News – Page 6 – Museum of Humor and Satire

Стетен килим в детската зала Граф градина

News

New acquisition for the Children’s hall Garden Town by Alexandra Georgieva-SashettuNew acquisition for the Children’s hall Garden Town by Alexandra Georgieva-Sashettu

It is said of Gabrovians that…

autor Aleksandra Georgieva – Sashettu

Textile panel with tufting technique, yarn – acrylic and wool
Size: 2 x 6 m

The textile installation created by Aleksandra Georgieva (Sashettu) explores the rich history and culture of Gabrovo and the Yantra River through modern artistic techniques. The installation is the result of collaborative work with local residents who share personal stories, legends and memories related to the city and the river. These narratives are transformed into colorful and expressive textile works that reflect the collective memory and identity of the community. Using traditional techniques such as tufting and latch hooking, the installation combines a variety of textures and shapes, creating a unique visual and tactile environment. Tufting involves the use of a special gun to weave yarn into a fabric base, while tufting is the manual tying of pieces of yarn onto a web. Both techniques allow the creation of rich and detailed compositions that add depth and life to the stories shared.

The work promotes intergenerational dialogue and highlights the importance of local traditions and natural resources. Through collective creativity, the installation builds a bridge between the past and the present, showing how art can unite people and preserve cultural heritage.

The project was created as part of Art by Yantra of the Poiema Collective foundation and is implemented thanks to co-financing under the Culture Program of the Municipality of Gabrovo. Partners are the Museum of Humor and Satire, the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Center and the Collective Foundation.

About the artist: Aleksandra Georgieva is a contemporary artist from Sofia, born in 1997, who devoted herself to art from an early age. She graduated from the National Academy of Arts with a major in Book and Print Graphics. Her work spans multiple media including textiles, tufting, design and illustration. With two solo exhibitions and numerous group performances, Alexandra combines traditional techniques with an innovative approach, exploring social and cultural themes in her works.

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Изложба Стоян Венев. 120 години от рождението на художника.

STOYAN VENEV. 120 YEARS SINCE THE ARTIST’S BIRTHSTOYAN VENEV. 120 YEARS SINCE THE ARTIST’S BIRTH

20 December 2024 – 30 June 2025
Opening: December 20 (Friday), 18:00

” … Stoyan Venev (true to his own jovial, cheeky and mocking nature) ridiculed the vices of his time or else amused himself with the comical pitfalls of his “heroes”, even when from a purely sociological point of view, the ‘funny’ had deep dramatic dimensions.”
Dimitar Avramov

In 2024, 120 years have passed since the birth of Stoyan Venev – one of our most recognizable artists, a significant figure in Bulgarian art in the last century.

In an attempt to offer a modern look at the artist and, in a way, founding father of Bulgarian art, an exhibition was curated in hall 5 of the Museum of Humor and Satire, presenting 151 of his paintings, cartoons, satirical drawings, sketches and watercolors.

The exhibition includes a screening of 4 documentaries, which provide an opportunity for the audience to get in touch with the artist’s personality.

The story of Stoyan Venev’s work and personality is further developed with literature, catalogs and albums in the Museum Library.

The exhibition is realized with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and is a joint project between the Museum of Humor and Satire – Gabrovo, Art Gallery “Vladimir Dimitrov – Master” – Kyustendil and partner collectors.

Under the influence of the characteristic works of Stoyan Venev, generations of Bulgarians from their earliest childhood build their ideas and attitude towards the surrounding world, social changes in society, historical processes and events. His name is widely known even today. Bulgarians over middle age recognize the works of the Kyustendil artist. His colorful canvases, cartoons and drawings have long been in galleries and private collections and today are defined with the word “classic”.

Going through his life with as much dynamism as in his art, Venev has always been the object of interest from critics, journalists, colleagues and the general public – an innovator, with a bright sensibility and a single-minded, carefree creativity. In his works, the expressive color, the intimate realism, the insertion of symbolic and allegorical signs, and the social element are impressive.

