site.btaBulgarian Holy Sites in Istanbul Inspire Bulgarian, Turkish Artists

These days the exhibition hall of the Bulgarian Exarchate in the heart of the megalopolis of Istanbul has been transformed into a large international art studio. Here is a meeting place for eight artists from Bulgaria and Turkiye.

Biser Lapev, Vesela Stamenova, Desislava Lapeva, Pavlina Kopano and Pavel Vasilev from Bulgaria and Metin Kus, Serpil Cetinkaya and Seyla Kaya from Turkiye participate in an art symposium on the theme "Time within Us". It is held under the auspices of the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Istanbul and the Bulgarian Exarchate Foundation in Istanbul between September 2 to 8.

Pavlina Kopano is the organizer and coordinator. She is a Bulgarian artist who has lived and worked in Istanbul for many years and has presented her works at many exhibitions in Turkiye and Bulgaria. Her professional career in Istanbul is also closely connected with the traditional art plein airs at the Bulgarian Exarchate, about which she told BTA.

"It is a tradition at our plein air festivals, which we started seven years ago, to promote through art, through the eyes of artists from different countries, objects that are part of Bulgarian history, and are revered. In some countries, including Turkiye itself, little is known about the fact that they belong to the Bulgarian community in Istanbul, which, although small in number, almost invisible in the huge metropolis, plays an important role in the preservation of the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage. Bulgarian Consul General Vasil Valchev and the Consul Radoslava Kafedjiyska provide us with a lot of support in this mission," she said, adding that the Consulate pays for all work supplies and the accompanying events, while the church board, chaired by Dimitar Yotef, covers the costs of the trip, the accommodation of the artists, and provides premises on the exarchate for creative work. "We can't do it without each other, it's a collective effort," Kopano said.

According to her, there is another side to holding the art plein air in Istanbul.

"Artists, in addition to creating works, also make connections with each other, which are the basis for future joint performances. So far, artists from different countries have participated. We arrange exhibitions of their works. This explains the interest - some participants have returned. This year we have participants from two countries. We will present the paintings at an exhibition on the occasion of November 1, the Day of National Awakeners," she said.

Vesela Stamenova, painter, graphic artist and sculptor from Bulgaria:

 "This is the second time I have attended the art plen air in Istanbul and I see that there is a positive development. The Exarchate is a fantastic place, inspiration is everywhere. I started two paintings. One is dedicated to the road from Kapikule to Istanbul. What would I say? A presence of people that gets bigger and bigger, beautiful landscapes. The organization is very good, you say what you want and you get it immediately. And most importantly, the warm attitude of the hosts. And the friendship that binds us. We work in a place that is energizing."

The artists' daily life is filled with painting and creative conversations in the studio at the Exarchate. Beyond this, they have found the time to visit the Iron Church of St. Stephen on the banks of the Golden Horn and the Bulgarian nunnery.

Artist Serpil Cetinkaya shared her impressions.

"It's an understatement to say how fascinated I am by the Iron Church. I had no idea of its existence. In my work I mainly recreate motifs from ancient civilizations. Bulgarian historical sites in Istanbul were unknown to me," she said. "I am particularly impressed by how well they have been preserved for future generations. I am happy to have the opportunity to recreate them through art," she added, thanking the organizers for the wonderful working conditions.

Vesela Stamenova from Bulgaria is already familiar with the St. Stephen Church.

"I have been to the Iron Church several times, both before and after the restoration, and every time I think it is a unique church and we are happy that it is ours, Bulgarian," the artist added.

Pavel Vasilev, a sculptor and a painter from Smolyan, is among the participants who have returned.

"The times are different, but a sense for the Bulgarian in Istanbul, the feeling of the timeless Bulgarian attitude, the closeness, the respect have not changed. They are in us, just like time. The good thing is that all of us will leave one work in this most Bulgarian of Bulgarian homes in the heart of Istanbul. I have been to other plein air festivals. But the difference here is the spirit of the Bulgarian identity, which feels timeless," he said.

Biser Lapeva and his wife Desisilava Lapeva are artists from Kyustendil, where they have a private art gallery. It is the first time they have been to Turkiye.

"We were happy to accept the invitation of organizer Pavlina Kopano," said Biser Lapev. "We had never been to Istanbul and Turkiye in general. And when the first impression is related to people from the Bulgarian community, it is overwhelmingly emotional. We hope to recreate it in the canvases we will make and that they will like it," he said, adding that Istanbul is a "palette of colours" and they would love to come again. "My wife and I have participated in other plein air workshops, but here there is an added spiciness that provokes creativity. And it will be reflected in our future works."

According to artist Metin Kus from Istanbul, the Bulgarian holy places are timeless symbols of the megalopolis.

"Since we are always rushing in our everyday life, unfortunately, we sometimes overlook such shrines, but thanks to the plein air we managed to rediscover them. “Time within Us” is a fertile and universal theme for me as an artist because it allows us to express what excites and provokes us regardless of time distances," he said.

The works and their authors will be presented on Sunday at the Bulgarian Exarchate in the presence of guests from the Bulgarian community and from Istanbul. And on the occasion of November 1, the Day of the National Awakeners, an exhibition will be arranged in the exhibition hal of the Bulgarian Exarchate.