The Mission Gallery will be part of the European Night of Museums 2026
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On Saturday 23rd May between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., the Mission Gallery at the State Institute for Culture to the Minister of Foreign Affairs has the pleasure to partake in the twenty-second edition of the European Night of Museums. The event is organized by the French Institute in Bulgaria in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sofia Municipality.
The European Night of Museums began at the initiative of the Ministry of Culture of France in 2005 and, over the course of two decades, has established itself as a sustainable practice in many European countries. It is held under the patronage of the Council of Europe and UNESCO and brings together thousands of cultural institutions in over 30 countries across Europe. In Bulgaria, numerous governmental and state institutions, private galleries and creative spaces actively participate.
In the words of this year’s organisers, “what happens in museums doesn’t stay in museums,” as culture and art change once present a new outlook and invite us to think and dream differently. The main idea behind the initiative is to open landmark museums, galleries and buildings at unusual hours, and to transform them into vibrant spaces for dialogue, inspiration, and entertainment with a diverse and welcoming program.
The Mission Gallery will participate in the initiative with the exhibition “Peace as an Object – From the Invisible to the Visible,” which was officially opened on May 12. The exhibition brings together works by students and faculty from the Sculpture Department of the National Academy of Arts. The exhibition presents the artists’ perspectives and reflects on the contemporary global situation, marked by military actions and conflicts. The exhibition will be on view at the Mission Gallery on May 23 between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
This year’s 22nd edition of the Night of the Museums is held under the overarching theme of “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.” It emphasizes the active role of the visitor and the ability of cultural heritage to serve as a bridge between generations in a dynamic twenty-first century. Over 70 venues will open their doors completely free of charge between 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m., featuring themed exhibitions, workshops, classical concerts in ballrooms, and curator-led tours revealing the secrets of the royal family.