Stoyan Venev developed as an artist with a keen sense of social tensions and expressed his views through a specific style. He has been widely popular since his youth, a significant exponent of the proletarian line in art between the two world wars, the last of the great representatives of the Rodno Izkustvo (Native Art) movement.

For two decades after the September 9 coup, the artist worked for the “new socialist culture” and for “representational engaged painting”.

In the 1960s, this extremely wayward artist happily returned to his characteristic previous style – to pre-war modernism, the subjective, conditional and primitive, breaking the imposed restrictions – to be truthful and realistic in the generally accepted and expected sense, with predetermined ideologically substantive and style-plastic frames.

Much of his subjects reflect his understanding of criticism as a function of art and his dozens of satirical drawings simultaneously glorify and ridicule, a peculiar mixture between the heroic and the grotesque – “… the same primitive peasants – moustached, wide-eyed, ugly and funny; still the same village festivities and funny anecdotes…” (D. Avramov).

The exhibition includes works by:

Museum of Humor and Satire – Gabrovo, Art Gallery “Vladimir Dimitrov – the Master” – Kyustendil, the private collections of Dr. Rumen Manov and Mr. Ivo Dimitrov.

Exhibition team:

Margarita Dorovska, Valentin Gospodinov, Dimka Koleva – curators

Svetlana Mihaylova – public relations

Eng. Petyo Yordanov – technical assurance

“Mozaika” studio – graphic design

—–

*quote from the article “Stoyan Venev – an original artist of the primitive Bulgarian village” by Dimitar Avramov in kultura.bg from 21.09.2014

The exhibition can be viewed in the virtual tour, which provides freedom of movement and interaction with the exhibition through interactive markers added to the works in it.

Exhibition Openings Photos

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Events
News

“To Put it Lightly” based on the fairy tale by Valeri Petrov“To Put it Lightly” based on the fairy tale by Valeri Petrov

To Put it Lightly

Event for children
December 21, Saturday, 11:00 AM

Entrance:
2 leva for children
4 leva for adults

On the first day of winter, the Museum of Humor and Satire organizes another accompanying event to the solo exhibition of Prof. Anri Kulev “Pieces of Time”.

Once again, we invite children from 4 to 10 years old to talk about their favorite Christmas films.

We will watch the full-length children’s 3D film by Valeri Petrov “To Put it Lightly”.

About the film:
Little Svetlyo has taken the six plastic Indians to his crib and is struggling to fall asleep. Suddenly, a big Dog appears in the room, explaining to Svetlyo his mission – he has come to save him.
Firstly, because he is a Saint Bernard breed by nature, and this means that he must save those in trouble.
And secondly – in connection with the letter. The thing is that Svetlyo received a letter from his grandmother with five leva in it. The little sly guy needs more to buy new Indians and wrote to his grandmother that he had not received any letter with any five leva in it. This “to put it lightly” is not a smart idea, but a very ordinary lie and his dog tells him so. Svetlyo is upset and the two decide to search, find and tear up the lying letter.

Year: 2022
Duration: 75 min.
Director: Anri Kulev
Screenplay based on the fairy tale by Valeri Petrov
Actors – with the voices of: Maxim Shishkov, Sava Piperov, Petya Silyanova and Kiril Boyadzhiev
Music: Lyubomir Denev

The film is produced by “Kancelaria Film” with the help of “National Film Center”, and co-producers are “Bulgarian National Television” and “Doli Media Studio”.
The film is provided by its director, Prof. Anri Kulev.

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Magic Christmas WorkshopMagic Christmas Workshop

Dear friends,

On December 14th at 4:00 PM, our Christmas workshop will open its doors for you again at the Museum of Humor and Satire.

We will be waiting for you with great impatience and festive mood, to create together a different and typically in our style Christmas toy with a slight wink and a fun flavor!

We will make Christmas kittens from felt, in which we will put creative spirit and inspiration, turning them into a fun decoration for your Christmas tree.

All necessary materials are provided by us, and you will take home your little creations!

The workshop is suitable for children from 7 to 10 years old.

We are looking forward to meeting you!

