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Saturday 12 December 2026
07 December 2026 - 13 December 2026
November 2026
01.12.2026
3rd Annual Forum on Transport, Logistics and Freight Forwarding
In December, the forum for transport, logistics and freight forwarding returns with a third edition!
Business Events
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
29.10.2026 - 06.12.2026
Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch. ARCHITECTURE: (THE) POSSIBLE ART
Sofia Arsenal – Museum of Contemporary Art
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
29.10.2026 - 06.12.2026
Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch. ARCHITECTURE: (THE) POSSIBLE ART
Sofia Arsenal – Museum of Contemporary Art
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
02.12.2026
Music and Dance Events
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
29.10.2026 - 06.12.2026
Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch. ARCHITECTURE: (THE) POSSIBLE ART
Sofia Arsenal – Museum of Contemporary Art
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
29.10.2026 - 06.12.2026
Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch. ARCHITECTURE: (THE) POSSIBLE ART
Sofia Arsenal – Museum of Contemporary Art
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
29.10.2026 - 06.12.2026
Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch. ARCHITECTURE: (THE) POSSIBLE ART
Sofia Arsenal – Museum of Contemporary Art
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
29.10.2026 - 06.12.2026
Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch. ARCHITECTURE: (THE) POSSIBLE ART
Sofia Arsenal – Museum of Contemporary Art
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Curator: Nadezhda Dzhakova, PhD
After his successive solo exhibitions in London, Paris, and Geneva, Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., now presents 27 projects at the Sofia Arsenal Museum gallery whose reconstruction was carried out to his design in 2011.
Immersive installations, videos, scale models, sketches, technical drawings, and photographic documents showcase the diversity of his architectural oeuvre—ranging from theatres and sports facilities to philharmonic and opera houses, public spaces, and private residential buildings. A significant number of these projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The exhibition also includes panels of architectural sculptures—or architectons—such as ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Abode’, and the Monument to the Berlin Wall in Sofia. These works have previously been displayed in galleries, museums, and public spaces in Lisbon, Prague, Brussels, London, Paris, and Sofia.
The exhibition serves as an original architectural forum, with a rich accompanying programme, which includes lectures by internationally acclaimed architects, such as Dante O. Benini from Milan, Italy, and Prof. Octavio Mestre from Barcelona, Spain, and Arch. Fani Danadjieva Hansen, USA.
In its entirety, the exhibition comprehends architecture through its most up-to-date manifestations and challenges.
Furthermore, the topic of ‘architecture: (the) possible art’ is addressed—especially today, when, in the public spaces in Bulgaria, it is frequently perceived merely as square meters of construction for sale. This strips
it of its fundamental function and mission: to create a high-quality environment while showing respect for nature, cultural memory, and the human being.
This is the creative, the lecturer’s stance and creed that Prof. Boyko Kadinov, D.Arch., has consistently upheld throughout his long professional career.
The exhibition was made possible with the creative and organisational support of UACEG, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, ОСА 2000, MP-STUDIO, BULGED, ROCA LAUFFEN, PHOENIX and KONICA MINOLTA.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; Bulgarian National Radio, ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Nadezhda Dzhakova, Head of SAMCA
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
06.12.2026
ROSSINI SALON
Chamber concert
Chamber hall
Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Chamber hall
Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Music and Dance Events
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
11.12.2026
MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Opera by Giacomo Puccini
Duration 3:00 Intermission 1
Main Hall
Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
It is performed in Italian, with Bulgarian and English subtitles.
Duration 3:00 Intermission 1
Main Hall
Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
It is performed in Italian, with Bulgarian and English subtitles.
Music and Dance Events
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
12.12.2026
Large-Scale Transformation
Mentor for rapid transformation and realization of financial potential.
Business Events
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
18.12.2026
THE NUTCRACKER
11:00 и 19:00
Ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Duration 2:00 Intermission 1 Main Hall Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Duration 2:00 Intermission 1 Main Hall Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Music and Dance Events
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
21.12.2026
SEMIRAMIDE
Opera by Gioachino Rossini
Duration 3:00 Intermission 1
Main Hall
Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Performed in Italian, with Bulgarian and English subtitles.
Duration 3:00 Intermission 1
Main Hall
Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Performed in Italian, with Bulgarian and English subtitles.
