The Artist Todor Karasimeonov: Kazanlak, Burgas, and the Forgotten Works

Right on Unification Day – September 6 – the Burgas Art Gallery will host an event that symbolically intertwines the destinies of two Bulgarian cities: Kazanlak and Burgas. At the heart of this narrative is the life and work of the little-known, but extremely significant for Bulgarian art, artist and teacher Todor Karasimeonov. The event, titled "Saturday in the Traveling Gallery", aims to resurrect the memory of this artist who has unfairly remained in the shadows of time.

The Creative Path of a Pioneer

Born in Kazanlak just four years after the historic unification of Bulgaria, Karasimeonov was among the first representatives of the Valley of Roses to dare to cross the threshold of the National Academy of Arts in Sofia. At that time, this educational institution, then known as the State Drawing School, was a hub for emerging talents who would subsequently leave their mark on Bulgarian art. In its studios, he was a fellow student and contemporary of names such as Vladimir Dimitrov – The Master, Angel Spasov, Dimitar Chorbadzhiyski – Chudomir, and Konstantin Shtarckelov. This environment not only shaped his talent but also placed him at the core of an artistic generation that, in the following decades, would define the face of visual arts in Bulgaria.

Despite his Kazanlak roots, fate led Todor Karasimeonov to the seashore, where he connected his life and work with Burgas. Together with the artist Gencho Mitev, he was among the pioneers who worked as certified artist-teachers in the coastal city. It was in Burgas that Karasimeonov spent almost two decades of his life, leaving a lasting mark on the local cultural scene. The upcoming meeting will not only reveal little-known facts from his biography but will also present his works preserved in the collections of galleries in his hometown and in Burgas – the city he accepted as his home.

A Return to Roots

The event promises to be an emotional journey that will explore not only the life of the artist but also his significant contribution to the development of caricature and caricature in Bulgaria. During the lecture, delivered by Plamen V. Petrov, an answer will be sought to the question of why the name of this artist has fallen into oblivion. The fact that Karasimeonov is believed to be the author of the internal decorative ornamentation of the Burgas Synagogue is particularly intriguing, which gives his personality even greater significance.

This initiative is part of the project "Saturday in the Traveling Gallery" by the Kazanlak Art Gallery, which is a logical continuation of the successful educational platform "Saturday in the Gallery". For three years now, it has managed to attract a wide and diverse audience. The new project focuses attention on artists from Kazanlak who have left a trace in different parts of Bulgaria. To reach the widest possible audience, each lecture will be filmed and made available online on the websites of the partner galleries.

• The project is implemented with the financial support of the "Dissemination '24" program of the National Fund "Culture".
• The event will take place at the Burgas Art Gallery "Petko Zadgorski" on September 6, 2025, starting at 6:00 PM.

It is expected to attract a large audience who will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new, exciting, and unusual narrative for the media.