For more information or to apply for participation: email events@humorhouse.bg or tel. 0894937728, Ivelina Angelova – events and programs coordinator.

Places are limited.

The application is mandatory because it is related to the preparation of the materials.

Participation fee: BGN 5

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Events
News

Presentation of the Children’s Book “Vitan the Frog – How an Adventure Turned into Salvation”Presentation of the Children’s Book “Vitan the Frog – How an Adventure Turned into Salvation”

On December 13 at 5:00 PM, the writer Emilia Zafiraki will be a guest at the Museum of Humor and Satire along with her character – Vitan the Frog.

Together with Yana Kazakova, illustrator of the book, and Dr. Emilia Vacheva, a herpetologist at the National Museum of Natural History, they will tell children interesting things about the real life of amphibians.

Vitan the Frog is a book created with the idea of introducing children to the problem of the common frog or grass frog, Rana temporaria, in a fun way. In Bulgaria, they make their home in the higher altitudes of the Balkan mountain range, but every year they make a great migration to a swamp at the foot of the mountain so that they can create their descendants. Environmental pollution threatens their existence, and their fate is now entirely in the hands of humans.

“Vitan The Frog – How an Adventure Became a Salvation” is the first Bulgarian book for children, in which the fairy tale is intertwined with real information from the world of living nature. A story about friendship, mutual assistance and care, which will help children cope with difficult life situations, accept those who are different from them and enrich their knowledge about nature and interesting animal species that are unpopular and even considered “disgusting”.

The publication is suitable for children aged 6+ and has an educational purpose. The main character is a young frog Vitan, who, thanks to his great self-confidence, gets involved in an adventure filled with fear, love, unexpected twists and turns and with a big stake: the salvation of his own tribe.

The book is published by Lisiche Publishing House, with the financial support of the Culture Fund and can be purchased from FOX BOOK CAFE at 34 Gladston Street or from the online store: https://shop.foxbooks.bg/

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Christmas letter workshop for kidsChristmas letter workshop for kids

Dear little and big friends,

Traditionally, the Museum of Humor and Satire invites you to a magical adventure – the Christmas workshop for writing the most beautiful and funny letters to Santa Claus.

Come on December 7 at 11:00 am. You will have the opportunity to share your wishes to the good old man, which we will later drop into our mailbox to reach Lapland. Enjoy a creative atmosphere filled with Christmas spirit and cheer.

With us, you will be able to develop your creative potential and energy at full strength. You will decorate your letters in the most unique and brilliant way, because glitter will be in abundance. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to create your message to Santa and get into the Christmas spirit with us!

The studio is suitable for children from 7 to 10 years old. We provide the materials, and you the inspiration and enthusiasm!

We are looking forward to meeting you!

For more information or request to participate: email events@humorhouse.bg or tel. 0894937728, Ivelina Angelova – events and programs coordinator.

Places are limited.

The request is mandatory because it is related to the preparation of the materials.

Participation fee: BGN 5

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Events
News

Conversation with the children and a screening of the full-length Bulgarian animation based on Valeri Petrov’s fairy tale Pop!Conversation with the children and a screening of the full-length Bulgarian animation based on Valeri Petrov’s fairy tale Pop!

Event for children
November 30, Saturday, 11:00
Entrance:

