The Exhibition “Ancient Treasures of Bulgaria” Gathered a Large Audience in Prague
The gallery at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Prague was filled with many guests during the opening of the documentary exhibition "Ancient treasures of Bulgaria", specially translated into Czech. Official guests of the opening were H.E. Dancho Michev, Ambassador of Bulgaria to the Czech Republic, the Consul of Turkey in Prague Mr. Vulkan, Czech guests and compatriots. The exhibition was prepared by a team of the Institute of Balkan Studies with the Center for Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences as part of the National Scientific Program "Development and Promotion of Bulgarian Studies Abroad". The events are implemented in the programs of Bulgarian diplomatic missions and cultural institutes in partnership with the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The Director of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Prague, Mr. Volodya Gotsev, opened the exhibition and emphasized the excellent partnership and the role of such initiatives in promoting the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage. The Director of the State Institute for Culture, Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, and the main coordinator of the project, Dr. Alexandra Milanova from the Institute of Balkan Studies with the Center for Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, presented the exhibition and its successful visit to a number of places around the world, such as London, Warsaw, Paris, Stockholm, Mexico City, Brazzaville, Lagos, and many others. Dr. Milanova pointed out curious facts about the treasures displayed in the exhibition, such as the oldest processed gold in the world, discovered in the Varna Chalcolithic necropolis, the peculiarities of the Panagyurishte treasure, displayed in some of the most famous museums in the world, etc., which intrigued the visitors.
The exhibition includes 26 panels that present photographs of rare and valuable artifacts – gold and silver objects, jewelry, weapons and other historical finds discovered on the territory of modern Bulgaria. Among them are masterpieces from the world-famous Panagyurishte treasure, as well as unique finds from the Varna Chalcolithic necropolis (5th millennium BC), the Borovo, Valchitran and Letnishka treasures. Many of the artifacts, which tell about the cultural significance of the ancient Bulgarian lands, impress with their complex ornamentation and exquisite style. Each of these objects is not only a testament to high artistic craftsmanship, but also to the deep significance they carry in the context of Bulgarian and world history.
The exhibition is on display at the BKI-Prague until February 28.