International Exlibris Competition Varna again visits the National Art School "Tsanko Lavrenov" in Plovdiv
From April 24, 2026, the International Exlibris Competition Varna will once again be presented to the students and teachers of the National Art School "Tsanko Lavrenov" in Plovdiv. The realization of this visit is possible thanks to the financial support of the National Fund "Culture" under the program "Creation and/or Distribution - Small Projects 2025".
The Plovdiv Art School is among the most important and beloved stops on the exhibition route. Each edition of the competition attracts strong interest from the young artists there, who actively participate and follow the exhibition with interest. It is no coincidence that in recent years the established Plovdiv graphic artist Rumen Nechev has been part of the jury of the Varna's competition. Plovdiv, with its rich traditions in graphic art and many prominent artists, naturally establishes itself as a key center in the exhibition's journey.
The bookplate represents one of the most subtle and conceptually saturated directions in graphics. Derived from the Latin "ex libris" ("from the books of"), it originally served as a sign of belonging to the book. Today, however, the ex-libris has outgrown its purely practical function and has acquired an independent artistic expression. Within a limited format, it unites symbolism, personal messages and visual ideas, creating a unique portrait of both the owner and the era in which it was created.
Over the past fifteen years, an active and recognizable scene dedicated to this specific art form has been building in Varna, with the Largo Gallery playing a leading role in its development. Since 2010, the gallery has organized dozens of events dedicated to graphics, and the International Exlibris Competition is gradually establishing itself as a significant international forum. Over 850 authors from different countries have participated in its six editions, with over 300 of them represented in the exhibitions.
As a logical continuation of this activity, Largo Gallery and the Jordan Petkov Art Foundation are creating a traveling exhibition with a selection from the competition. It has already been presented in dozens of cultural and educational institutions – art schools, universities, galleries and museums – in 14 Bulgarian cities. From the very beginning, the competition has been implemented with the support of the Varna Municipality through the Culture Fund, and the traveling exhibitions in 2024 and 2026 are supported by the National Culture Fund. The exhibition will be a guest at the Plovdiv Art School until May 13, 2026, after which it will travel to Sliven.
Nelly Valcheva, Executive Director
International Exlibris Competition Varna
Back To News