Screening of the Film “Flying with Flippers” about Alzek Misheff at the National Academy of Art
On November 11, 2025, the “Akademiya” Gallery at the National Academy of Art hosted a screening of the documentary film “Flying with Flippers”, dedicated to the life and creative path of artist Alzek Misheff, Doctor Honoris Causa of the Academy. The event was held simultaneously at the Academy’s Burgas Branch, where students also had the opportunity to watch the film and take part in the subsequent discussion.
The screening was organized on the occasion of the Month of the National Enlighteners and the festive days of November 1 – Day of the National Enlighteners, and November 3 – Patron’s Day of the National Academy of Art and Day of St. Pimen Zografski, within the framework of the strategic partnership between the National Academy of Art and the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The “Akademiya” Gallery was filled with students, lecturers, and guests, including Prof. Georgi Yankov, Rector of the National Academy of Art, Ms. Snezhana Yoveva, Director of the State Institute for Culture under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Maria Averina, the film’s director. Among the audience were also fourth-year students from New Bulgarian University, accompanied by their lecturer Angela Georgieva, who actively took part in the discussion following the screening.
After the film presentation, the audience had the opportunity to ask questions to Maestro Alzek Misheff, who joined the event online from Italy.
Visitors were also able to see the emblematic painting “The Swimmer”, donated by the artist during the ceremony awarding him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Academy. The ceremony took place on May 11, 2025, the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, in the Italian town of Acqui Terme – home to Alzek Misheff for the past three decades.
The documentary “Flying with Flippers” was distinguished with the Best Bulgarian Documentary Film Award at the Master of Art Festival (2023), supported by the State Institute for Culture. The film traces Alzek Mishev’s remarkable journey – from his early years and studies at the Academy, through his emigration to Italy in 1971, to his establishment as one of the leading figures of the European avant-garde. It also depicts his return to Bulgaria after five decades abroad and his significant contribution to the development and promotion of contemporary visual art.
Alzek Mishev is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Golden Age Award of the Ministry of Culture, an Honorary Diploma from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Annual “Revived Heritage” Award of the Institute of Art Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, as well as the titles Honorary Citizen of Dupnitsa and Honorary Citizen of Acqui Terme.
The event at the National Academy of Art once again highlighted the importance of the collaboration between the State Institute for Culture under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Academy of Art in promoting Bulgarian culture and spirituality both in the country and abroad.