BGN 2 for children
BGN 4 for adults

On the last day of November, we will gather to talk about our favorite cartoons, what kids like about them, and how they take us to a world full of adventures.
We invite kids aged 4 to 10 years to join a unique adventure dedicated to one of their favorite pastimes. Everyone can bring a drawing of their favorite cartoon character to present to the others.
We will end with a screening of the full-length Bulgarian animation based on Valeri Petrov’s fairy tale Pop!
The film was provided by its director – Prof. Anri Kulev.
—
Pop! (2015)
Genre: Animation
Bulgaria / 2015 / 75 minutes
Screenwriter: Valeri Petrov
Director: Anri Kulev
Starring: Stoyan Alexiev, Ivet Minkovska, Elitsa Cherkezova
Producer: Adrian Georgiev, Ivaylo Kotsev
Little Lily is on the phone, tremblingly listening to a fairy tale. The story is so full of twists and turns that she imperceptibly becomes its hero. Suddenly, the fairy tale comes to life and Lily dives into the ocean depths. While searching for a priceless pearl with magical power, she encounters all kinds of fish and crabs.
Some of them want to be friends with Lily, while others just want to gobble her up. The deeper Lily dives, the more dangerous it becomes. The phone booth suddenly turns into a submarine… and this is just one of the charming fantasies in the animated adaptation of Valeri Petrov’s fairy tale, so loved by generations of children and their parents. Pop! is an ingenious combination of animation and feature film, a real joy for the eyes.
Featuring: Stoyan Alexiev (The Wrinkled Man), Ivet Minkovska (Lily on land), Elitsa Cherkezova (Lily underwater)
with the voices of: Anton Radichev (Grilly), Hristina Ibrishimova (Lily), Petya Silyanova (Clam), Linda Ruseva (Jellyfish), Dimitar Ivanchev (Octopus), Veselin Rankov (Turtlefish)
Nominations:
Golden Panda Animation Festival in Sichuan – Competition program
Festival of New Cinema in Montreal – Children’s Program
The event is accompanying the solo exhibition of prof. Anri Kulev within the Cartoon Salon 2024.

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NUDGES: THE POWER OF VISUALSNUDGES: THE POWER OF VISUALS

**Andrey Ryzhov, Russia, *Public Opinion*, 2019**

Within the NUDGES project, The Museum of Humor and Satire is going to launch an artistic contest for the creation of designs aiming to nudge citizens into reconsidering the way we all reuse and recycle materials. The competition will be held in two age categories: adults and teenagers, and will allow the contestants to draw inspiration and knowledge from their participation in 3 different activities.

The concept for this project stems from our expert observation (and concern) that the already-existing artworks on the topic of ecology are not necessarily funny and/or serve the purpose of inspiring people to take actions and make a change in their daily lives. Since The Museum of Humor and Satire is participating in the NUDGES project as the eyesight, by creating opportunities to show / face the real challenges we will metaphorically open the eyes of designers which will then open the eyes of citizens for the existing climate challenges through experience-based artworks. Together with this, we are expecting to plant the seed in the young generation by inviting teenagers (highly influenced by fast fashion and the waste it creates) to also participate with their ideas for designs.

We are currently building the plane while we are flying or in other words – our pilot project will take off after Christmas. The nearest next step is, joined by our Associated Partner – RAM “Central Stara Planina”, to meet all our project partners for the first time face to face in beautiful Zagreb and get even more inspired and empowered for the power of visuals.

Stay tuned for information about the contest launch!

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Events
News

One Happy DonationOne Happy Donation

Museum exhibits are like Scrabble tiles – without them we can’t create words to tell stories. The more tiles, the bigger the number of stories. When in exhibition halls we strive not just to show, but to storytell, the experience for our dear visitors is many times more authentic.

If we now did a quick experiment, what our first association is when we hear the word “donation”, surely among the “results” would pop up “aids” (usually for those who have nothing) and “tax breaks” (as Gabrovians we have knowledge of everything thrifty after all).

Donations to a museum are a little different. There we talk about the way in which a work of art becomes an exhibit, and the way in which all cultural institutions enrich their holdings. The key words for these type of donations are also different: “heritage” and “trust”, because of the special attitude of and to the artist, parting with a part of themselves, so that the “owner” can now be the audience, the museum visitor can own the untouched experience of a personal encounter with art.

That is why we are in a hurry to tell you about our most recent donation. Not because we don’t have anything (our vaults are constricting us increasingly, like the Room of Requirement from “Harry Potter”, full of all the whimsical things in the world), but because we are happy with the trust given. The donation includes over 320 satirical drawings, illustrations, caricatures, cartoons and comics by our beloved colleague from the National Gallery of Art Mr. Kalin Nikolov. A selection and collection that we can’t wait to make sense of and make visible as soon as possible. It fills in blanks, deepens our knowledge, keeps us hungry for more, and most of all, gives us a new objective perspective on everything already out there that we try to work with on a daily basis.

