New Horizons

The idea of developing a second project in Northern Bulgaria, specifically in the Municipality of Levski, was provoked by the realization of the upcoming Georgi Partsalev Museum in the city centre. Amateras Foundation’s decentralisation of cultural activities through creative residencies beyond the usual metropolitan environment is flourishing through “New Horizons”. The initiative is implemented in collaboration with the city government.

“New Horizons” provides an opportunity to present foreign contemporary art and generate a unique collection. Levski Municipality has the ambition to develop this project into a comprehensive cultural strategy for the city and to attract attention for temporary visiting exhibitions from Bulgaria and abroad. The main goal of the project is to establish it over time as part of the city’s cultural calendar, creating year-round events in the cultural life of the community. The residency also marks the beginning of a project which includes a cultural complex with the existing community centre and amphitheatre, and a future museum of the town’s famous-born actor Georgi Partsalev. The municipality of Levski is also planning to create an ethnographic complex with traditional and contemporary art studios that will function year-round, and the residency program will be the representative format through which artists from around the world will be invited.

The curator’s concept includes annual invitations to artists from foreign countries to present works created on-site during their stay in the city. The exhibition will be held in the city of Levski. The project will build cultural exchange through events, talks, demonstrations, presentations, workshops and the involvement of the artists in the life of the city. “New Horizons” starts with the presentation of artists from Argentina, Bulgaria, South Korea, and Japan. In the following years, the number of guest countries is set to grow.

Currently, negotiations are underway with representatives from Germany (2024), Scandinavia, Iceland (2025) and Brazil (2026).

Curator: Daniela Todorova

Curators responsible for the countries’ representation:
Leticia Burgos (Argentina)
Kakuko Ishii (Japan)
Ko Somi Somidang (Republic of Korea)

The project is realized under the auspices of:
H.E. Alfredo Atanasoff, Ambassador of Argentina to Bulgaria
H.E. Mr Narahira Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria
H.E. Mr. Jongin Bae, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bulgaria

Upcoming plain air with a focus on Germany in 2025.

2024

• Exhibition “Bulgaria – South Korea”, part of “New Horizons”, artists from both countries, paper art, sculpture, painting, prints, jewellery, and ceramics. An important highlight is the accompanying educational events, Community Centre “Georgi Partsalev” (30 July – 30 August) with plein air (25 – 31 July);
• Workshop for children by Korean artists (27 July);
• Demonstrations of Bulgarian customs, dances, and original Bulgarian costumes, Taraklaka Site, Levski Municipality (29 June).

2023

• Exhibition “Bulgaria – Argentina – Japan”, part of “New Horizons” with artists from the three countries, paper art, sculpture, prints, installations, Community Centre “Georgi Partsalev” (3 July – 3 August) with plein air (28 June – 4 July);
• Demonstrations and reenactment of Bulgarian customs, Village of Trunchovitsa (29 June);
• Workshop “Interpretations of the Japanese woodcut Ukiyo-e” by Leticia Burgos from Argentina (1 July);
• Workshop “Japanese fans made with Sumi-e technique” by Kenji Sato from Japan (2 July);
• Demonstrations of Bulgarian customs and original Bulgarian costumes, Taraklaka Site, Levski Municipality (29 July).

Amateras Foundation expresses its gratitude to all participants playing a role in this project:

Argentina: Leticia Burgos and Monica Sanguinetti;
Bulgaria: Todor Todorov, Daniela Todorova and Petur Lazarov;
Japan: Kakuko Ishii, Ichiro Matsuo, Kenji Sato and Mayumi Tsukuda;
South Korea: Somi Ko Somidang, Hyejeong Ko, Kim Jihye, Son Mong Joo, Hangjea Gong and Zee Soo Lee