The National Academy of Arts, the oldest and the most prestigious art academy in Bulgaria celebrates 120 years since its foundation. A great number of public figures and intellectuals stood behind the idea of creating an art academy in the late 19th century. In 1864 artist and stage designer Nikolay Pavlovich proposed to establish a Bulgarian School of Drawing similar to the then-existing academies in Western Europe. Later the idea was supported by Ivan Shishmanov, Ivan Mrkvička and Anton Mitov, who were among the first teachers in the future Academy. With their support in 1895 a bill was tabled by the Minister of Education Konstantin Velichkov in the then monarchy of Bulgaria. In February the following year the bill was voted on by the National Assembly. The formal establishment of the State Drawing School became a fact by a decree of Knyaz Ferdinand of 1896. Initially, lectures and seminars were held in private homes.
Immediately after its establishment, the Academy not only regulated the professional situation of Bulgarian artists, but also began to play an important role in the cultural life of the country.
In 1911 lecturers sent a project in the Ministry of Education for the development of the school which included the request the school to be called Academy of Arts. Ten years later, the State Drawing School was renamed. Since 1995 it is called National Art Academy.
This academic year has been passing under the sign of the anniversary. On November 22 in the big hall of the Academy of Sciences, at a special celebration six of the last rectors of the Academy received awards.
On the same day an exhibition entitled "120 NAA.Rectors” presenting works of art by 25 academy rectors and an exhibition entitled "100 years since the birth of prof. Vasil Jonchev” opened. On December 12, a book entitled "120 years National Art Academy ", which includes texts by art historians, shedding light on the 4 main stages in the history of the school, will be presented. The celebrations end in February 2017 with the opening of a major exhibition "120 years NAA. Lecturers" in the Sofia Art Gallery will take place.
"The anniversary was celebrated abroad too with visits to two of the Bulgarian cultural centres in Europe. In Warsaw in April a major exhibition opened during the „Poland, meet the future of Bulgarian art." And just a month ago in the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Prague an exhibition dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the birth of the first director of the State Drawing School prof. Ivan Markvichka was presented. Both exhibitions are held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Bulgaria. "
These days students in 18 different majors study in the Academy in the fields of fine and applied arts, art history, restoration and design. Another interesting fact from the history of the Academy is that it is the first university in the country, which announced admission of women. This happened in the very first class of the School of Arts and it was before a big number of art academies not only in the Balkans but also in Western Europe followed the example.
English: Alexander Markov
Photos: nha.bgOn July 14, the awards from the 4th Rhodope International Documentary Film Fest (RIFE) 2024 were presented in the town of Smolyan at an official closing ceremony. From July 11 to 14, 36 films from the USA, Bulgaria, Serbia, Poland, Tunisia,..
The space for art, culture and dialogue Toplocentrala in Sofia is getting ready for the grand opening of its 5 th season with the 5 th edition of the emblematic festival Toplofest . Under the motto “High in the sky” colourful kites..
The Club of Bulgarian Women and Families in Hamburg is actively preparing for the Second Festival of Bulgarian Literature. The event is planned for July 13 and this year's festival is organized with the support of the Executive Agency..
The National Earth and People Museum in Sofia is marking today the Day of Mercy, established to remind us of the victims of nuclear bombings, terrorism and..
The festival of the modern young urban person "My Sofia. Youth with Causes" will be held for the third time on August 9 and 10 (Friday and..
The Open Buzludzha Festival connects culture, history and nature in an unforgettable experience at the foot of Mount Buzludzha and the eponymous..
+359 2 9336 661