site.btaDeputy PM Gabriel, US Ambassador Merten Open Exhibition Featuring Bulgarian Artists in America

An exhibition "Here And There: Between Two Shores" staged by the circle of Bulgarian Artists Abroad was opened on Wednesday at the Mission Gallery of the State Institute for Culture with the Minister of Foreign Affairs by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel and US Ambassador Kenneth Merten. It is organized within the cycle of cultural events themed "Bulgaria-America: Past, Present, Future," dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the US. The project is carried out together with the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad.

Mariya Gabriel said: "When art brings us together, we have a better chance to share emotions, joy, hopes, expectations for better things." She invited viewers to immerse themselves in a visual narrative between "here" and "there", between the shore of the homeland and the shore of new hopes and dreams.

The Foreign Minister recalled that Bulgaria-US diplomatic relations were established 120 years ago. "Keep inspiring us to dream and to dare to make the world a better place through the partnership between Bulgaria and the US, because art and people are at its heart," Gabriel told the artists.

US Ambassador Merten said that by sharing their artistic talent between Chicago and Sofia and all over the world, the artists are not only promoting and preserving Bulgarian culture, but are making their traditions part of the culture of America and are also helping to build understanding between Bulgarians and Americans.

He stressed that in this way, the artists follow in the steps of writer Aleko Konstantinov, one of Bulgaria's earliest cultural ambassadors to the United States. Art and culture find expression in politics and diplomacy for a reason, the diplomat said. Culture is a common language which helps people in America and Bulgaria understand each other in the deep values they share. He stressed that the partnership between the two countries is stronger than ever, and will continue to deepen and strive for peace, prosperity, and democratic values.

The curator of the exhibition, Prof. Vassilen Vasevski, said the ties between the two nations go back a long way. He thanked the US for giving Bulgarians such a good reception in their second homeland and for treating them on an equal footing with Americans.

The exhibition features works by 11 Bulgarian artists who live and develop their artistic potential overseas: Tatyana Avdzhieva, Atanaska Tassart, Stanimira Radulova, Yordan Ivanov, Lucien Dimitrov, Vassilen Vasevski, Mariana Kalacheva, Kamelia Tomanova, Evgenia Petrova, Ivan Mihov and Kiril Manasiev. Violinist Blagomira Lipari, who has lived and worked in the US for years, gave a solo performance at the opening.

The group of Bulgarian Artists Abroad was established in 2007 to spread and preserve Bulgarian culture abroad. So far, the members of the circle have staged more than thirty exhibitions and have participated in numerous festivals, competitions and other cultural events.

The exhibition can be viewed at the Mission Gallery until September 8.