Bridges Gallery Opens Its Doors in Lovech

Daniela Balabanova, BTA

Bridges Gallery opens its doors in Lovech this evening. The new cultural space, located in the city's Baroque Houses between two bridges — Kolyu Ficheto's Covered Bridge and the road bridge — is an initiative of Pavlin Ivanov. The idea was born years ago, when he and his wife were inspired by the atmosphere of the seaside town of Sozopol during the Apollonia Festival of Arts.

'Beautiful Sozopol has many interesting, lovely, welcoming galleries. That is where our wish to create a cultural space of our own began. We have reached an age when dreams and wishes need to become reality, so that we can enjoy them ourselves and bring joy to people in the city too,' Pavlin Ivanov told BTA.

He said the gallery's name was no coincidence, as the aim is for it to become a meeting place that creates connections — bridges between artists and people who need art for themselves or their loved ones.

'Bridges Gallery connects us as people, like the bridges from one bank of the Osam River to the other; it connects professionals in different fields, and artists with people who love and value art and feel the need to immerse themselves in the magic and spirit of an entirely different world,' Ivanov said.

The gallery's current exhibition features more than 100 paintings, sculptures and ceramic works by nearly 20 artists. Among them are Stavri Kalinov, Vladimir Kirov, Petkan Nakov, Kamen Kisimov, Magdalena Yotova, Rumen Nistorov, Yulian Yordanov and Spas Dochev. Works by artists from Pleven and Troyan can also be seen.

'I was surprised by how enthusiastic the artists we invited were. It turned out that many artists are looking for opportunities to show their art, their works and their vision. There is definitely great interest,' Ivanov added.