The history of Bulgarian illustrated books for kids is highlighted at an exhibition in the main building of the Kazanlak Art Gallery in the central Bulgarian town. The publications featured in the show are by Bulgarian authors and illustrators, with the exception of books illustrated by Vadim Lazarkevich, who had Ukrainian roots, curator Albena Limoni told BTA. She said that Lazarkevich had a strong influence on the Bulgarian illustration scene.
The exhibition is titled Magic Between the Pages: The Journey of the Bulgarian Illustrated Children’s Book. The oldest item on display is the Zvezditsa magazine from 1893, one of the oldest children’s publications in Bulgaria. According to the curator, what makes it particularly interesting, apart from its age, is that the magazine dates from a period when children were beginning to be regarded as a distinct audience with their own needs. “There was a growing recognition that they should be seen as independent readers and consumers of culture,” Limoni said.
The illustrations in Zvezditsa were not created by Bulgarian artists but used printing blocks. Limoni also highlighted another interesting item from the magazine: the so-called “trial issue” from 1906, which was the first to feature an original artistic approach to cover design. Its editor-in-chief was Nikola Belovezhdov, who had taken part in the 1876 April Uprising of the Bulgarians against Ottoman rule.
The exhibition features books illustrated by Iliya Beshkov, Nikola and Neva Tusuzov, Tonya Goranova, Viktor Paunov, Elena Zhablyanova, Mila Yaneva-Tabakova and many others.
Limoni noted that children’s books have undergone many changes over the years. “A book for kids is a synthesis of different elements, encompassing the approach to text, illustration, lettering, paper and the book as a physical object,” the curator noted. She said that today there are many printing houses and technologies capable of making a children’s book extremely attractive and visually striking.
“On the other hand, in the past, an artist could draw letters and illustrate the book, playing with the storyline in the process. This combination is now rather rare. Today’s artists do not have the same relationship with lettering, and I would say that is something I miss,” she said. The curator noted that in the past, artists created the entire book, whereas today some stages of the process are often handled more superficially, and the space within a book does not always come fully to life.
Another highlight of the show is a mock-up by Yana Levieva, presented as part of her degree examination. It is the unpublished book Quiet, illustrated by Levieva in 1993 and based on a poem by Boris Hristov. The poet has lent the work to the exhibition.
According to Limoni, the approach to periodicals in the communist era is also worth exploring, including issues of the children’s magazine Slaveyche, which was published from the 1950s until the early 2000s. The exhibition traces the magazine’s development over the years and showcases the work of numerous authors and illustrators who contributed to it. “I think these publications are very inspiring for a child,” Limoni said, adding that she believes the quality of contemporary children’s magazines is considerably lower.
She said one of the exhibition’s main aims is to show children that books can take many different forms. By reading the texts, visitors will encounter a wide variety of content and book formats, she noted, adding that there once was a much greater diversity of formats. Small books, which are no longer published today, were once very widespread.
The publications on display were painstakingly collected by an association called Illustration Station, with some provided by publishing houses and proving particularly difficult to find, the curator said. The exhibition, supported by the National Culture Fund, the Sofia Municipality Culture Programme and the America for Bulgaria Foundation, has previously been shown at the Credo Bonum Gallery in Sofia and the Sredets Gallery at the Ministry of Culture.
The exhibition will remain in Kazanlak until December 7. In addition to viewing the publications, visitors can listen to selected children’s fairy tales played from vinyl records.
Exhibition Highlighting History of Bulgarian Illustrated Children’s Books Held in Kazanlak THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-19 09:27:00
Monument to Renowned Winter Sports Official Stefan Chaprashikov Unveiled in Dupnitsa
Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Culture news Bulgaria, Bulgarian culture news, Bulgaria cultural news, latest culture news, breaking culture news, Bulgarian arts news, Bulgarian cultural events. Bulgarian artists, Bulgarian art, Bulgarian literature, Bulgarian books, Bulgarian writers, Bulgarian authors, Bulgarian music, Bulgarian musicians. Bulgarian cinema, Bulgarian films, Bulgarian theatre, Bulgarian actors, Bulgarian directors, Bulgarian festivals, cultural festivals Bulgaria. Bulgarian museums, Bulgarian galleries, Bulgarian heritage, Bulgarian traditions, Bulgarian folklore, Bulgarian history, Bulgarian archaeology. Sofia culture, Plovdiv culture, Varna culture, Burgas culture, Ruse culture, Bulgarian cultural heritage, Bulgaria UNESCO heritage. Bulgarian exhibitions, Bulgarian concerts, Bulgarian performances, Bulgarian cultural institutions, Bulgarian national culture, contemporary Bulgarian art, Bulgarian creative industries. Bulgaria cultural events, Bulgarian cultural news, Bulgarian entertainment news, Bulgaria arts and culture, Bulgarian cultural tourism, Bulgarian historical sites, Bulgarian landmarks.
BULGARIA NEWS – NEWS AGENCY 2009–2026 2026-10-19 09:27:00
Leave a Comment