Spiritual Messages from Bulgaria
On Friday, 3 June 2016, the Embassy of Bulgaria opened the exhibition ‘Spiritual Messages’ at the Tbilisi History Museum Karvasla, an exposition that is full of mysticism and reminds us of the necessity to be alone sometimes in order to try to gain insight despite our busy schedules.
The exhibition is the personal project of the Bulgarian artist Daniela Todorova whose works of art - predominantly installations with an air of discrete mysteriousness - present the profound bonds of Bulgaria’s culture with a number of ancient civilizations and cultures around the world through art embodying history, myths, legends, mysteries, memories and archetypes. The exposition is designed to show the image of Bulgaria’s ancient heritage abroad within the framework of the SOFIA PAPER ART FEST 2016. It is a follow-up of the AMATERAS Foundation exhibition ‘Paper Innovation’ presented in Karvasla Gallery in Tbilisi in November 2015.
“This is the third Bulgarian exposition here,” said Lika Mamatsashvili, Director of Karvasla. “I think the connection between the two countries has always been big and I think it will be continued.”
“The display shows the bronze sculpture and paper art that bring the air of ancient times and their spiritual messages to the modern humans,” said a proud H.E. Plamen Bonchev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Georgia. “The stylistics is inspired by the ancient cultures of Thrace, Colchis, Asyria, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Phoenicia and other lands and cultures, and also Kolkhida. The aim is to show Bulgaria’s contribution to the history of world culture.”
After Georgia, the exhibition will move to Prague, Great Britain and other countries.
GEORGIA TODAY spoke to artist Daniela Todorova.
“During my previous visit, everything inspired me, but first of all, the culture. I saw such strong Christianity here, something that was very interesting for me. My husband and I decided to use the language of the past and present as they are all somehow connected,” she said. “Here in the ornaments, you can see ancient elements coming from the sun. Jesus as an archetype is the energy of the sun, giving us light, love, optimism, and power to go further. This project is very important for contemporary people, because sometimes when we are in a hurry, we forget that our belief and our religion is our power to succeed and to be happy.”
Todorova identifies the common element in ancient cultures: the worship of heaven and nature, and rituals performed to honour the Sun and Fertility. The solar symbol, which is the main focus of the exposition and implies antiquity and spiritual teachings on the territory of Bulgaria, have also played an enormous role in the development of Europe and its system of spiritual values. The incredible bond of humankind with its creator – the Universe – is in the heart of the exposition, displaying the ancient links and similarities of cultures, cults and symbols. It presents in an allegorical way – through the media of paper and bronze – the enigma of the ancient Thracians and Hun-Bulgarians, the Bogomils, the achievements of Christianity, the Glagolhic alphabet, the Hun-Bulgarian Roboshitza writing system, the ancient Proto-Bulgarian calendar.
GEORGIA TODAY also talked to Todor Todorov, Daniela’s husband: “I have a large outdoor sculpture in 18 different countries. I chose my old works as they are appropriate to this exhibition”. Those interested in his art, can visit www.todor.org.uk
The door is open until June 15, every day but for Monday, from 10 am to 5.30 pm. The Tbilisi History Museum is located next to Sioni Church, close to Chardin Street. Entrance costs 3 GEL.
Maka Lomadze