Balgarianovinite.com An exhibition of paintings depicting 12 monasteries on Mount Athos and the Rila Monastery opened at San Stefano Gallery in Sofia on Monday. Titled Fortresses of Faith, the show features works by Vasil Goranov and is accompanied by a deluxe album blessed by Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil.
Among those attending were President Rumen Radev, Secretary General of the Holy Synod Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Ivan Granitski, Vassil Gyuzelev and Georgi Markov. Gyuzelev and Markov co-authored the album’s texts and commentary with Ivan Marazov.
Radev congratulated Goranov on his ambition, talent and dedication. He also shared impressions from his visit to the Zograf Monastery and spoke about the paintings that decorate his office.
“I would be glad if the next Bulgarian president also has a painting by Mr Goranov in his office,” Radev said.
Granitski said the exhibition aimed to show how faith could protect society from nihilism and a loss of roots.
“We believe that in such turning points, when faith and statehood are shaken, we must remember that faith is a shield,” he said, quoting writer Dimitar Talev.
Gyuzelev recalled historical themes linked to the survival of the monasteries on Mount Athos and the Rila Monastery during Ottoman rule. He also spoke about Bulgarian princess Elena, also known as nun Elisaveta, sister of Tsar Ivan Alexander and wife of Tsar Stefan Dushan, who stayed at the Hilandar Monastery during the plague epidemic in 1340.
In his speech, Markov pointed to the role of community centres alongside churches in the spiritual life of Bulgarians in the years before the Bulgarian National Revival.
“At the beginning of freedom are faith, education and enlightenment,” he added.
“Art is a tool that can direct society’s attention to the fundamental values of Christianity,” Goranov told guests at the opening.
The exhibition runs until December 20.
Born in 1972, Goranov earned a degree in painting from St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, studying under Nikolay Ruschukliev. Based in Sofia, he has held numerous exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad. Fortresses of Faith Exhibition Opens in Sofia 2025 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2025-12-15 22:36:14 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
