International ExLibris Competition of the "Lyuben Karavelov" Regional Library in Ruse is being showcased at the FISAE Congress

To The Artworks

Exhibition "EXLIBRIS-EXLIBRARY: 22 Years of the International ExLibris Competition of the 'Lyuben Karavelov' Regional Library – Ruse" 

The exhibition is part of the program of the 41st Congress of the International Federation of ExLibris Societies (FISAE), held in Varna from September 1 to 6, 2026.

On September 3, the exhibition "EXLIBRIS-EXLIBRARY: 22 Years of the International ExLibris Competition of the 'Lyuben Karavelov' Regional Library – Ruse" opened at the Largo Gallery in Varna. It is part of the program of the 41st Congress of the International Federation of ExLibris Societies (FISAE), held in Bulgaria's maritime capital from September 1 to 6, 2026. The opening was attended by Nelly Valcheva, Director of the Jordan Petkov Art Foundation—the event's organizer and host—as well as forum participants, fellow artists, colleagues from the "Pencho Slaveykov" Regional Library, and residents of Varna.

The exhibition showcases 692 ex libris works from all editions of the international competition organized by the "Lyuben Karavelov" Regional Library in Ruse and will remain open to the public until September 15.

The competition's history began in 2005 with the announcement of the inaugural contest, dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Elias Canetti—the only Nobel laureate in Literature with Bulgarian roots, a native of Ruse who held Austrian citizenship. The aim of the competition is to build a collection of graphic prints for presentation both in person and virtually. The event’s theme changes annually, focusing on specific anniversaries or events—such as Bulgaria’s EU membership, the Danube (Europe’s river), cinema, freedom, cultural heritage, history, eroticism, love, wine, music, inventions, trains, fish, the Olympic Games, the telephone, and so on.

To date, the competition has attracted over 2,400 artists from around the globe, representing diverse creative schools across 63 countries in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. World-renowned artists and experts in the field of graphic art are invited to serve on the jury. Each selected participant receives a certificate and a catalogue. The competition entries are showcased in an exhibition where the award-winning artists are honored.

The Ruse Library’s extensive art collection includes not only valuable works by prominent Bulgarian graphic artists and painters, but also a dedicated ex-libris department; this specific collection comprises over 7,000 original pieces. In accordance with the competition rules, the selected miniature works are published in a bilingual, full-color catalogue that reaches audiences worldwide.