OVER 4 MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE BULGARIAN EXHIBITION AT THE LOUVRE

“Bulgaria is returning to its place of a respected European country, after it was in isolation for a year and a half”, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said during the official opening of the exhibition entitled The Epic of the Thracian Kings – Archeological Discoveries in Bulgaria at the Louvre Museum in Paris. According to the Prime Minister, the fact that the Louvre opened its doors to a Bulgarian exhibition was a sign of respect towards Bulgaria and what was being done, towards the government, towards ministers, towards culture. “[Culture] Minister Rashidov raised the bar very high,” the Prime Minister added.

 

 
Prime Minister Borissov highlighted the fact that French President Francois Holland and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, as well as former President Sarkozy, had noted how important and stable Bulgaria was and what a good partner it was as a country. “Now we need more investors in order to become an average European country, which we are in reality and can be, with joint efforts”, the Prime Minister said.

“Entering this building, we enter the history of world culture and we are now recognized as a globally important country in the cultural domain”, Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov said. “We have masterpieces. We are a nation that rests on three cultures. We should be proud and have more self-esteem,” Rashidov stressed, adding that the exhibition had already received invitations from other places.

The Bulgarian exhibition is realized thanks to joint efforts of the Council of Ministers, the Ministries of Culture, Tourism, Economy, Foreign Affairs, the Bulgarian Embassy in Paris, and the French Embassy in Sofia.

Part of the delegation led by Prime Minister Borissov was Deputy Prime Minister Rumiana Bachvarova, who is in charge of horizontal policies, including coordination of culture-related policies and activities. “This is the first ever Bulgarian exhibition at the Louvre Museum. Our efforts are directed towards promoting Bulgaria through its ancient and unique historic and cultural heritage. Let us, like the outside world, rediscover the Bulgarian identity, “ Deputy Prime Minister Bachvarova said.

As part of the cultural program that accompanies the opening of the exhibition, a number of other Bulgarian events will be held in the French capital until the end of June to present the country, its culture and traditions, as well as tourism and investment opportunities.

The Prime Minister added that he would discuss to have items from the Louvre collection on exhibit in Bulgaria.

Visitors of the landmark French museum will be able to enjoy 1 628 artifacts from 17 Bulgarian museums displayed in four halls in the Richelieu Wing,  the central piece being a life-size bronze head of Thracian ruler Seuthes III. Likewise, the Panagyurishte ritual beverage set — the most prized gold treasure of the inhabitants of ancient Thrace, will arouse great interest.

Beyond the stunning gold and silver objects, the exhibition showcases the tools used to carve the pieces, thus giving an insight into the lifestyle of the Thracian people.

The exact replicas of four Thracian tombs from central Bulgaria, where some of the precious finds were uncovered, are displayed for the first time.

The exhibition will provide an opportunity to promote the image of Bulgaria as one of the European countries with the richest cultural heritage, famous also for the fact that the ancient Thracian singer and musician Orpheus was born and lived on its land.

The preparation of the exhibition started back in 2012 when Bulgarian Minister of Culture Vezhdi Rashidov signed a five-year cooperation agreement with the Louvre.