The exhibition Ancient Traditions and Customs from Bulgaria is on display in Rome as part of the cultural calendar of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of EU. A total of 30 photos have been exhibited at the Luce Gallery in Rome. Those have all been selected exclusively by the Association of Professional Photographers in Bulgaria and display colorful customs and traditions from this country. 16 photographers from the association are the authors of the pictures. Two of them – Ani Petrova and Evgeni Dimitrov outlined for the BNR that Rome was the third capital, visited by the exhibition. It was in Moscow before that and also in Budapest and Kazan – the capital of Tatarstan. “We have received only positive feedback so far and that’s why we keep going,: Evgeni Dimitrov says.

“We can be good ambassadors of Bulgaria, of its traditions and culture,” Ani Petrova says, while Evgeni adds: “The plots show interesting people, customs, traditions, local clothing from all over the country. The exhibition hasn’t been consulted with an ethnography expert, but does show the colors and beauty of Bulgarian customs.”

Christmas carol singing, dancing on fire, St. Lazarus’ Day, festive horse races and kukeri processions (Mummers) – these are only some of the plots, captured in the photos. Certain of those customs have their analogue across other European countries. What is that makes this exhibition so interesting for the public?

“There are like million different points of view in regard to any event, any story. It is precisely the fact that we are different photographers with different views and photo manners that gives us the chance to reveal new and varying perspectives to the rituals which have remained unseen so far. That is what really adds to the event’s attractiveness,” Evgeni Dimitrov explains.

Ani loves taking photos across the Pirin resort town of Bansko and has her favorite characters that show her every summer traditional local crafts. “I myself love the Ivaylovgrad region and the traditions of the Bulgarians from Asia Minor, who have managed to preserve what’s Bulgarian for centuries prior to their return back to Bulgaria. Hence the accent of my work,” Evgeni says.

Despite being competitors, working for different media, the members of the Association of Professional Photographers in Bulgaria are also proselytes. That is why they are capable of joining their efforts within different projects. Ancient Traditions and Customs from Bulgaria is the first joint exhibition of the association. It will be in Rome till February 15, but its founders hope that it will be presented elsewhere too.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev