Celebrating the 130th Anniversary of the National Academy of Art
2026.10.20
On 13 October 2026, the Grand Hall of the Central Military Club in Sofia hosted the official academic celebration marking the 130th anniversary of the National Academy of Art, held under the patronage of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science.
The event brought together representatives of state institutions, the academic community, the diplomatic corps, cultural figures, distinguished senior members of the Academy, patrons, heads of cultural institutions, faculty members, students, and alumni of Bulgaria’s oldest higher education institution of art.
Second-year students from the Department of Fashion Design presented own original collections united under the theme "St John's Threads."
The event was hosted and moderated by the journalist and historian Dimitar Stoyanovich.
The format transformed the stage of the Central Military Club into a discussion studio featuring three thematic panels. In the first panel, Adelina Fileva (Director of Sofia City Art Gallery), Assoc. Prof. Mikhail Gruev (Chair of the State Archives Agency), and Assoc. Prof. Georgi Lozanov (Editor-in-Chief of LIK magazine) discussed the history of the National Academy of Art, the preservation of memory, and the significance of documentary heritage. In the second panel, the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality, Vassil Terziev, and the Mayor of Burgas, Dimitar Nikolov, addressed the partnership between local authorities and the Academy, the role of the National Academy of Art, including its branch in Burgas–in shaping the urban environment, and the opportunities available to young creators. And in the third, the professors–Assoc. Prof. Vassil Kolev, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Nenko Atanassov, PhD, and Ch. Asst. Prof. Nikolay Bozhilov, PhD–shared their perspectives on studio work and the challenges facing contemporary education.
In his academic address, the Rector of the National Academy of Art, Prof. Georgi Iankov, outlined the historical journey and contemporary development of the Academy as a European cultural and educational hub. He emphasised that the institution’s future is built upon the freedom of creative exploration, respect for each student’s individuality, and a reverence for experience and intergenerational continuity–all while engaging with the modern challenges of visual arts.
Official institutional greetings were delivered by the Chair of the National Assembly, Ms Mihaela Dotsova; the Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Georgi Valchev, PhD; and the Chair of the Student Council at the National Academy of Art, Miss Ester Brezhinskaya.
On the occasion of the anniversary, congratulatory messages were received from state authorities, local government bodies, the diplomatic corps, professional and industry organisations, the academic community, schools across the country, international partners, and foreign art academies.
The celebratory evening started with a performance by the student anthem "Gaudeamus Igitur" by St Paraskeva Academic Choir, conducted by Dr. Galina Lukanova.
Special guests at the celebration included Alexander and Konstantin Vladigerov, along with Stoil (Stu) Ivanov–some of the most prominent contemporary Bulgarian musicians–whose performances accompanied the festive programme.
130 Years of the National Academy of Art – The Art of Creating Future!
Media partners
Bulgarian News Agency (BTA)
Bulgarian National Radio (BNR)
With the support of Schwarz Digits Bulgaria
Photo credits: Alexander Karchinski, Ivan Stefanov, Zdravko Sirakov / National Academy of Art