INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION ON THE OCCASION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA TO THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF FRANCOPHONIE
On March 21, in the "Mission" gallery at the State Cultural Institute, the collective international exhibition "Directions" was opened.
The event was part of the program to mark the 30th anniversary of the full membership of the Republic of Bulgaria in the International Organization of La Francophonie, which is being held under the patronage of Vice President Iliana Yotova. It was carried out on a joint initiative of the State Cultural Institute, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the "Soley" foundation, in partnership with the Sofia University "Saint Kliment Ohridski" and the Association of French language teachers. His host was the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Milkov.
The exhibition included works by artists from various Francophone countries who participated in the last eight years in the International Plein Airs, organized by the Soleil Foundation, within the International Francophone Festival of the same name, which is held annually in Sozopol.
The opening of the exhibition was accompanied by a recital by students and pupils who presented excerpts in French from literary works by authors from various Francophone countries.
Vice President Iliyana Yotova, Director of the State Cultural Institute Snezhana Joveva, Project Curator and Chairwoman of the "Soley" Foundation Alexandrina Isailova and National Francophonie Correspondent Emmanuela Tomova gave greetings. Vice-President Iliyana Yotova noted that "for 30 years, with unabated speed and persistence, Bulgaria has been on its way as a full member of the International Organization of Francophonie. As an international organization, La Francophonie provides unparalleled opportunities for cooperation and partnership, uncovering potential and seeking common solutions in a recently quite complex world. There should be a dialogue between more countries, societies and people so that we can overcome the crises together.'' In this context, she also highlighted the active role of the State Cultural Institute in a number of projects in the field of cultural diplomacy.
The event was attended by many guests, including representatives of francophone structures in Bulgaria, diplomats, artists, gallerists, curators, journalists, as well as artists from Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia, etc.
The exhibition can be visited until April 18, 2023. It includes works by Rada Tsankova, Gredi Assa, Marieta Konova, Raina Stoymirova, Albena Shteniovska – Egloff, Mihail Beshev and Momchil Mirchev - (Bulgaria); Ivo Petsov, Simonida Katanovska, Marian Dzin (Republic of North Macedonia); Anna Kornerup Bank, Yves Gobar, Gocche Delagrange, Clément Bonville - (France); Sofia Tatarashvili, Elene Melkadze, Ketevan Davlanidze - (Georgia); Emi Behari, Erald Nezai, Besiana Manala - (Albania); Ferenc Zoltan, Matei Lazard, Sofia Ovezhan - (Romania); Ioannis Sarsakis and Ioannis Kampasakalis - (Greece).