This donation is also important because Kalin Nikolov is a person with whom every conversation is like an exhibition in itself – you are allowed to wander carefree in the exciting space of his thoughts, memories, expertise, experiences and you leave irrevocably changed, for the better. The only difference is that in exhibition halls there are usually walls, but in Nikolov’s world there are none – he has jumped over and destroyed them with his creativity, his studies and his personal civic position more than once. We recommend the book “Bulgarian Erotic Art” (2003) by Prof. V. Angelov to learn more about our latest donor – we are already completely positively biased (no matter that he could beat us at Scrabble without blinking a dignified eye).

And last but not least, the donation is significant because, as Nikolov himself tells us in one of his letters to us, the selection contains his experience as a fund curator and was done to show the creative side of the construction of ideas, the completion of the works and their previous stages, as well as a large number of free works. “As I’ve commented over the last few years, The House [of Humor and Satire] was many things, but I didn’t feel it was the place for our cartoon. Our cartoon itself is also in a deep crisis, revolving solely around the political moment and hardly only that. And we have common and far more complicated roads ahead of us,” he tells us.

And then adds:

“I believe that each of us, who has come a long way in art, can take the time and lend a hand to preserve, image by image, detail by detail, the phenomenon of native art in the field of satire.”

We agree and are wholeheartedly grateful!

images: cartoons by Kalin Nikolov, part of the donation.

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Events
News

The Museum of Humor and Satire visits Pretoria with a representative cartoon exhibitionThe Museum of Humor and Satire visits Pretoria with a representative cartoon exhibition

On October 4, the representative exhibition of the Museum of Humor and Satire “Our Common World – Smiling Messages from Bulgaria” was launched in the administrative capital of the Republic of South Africa – Pretoria. It presents a selection of contemporary Bulgarian cartoons, the work of the leading Bulgarian artists in the field. The initiative for its realization belongs to the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Museum of Humor and Satire in Gabrovo, Bulgaria and the National Library of South Africa. In this way, a popular genre of fine art becomes a spiritual bridge between the republics of South Africa and Bulgaria, shortening the distance between the two countries – for cartooning should also be a universal art that is fun and recognizable, viewed from Sofia or from Johannesburg.

The exhibition was opened by HE Maria P. Tzotzorkova, Ambassador of Bulgaria to South Africa. The concept and the artistic works were introduced by the curator Kalin Nikolov.

The selection from the Museum’s collection includes 40 works by Anri Kulev, Velin Andreev, Dimitar Tomov, Boris Dimovski, Rumen Dragostinov, Traiko Popov, Ivaylo Tsvetkov, Irien Trendafilov, Dilyana Nikolova, Svetla Hristova, Lyubomir Mihailov, Yovcho Savov, Hristo Komarnitsky and others, as well as 12 works by the fathers of Bulgarian cartoons, Alexander Bozhinov, Ilia Beshkov, Stoyan Venev.The exhibition is aimed at all lovers of fine art from academic and educational circles, youth and civil organizations, representatives of the diplomatic corps, book publishing, cultural sections of the media, the Bulgarian community in South Africa and the South African public at large.

The artists represented in the exhibition go beyond the topicality of the ordinary cartoon and include their names in the golden fund of Bulgarian fine art. Some of them—Donyo Donev, Boris Dimovski, Georgi Chaushov—frequently suffered the blows of Socialist censorship, which monitored the content of each issue of the press. The works are in the traditions of color graphics with a satirical tone. The techniques applied include drawing in ink or black tempera, as well as conceptual coloring with pastel, coloured pencil, and watercolor. A complex imagery, as well as the use of symbols from surrealist paintings, literature, cinema and posters, are integral attributes. Drawn in the style of contemporary satirical language, the works represent the intellectual school in Bulgarian cartooning.

The exhibition was made possible through the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, in accordance with the Plan-program of activities of the Bulgarian diplomatic and consular missions abroad in the field of public, cultural and digital diplomacy and strategic communications for 2024.