The International Public Diplomacy Network GPDNet was established in 2014 in Seoul as a global platform for cultural and academic exchange. Today, it unites 29 member countries. Bulgaria became part of the organisation in 2021, and the Qatar Foundation in Doha currently holds the rotating presidency.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors at the Historical Museum - Burgas until the end of October 2025 and offers an opportunity to experience the beauty and symbolism of national clothing as a source of pride and heritage.