Music and Dance Events
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
22.12.2026
THE NUTCRACKER
14:00 и 19:00
Ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Duration 2:00 Intermission 1 Main Hall Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Duration 2:00 Intermission 1 Main Hall Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Music and Dance Events
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
23.12.2026
THE NUTCRACKER
14:00 и 19:00
Ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Duration 2:00 Intermission 1 Main Hall Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Duration 2:00 Intermission 1 Main Hall Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Music and Dance Events
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
25.12.2026 - 26.12.2026
National and Official Holidays
Religious Holidays
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
25.12.2026 - 26.12.2026
National and Official Holidays
Religious Holidays
26.12.2026
THE NUTCRACKER
11:00 и 19:00
Ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Duration 2:00 Intermission 1 Main Hall Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Duration 2:00 Intermission 1 Main Hall Children under 6 are not admitted to adult performances!
Music and Dance Events
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions
28.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
HRISTO SIMEONOV (1935–2020) BETWEEN MATTER AND ANTIMATTER
Hristo Simeonov (1935–2020) belonged to the generation of artists whose creative searches unfolded amidst the evolving visual language of the second half of the 20th century. Within the context of Bulgarian art, this painter stood out for his idiosyncratic creative system—the result of long-standing research in physics, astrology, and cosmology—that existed at the intersection of painting, philosophy, science, and imagination.
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
The exhibition, ‘Between Matter and Antimatter’, features a selection of more than 50 works produced over a span of five decades. These range from still lifes, interiors, portraits, and landscapes—through which the artist maintained his connection to reality—to his magnum opus: Pariorealism.
In his earlier works, objects, light and space are rendered with precision, while the ordinary is transformed into an avenue for exploring the relationship between man and the surrounding world. The landscapes he produced throughout his life, reveal both nature and the urban environment as constant sources of inspiration. Seeking a novel artistic direction in the late 1970s, the artist formulated the concept of Pariorealism. Utilising the airbrush, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and engaging with ideas regarding rhythm, matter, and the Universe, he constructed images that transcended the established laws of
physical reality.
In the history of Bulgarian art, Hristo Simeonov’s figure is closely linked to sci-fi artists such as Stefan Lefterov, Vasil Ivanov, Tekla Aleksieva, and Dimitar Yankov.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency; Bulgarian National Television; ELLE magazine, and rozali.com.
Maria Kodinova, National Gallery
Exhibitions
27.10.2026 - 31.12.2026
IVAN TOMANOV (1956−2017) - INSPIRATION
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund is visiting the National Gallery to present ‘Inspiration’, an exhibition by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov (1956–2017). The event is part of the programme marking the 45th anniversary of the Fund’s foundation.
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
The exhibition features some 20 sculptures and over ten drawings by the artist, as well as a portrait of him by painter Dimitar Lalev. The exhibits include a version of the composition, ‘Memory’ (2004), which was specially commissioned by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, where it is kept to this day.
Ivan Tomanov graduated from the Secondary School of Arts in Sofia in 1974, and acquired a degree in Sculpture at the National Academy of Arts in 1983, under Prof. Boris Gondov.
Art historian and exhibition curator Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov said about the artist: ‘We should stress that, alongside its extraordinary breadth, Ivan Tomanov’s oeuvre reveals a reflexive insight into the
issues of contemporary art—a quality rarely encountered in these latitudes.’
‘His exhibition, “Untitled: Drawings, Simulacra” (Karlovo, 2015; Sofia, 2016) still remains unique in the history of our culture. Above all by the fact that it dramatises the issue of expendability of the artist and the end of art itself. Without passing definitive judgments on these issues, Ivan Tomanov imposes something fundamental that is also valid for his entire oeuvre: works of art are not intended for ephemeral admiration; rather, they demand a certain tension in the process of perception, which enkindles reflections on their conception, maturation, and plastic creation. Whence, the primary focus of his creative inspiration: not so much to
appeal to the public as it is to make it [people] think…’
Media partner: BТА / Bulgarian News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Boris Danailov
Exhibitions
20.10.2026 - 20.10.2027
THE WALL Vol. 7 Nevelin Ivanov I FEEL NOTHING ELSE BUT DISAPPOINTMENT
The 7th edition of “The Wall” presents the work of Nevelin Ivanov "I Feel Nothing Else but Disappointment".
