Cultural-historical Heritage and National Identity

Collaboration between the Institute of Art Studies and the Sofia City Art Gallery

A three-year bilateral cooperation agreement between the Institute of Art Studies (IAS) and the Sofia City Art Gallery (SCAG) was signed by the directors, Prof. Dr. Joanna Spassova-Dikova and Adelina Fileva, on 15 September. SGAG is a museum with a long-standing tradition; over the past fifteen years, its policy has placed an emphasis on research activities. This, alongside high-quality and memorable exhibition projects and publications dedicated to figures, events and processes from the late 19th century to the present day, ensures the gallery a special role amongst its peer cultural institutions and a prominent presence in public life. SCAG is a magnet for highly qualified specialists who work to rethink established historical narratives and restore historical memory of the lives and works of forgotten artists. [...]

Връзки с обществеността2026-09-17T09:39:24+03:0016 September 2026|Categories: Cultural-historical Heritage and National Identity|Tags: Институт за изследване на изкуствата|

Fragments of Palaiologan paintings have been discovered in the “Life-giving Spring of the Mother of God” church in Melnik

On 12 September 2026, the Vice-President of BAS Prof. Emmanuel Moutafov visited the archaeological excavations in the “Life-giving Spring of the Mother of God” church in the historic Armenia quarter of Melnik, which were taking place for the fourth consecutive season under the direction of Sen. Asst. Prof. Dr. Metodi Zlatkov from NAIM and Dr. Maria Pashova (RHM – Blagoevgrad). As we have already informed you, the Church of the Life-giving Spring of the Mother of God is situated in the Rozhen Valley, or at the start of the footpath from Melnik to Rozhen Monastery. Its development can be divided into two main construction phases: the first dating from the late 13th to the first half of the 14th century, and the second from the [...]

Връзки с обществеността2026-09-14T16:32:07+03:0014 September 2026|Categories: Cultural-historical Heritage and National Identity, Selected|

Bulgarian participation in the forum “Architecture of the New Order – Stability in Times of Change”

From 8 to 10 September 2026, the 35th Economic Forum took place in Karpacz, Poland. Founded by Zygmunt Berdychowski in 1992, the forum is the most significant socio-economic event in Central and Eastern Europe. Due to its scale and significance, it is often referred to as the “Davos of Eastern Europe”. This year’s edition was dedicated to the theme “The Architecture of the New Order – Stability in Times of Change”. Over 6,500 leaders from the worlds of politics, business, science, healthcare, education and culture took part. The programme included more than 500 panel discussions, lectures, workshops and accompanying cultural events. At the invitation of the Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies in Warsaw, Prof. Roumiana Preshlenova, Director of the Institute of Balkan Studies with the [...]

Връзки с обществеността2026-09-14T16:31:06+03:0014 September 2026|Categories: Cultural-historical Heritage and National Identity|

The Institute of Art Studies presents a new book

The book „ЗНАНИЕТО ЗА МУЗИКАТА според „Ясно и леко въведение в практическата музика“ на Томас Морли (ок. 1557–1602). Между Musica Theoretica и Musica Practica“ (“KNOWLEDGE OF MUSIC according to Thomas Morley’s (c. 1557–1602) “A Plain and Easy Introduction to Practical Music”. Between Musica Theoretica and Musica Practica”) by Associate Professor Yavor Genov of the Institute of Art Studies was presented on 8 September at Studio Musika of Sofia Philharmonic. This book is a theoretical and historical study of the first comprehensive and complete treatise on music published in English during the Elizabethan Renaissance. The thematic organisation follows that chosen by Thomas Morley which is designed to guide the reader and/or student gradually into the subject of music. The treatise’s three main sections focus on the pitch and temporal [...]

Връзки с обществеността2026-09-10T11:53:23+03:0010 September 2026|Categories: Cultural-historical Heritage and National Identity|Tags: Институт за изследване на изкуствата|

A team from NAIM – BAS continues its research into the church of the “Life-giving Spring of the Mother of God” in Melnik

Archaeological excavations at the church of the “Life-giving Spring of the Mother of God” in the historic Armenia quarter of Melnik will take place for the fourth consecutive season in September 2026. They form part of the long-term research into this important medieval town. The 2026 excavations are being carried out as part of a project by the National Archaeological Institute with Museum of BAS (NAIM – BAS) in partnership with the Archaeological Museum – Sandanski (AM – Sandanski) and the Regional Historical Museum – Blagoevgrad (RHM – Blagoevgrad), with financial support from the Ministry of Culture and AM – Sandanski. The team is led by Sen. Asst. Prof. Dr Metodi Zlatkov (NAIM – BAS), with Dr Maria Pashova (RHM – Blagoevgrad) serving as [...]

Връзки с обществеността2026-08-31T10:58:50+03:0031 August 2026|Categories: Cultural-historical Heritage and National Identity, Selected|

“The Forgotten Deities” come to life in an exhibition at the National Archaeological Museum

“The Forgotten Deities” temporary exhibition at the National Archaeological Institute with Museum of BAS offers visitors the chance to journey through over 6,000 years of spiritual history and to reflect on the ways in which different societies have sought to explain the world, nature and human existence. This large-scale project brings together over 200 rare artefacts and traces the development of religious beliefs across Bulgarian lands from the early Neolithic period to Late Antiquity. The official opening of the exhibition took place on 6 August. World mythology raises questions and seeks to explain why every culture creates stories that help people find their bearings and a way out of the chaos into which we are born with our first breath on this planet, said Prof. [...]

Връзки с обществеността2026-08-10T09:28:22+03:007 August 2026|Categories: Cultural-historical Heritage and National Identity, Selected|