The Exhibition "Return" Gathered Art Lovers at the "Mission" Gallery
On November 20, at 6:00 p.m., the collective exhibition "Return" was opened at the "Mission" gallery of the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The event marked 20 years since the establishment of the plein air "Touching the Mountain of Orpheus" and attracted wide public and professional interest.
A special guest at the opening was H.E. Vasil Grivna - Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Bulgaria, and among the attendees were diplomats, representatives of cultural circles and teachers from the National Academy of Arts. The program was enriched by a special musical performance by the "Elitsi" choir, which contributed to the solemn atmosphere.
In her welcome address, the Director of the State Institute for Culture, Ms. Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, emphasized the significance of the exhibition in the context of the 20th anniversary of the institute: “The exhibition “Return” is not only a celebration of creativity, but also a reminder of the deep human connection between memory, roots, and art.”
The curator of the exhibition was Mr. Yavor Kondov from the National Academy of Arts. He presented the exhibition as a kind of bridge between generations of artists who worked in the plein air: “The idea of “Return” was to gather in one space the different perspectives and feelings of artists associated with the plein air over the years.”
The exhibition featured four artists – Valeri Valdits, Alexander Tsvetkov, Katalina Vasileva and Iva Dankova, who presented works in the fields of painting, graphics and sculpture. Their works reveal both their individual artistic style and the common inspiration associated with the Rhodope Mountains.
The plein air “Touching the Mountain of Orpheus”, initiated by the artist Valeri Tsvetkov – Valdits, has over the years established itself as a significant event for the artistic life in Smolyan and the region, attracting established artists and young talents, including children deprived of parental care.
The exhibition “Return” is part of the initiatives with which the State Institute for Culture celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025, emphasizing the role of culture as a tool for dialogue and cooperation.
The exhibition will be open for visit until January 30, 2026, every weekday between 10:00 and 17:00 at the “Mission” gallery.
Photographs: Georgy Voutov, Victor Georgiev, Yavor Kondov