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
The long-term project of the National Gallery, launched in 2020, aims to promote the work of contemporary masters of mural painting, graffiti artists and conceptual painters. On an especially designated wall in the atrium of Kvadrat 500 (with the impressive dimensions of 240 x 2,700 cm), the artists create monumental works in harmony with the sculptures of Lyubomir Dalchev, Alexander Dyakov, Pavel Koychev, Krum Damyanov, Galin Malakchiev, etc., which are part of the representative museum exhibition. In 2022, the partnership with Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation begins, which has been ongoing for five years. With their support a complete renovation was carried out, including the construction of the decorative panel, which allows the selected artists greater freedom in the realisation of their ideas.
Act I: “Dear colleagues,
With a few short sentences I will turn my triumph into failure.”
This text from his site-specific installation Nevelin Ivanov writes on plexiglass panels with special ropes. Periodically, the artist will add a new sentence, creating a complete text. The sentences will be executed by the artist in his signature technique of wall embroidery, shown for the first time in the work “I Wanted to Become an Artist, But I Became a Bad Boy” in the exhibition of the nominées for the 2025 Baza Contemporary Art Award at the Sofia City Art Gallery.
Nevelin Ivanov (b. 2002) is a Bulgarian visual artist. The multidisciplinary approach and undisguised exhibitionism with which he sometimes explores himself, his corporeality, desires and obsessive thoughts make his works highly recognisable. His solo exhibitions: “If I Had a Pig, I Would Name It Nevo” (2023), “Nevo's Bedroom” (2024), “I Will Stop Being an Artist When It Starts to Snow Indoors” (2025), etc. demonstrate his signature expressiveness and place him among the most interesting young artists of our time.
“The Wall” is realised with the support of Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation.
Media partner: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency.
Exhibitions
16.06.2026 - 16.06.2027
Temporary Exhibition New Acquisitions
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
12.02.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Copper - Ancient and Modern"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
11.04.2025 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Minerals and Colorful Creatures. Drawings by Nature"
The Minerals of Bulgaria exposition has been expanded with a new theme: Unique mineral finds from Bulgaria, a project financed by the Ministry of culture. In 6 display cases, minerals with the most beautiful crystals, rare colors and shapes are exhibited, selected for tens of years by hundreds of geologists and collectors from all over Bulgaria.
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets
Exhibitions
01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Natural Art from Chalcedony"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026
Temporary exhibition "Smart Minerals for Smartphones"
from 10:00 to 18:00 o'clock
Entrance with museum tickets.
Entrance with museum tickets.
Exhibitions
10.12.2025 - 30.01.2027
Zahari Zograph Immersive Exhibition
The National Gallery presents one of the most iconic figures in the history of Bulgarian art – Zahari Zograph. This first immersive exhibition introduces a new way of experiencing the masterpieces of the the museum’s collection. Harnessing new technologies, the 20-minute project, created by Senzor Studio, brings his religious and secular masterpieces to life, revealing essential elements of his creative process.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
The initiative promotes Bulgarian Revival аrt, a period characterized by economic, social, and cultural growth, closely tied to the pursuit of ecclesiastical and national independence. The period traces its origins to the mid-18th century, when Paisius of Hilendar wrote Istoriya Slavyanobulgarskaya (History of the Slavs and Bulgarians) in 1762—which profoundly shaped the spiritual awakening of the population and contributed significantly to the development of national consciousness…
The exhibition features a selection of icons, drawings, copies, letters, documents, and secular portraits from the artist’s early period. It also showcases a substantive collection of murals, ranging from his earliest works—created in 1838 for the Chapel of St John the Baptist at the Church of the Holy Virgin—Annunciation in Asenovgrad—to what is considered as his “final masterpiece,” the murals adorning the narthex of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos, completed between 1851 and 1852.
Zahari Zograph emerged as a defining figure of Bulgarian Revival art. His relentlessly inquisitive artistic spirit was ahead of its era, and his extensive body of work reflects the vitality of the approaching modern age, the artistry of traditional imagery, the strength of line, and the emotive power of color.
The project is realised with the financial support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria under the Creation programme 2024.
Media partners: BTA / Bulgarian News Agency and SOF Connect.
Exhibitions