It is 150 years on 2 October since the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. To mark the occasion, on 17 September, an exhibition is opening in Oborishte 5 gallery, called “Mahatma Gandhi – the power of truth”, in which 20 renowned Bulgarian artists and sculptors are displaying works inspired by India’s distinguished son.

The event is organized by the East-West Indological Foundation and the Indian embassy. The exhibition will be opened by India’s ambassador to this country Ms. Pooja Kapur.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mahatma (high-souled) is one of the most prominent figures of the world. Spiritual leader of the India’s independence movement, he attained his goal – his country declared its independence in 1947. Having dedicated his entire life in service to others, he observed and preached non-violence, truthfulness, complete physical, spiritual and political freedom. “There is no path to peace. Peace is the path”, “Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong”, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” These are some of his most popular quotes that people around the world have never stopped citing. Gandhi’s wisdom, his deeds have inspired Bulgarian artists too. Art critic Plamena Racheva, Director of Varna Boris Georgiev Varna city art gallery:

“This is a project that is truly unique, for the first time there is an exhibition in this country that is entirely dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. It features works by some of the most prominent painters and sculptors of Bulgaria – Ivan Rusev, Prof. Ivan Slavov, Prof. Desislava Mincheva, Prof. Emil Popov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamen Tsvetkov, Krasimir Todorov, Aglika Gaitanikova. Selma Todorova, curator of the exhibition, is also presenting a diptych. Other names that deserve a mention are: Prof. Stanislav Pamukchiev, Dr. Stoyan Dechev, Assoc. Prof. Tzvetan Stoyanov, Rasho Mitev, Tsvetoslav Hristov, Stefan Churchuliev, Harry Atanasov, Penka Atanasova, Ivan Milushev, Assoc. Prof. Valentin Gospodinov, Prof. Emil Popov, Tsanko Tsankov. In this exhibition they present their view of Mahatma Gandhi, the special place he still holds in the world as a man of wisdom. Mahatma Gandhibelongs to the world, to world history, he has gone down as a trail-blazer for the human race, and not only spiritually, but also from a practical view of life.

The exposition includes one remarkable picture by Boris Georgiev from 1935. It is arguably the only portrait of Mahatma Gandhi pained from life. There exists written evidence of the friendship between Mahatma Gandhi and Boris Georgiev, some of these documents have been published. Last year this portrait was included in the collection of the Boris Georgiev city art gallery in Varna, the town where the artist was born. What makes this portrait all the more fascinating is that in the left-hand corner Mahatma Gandhi wrote in his own hand: At the feet of the Lord, in the hearts of the poor. From this spiritual message Boris Georgiev got the idea for his big picture Daridra Narayan – service to the poor.”

The exposition “Mahatma Gandhi – the power of truth”is on in Sofia until 2 October, and will afterwards be on display at galleries around the country, in India, as well as in the Republic of North Macedonia.