The Exhibition “Standing Voices” launched the celebration program for the 20th Anniversary of the State Institute for Culture
On the eve of Europe Day with an official opening at the “Cube” Gallery – Toplocentrala in Sofia, the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs launched the program to celebrate its 20th anniversary with the exhibition “Standing Voices” – an ambitious project that combines contemporary art, historical memory, and engagement with the urgent issues of our time.
“This is a very serious, ambitious, conceptually strong and timely exhibition,” stated Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, Director of the State Institute for Culture, during her address at the opening. She emphasized the significance of the partnership with the Toplocentrala team, which was built on trust and collaboration developed over more than a year. “We didn’t just choose or rent a space – we entrusted your team to demonstrate professionalism in a space that is different from the usual venues where our Institute typically exhibits,” she added.
Curator and program director of the “Cube” Gallery, Vladiya Mihaylova, highlighted that the project contains many layers and stems from a pivotal event – the chemical pollution of the city of Ruse in the 1980s and the mass civil protests that followed. “The right to breathe is inherently connected to the right to speak and to have a voice. This isn’t an isolated moment in Bulgaria’s history – today we constantly face similar issues, where corporate or political interests stand in opposition to human rights,” Mihaylova noted.
She also explained that the exhibition goes beyond the physical space of the “Cube” Gallery and continues at the National Museum “Earth and Man,” where large-scale artistic interventions have been installed. “Trust is contagious – the museum also entrusted us with their entire space, allowing us to imagine and build installations that reflect the relationship between people and nature,” she added.
“Voices Raised is a concept that resonates with us as an institution capable of standing tall and speaking boldly about the place and role of culture in diplomacy and international relations. I believe this exhibition will spark further beginnings beyond the borders of our country,” Yoveva-Dimitrova said.
The exhibition features works by contemporary artists Alexander Lazarkov, Alla Georgieva, Valentina Shara, Dina Stoev, Ivo Bistrichki, Kamen Stoyanov, Krasimira Butseva, Snezhanka Mihaylova, Stoyan Dechev, Olivia Mihalțianu, and Youlian Tabakov. The project also includes an accompanying program throughout May, with film screenings, lectures, curator-led tours, and public discussions. The exhibition runs until May 31, and you can learn more about the accompanying events here.
The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is the official media partner of the events marking the 20th anniversary of the State Institute for Culture.