The traveling exhibition of the 6th International Exlibris Competition Varna ends its tour in Pomorie!
The traveling exhibition of the Sixth International ExLibris Competition Varna, organized by the Jordan Petkov Art Foundation, concludes its journey in Pomorie. Starting from June 2, 2026, the competition exhibition will be hosted by the Dechko Stoev Art Gallery in the seaside town. The realization of the traveling exhibition is financially supported by the National Culture Fund under the program “Creation and/or Distribution – Small Projects 2025”.
A record number of 364 artists from 53 countries around the world participated in the sixth edition of the competition. Of these, 178 artists from 38 countries were selected for the exhibition and award competition. The international jury, chaired by Associate Professor Dimo Kolibarov and including members Anna Tikhonova-Yordanova (Belarus), Chris Verheyen (Belgium), Dimo Milanov, and Rumen Nechev, awarded 24 prizes and certificates to artists from 13 countries. Residents and visitors of Pomorie will enjoy graphic works by renowned artists from all over the world, including internationally recognized names in the field of miniature graphics and ex libris such as Ryszard Balon from Poland, winner of the First Prize in the competition; Kalina Kraleva, winner of the Second Prize; and Jochen Kubik from Germany, recipient of the Third Prize. The exhibition will also feature Bulgarian artists Onnik Karanfilyan, Petar Lazarov, Hristo Naydenov, as well as Lembit Lohmus from Estonia, Sergiy Hrapov from Ukraine, Shigeki Tomura from Japan, Deborah Chapman from Canada, Maria Maddalena Tuccelli from Italy, and others.
The term ex libris comes from the Latin phrase “ex libris,” meaning “from the books of” or “from the library of.” In the past, exlibris prints were placed on the inside cover or one of the first pages of a book to indicate its owner. The first patrons of exlibris artworks were people who owned large libraries. Over time, this function gradually lost its importance, and so-called “collector’s” exlibris prints began to emerge. These were commissioned by passionate collectors from around the world, who exchanged them among themselves. Such collectors organize annual meetings throughout Europe — in Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Switzerland — where they present their collections. The most important event of this kind, however, is the world congress of the International Federation of ExLibris Societies (FISAE), held once every two years. For the first time, such a congress will take place in Bulgaria from September 1 to 6, 2026, organized by the Jordan Petkov Art Foundation in Varna.
In recent years, an active exlibris scene has developed in Varna, with Gallery Largo serving as its main driving force. Since 2010, the gallery has organized dozens of events dedicated to printmaking, while the International ExLibris Competition has already established itself as one of the most significant international forums in Europe. Across its six editions, more than 850 artists from various countries have participated, with over 300–350 of them represented in the exhibitions.
The International ExLibris Competition Varna exhibition has been traveling since the competition’s establishment in 2014. Over the past 12 years, besides Varna, it has been presented numerous times in Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Kazanlak, Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen, Dobrich, Ruse, Sliven, Pomorie, Sevlievo, Novi Pazar, and Perushtitsa — in art schools, universities, galleries, museums, and community cultural centers. Since its inception, the competition has been realized with the support of the Municipality of Varna through the Culture Fund, while the traveling exhibitions in 2024 and 2026 have been supported by the National Culture Fund. The exhibition will remain on display in Pomorie until June 16, 2026.
Nelly Valcheva, Executive Director
International ExLibris Competition Varna
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