A forgotten collection of a communist leader comes to life in an art exhibition

The prestigious mining company "Dundee Precious Metals Chelopech" is making a remarkable cultural donation that promises to transform the understanding of Bulgarian fine art from the mid-twentieth century. The collection of 49 artworks, once belonging to communist leader Valko Chervenkov, will be publicly presented for the first time.

The donation covers works created from the late 19th to the mid-50s of the 20th century, including an impressive set of Bulgarian and foreign artists. Among the local artists, names like Anton Mitov, Konstantin Shtarkelov, Nikola Tanev, and Yordan Geshev stand out – key figures in the national artistic space.

An intriguing element of the collection are works by foreign artists from Croatia, Czech Republic, Austria, and Italy. Among them are artists like Menci Crnčić and Karl Ludwig Prinz, who complement the international character of the collection.

The exhibition "An Unknown Collection. Works from Valko Chervenkov's Residence" will be realized through the museum program of the National Academy of Arts. The project is implemented with the financial support of the aforementioned mining company and is part of a competition for scientific and creative activity for 2024.

The curator of the exhibition is Milena Balcheva-Bozhkova, who leads a professional team of specialists, including restorers, designers, and visual communication experts.

Visitors will be able to view the collection at the Maritime Casino Cultural Center, in the Georgi Baev and Al. G. Kodjakafalia halls from July 10 to August 16, 2025. The exhibition will be accessible daily from 10:00 to 20:00 with an entry fee of 10 leva for adults and 5 leva for pupils, students, and pensioners. Entry is free for children under 7 years old.

This unique project not only presents a forgotten art collection but also sheds light on a little-known period of Bulgarian cultural history.