The National Academy of Arts, the oldest and the most prestigious art academy in Bulgaria celebrates 120 years since its foundation. A great number of public figures and intellectuals stood behind the idea of ​​creating an art academy in the late 19th century. In 1864 artist and stage designer Nikolay Pavlovich proposed to establish a Bulgarian School of Drawing similar to the then-existing academies in Western Europe. Later the idea was supported by Ivan Shishmanov, Ivan Mrkvička and Anton Mitov, who were among the first teachers in the future Academy. With their support in 1895 a bill was tabled by the Minister of Education Konstantin Velichkov in the then monarchy of Bulgaria. In February the following year the bill was voted on by the National Assembly. The formal establishment of the State Drawing School became a fact by a decree of Knyaz Ferdinand of 1896. Initially, lectures and seminars were held in private homes.

The Academy’s main building on Shipka №1 Street, early twentieth century

The painting workshop, the beginning of the 20th century

Immediately after its establishment, the Academy not only regulated the professional situation of Bulgarian artists, but also began to play an important role in the cultural life of the country.

The sculpture workshop, early 20th century

This academic year has been passing under the sign of the anniversary. On November 22 in the big hall of the Academy of Sciences, at a special celebration six of the last rectors of the Academy received awards.

On the same day an exhibition entitled "120 NAA.Rectors” presenting works of art by 25 academy rectors and an exhibition entitled "100 years since the birth of prof. Vasil Jonchev” opened. On December 12, a book entitled "120 years National Art Academy ", which includes texts by art historians, shedding light on the 4 main stages in the history of the school, will be presented. The celebrations end in February 2017 with the opening of a major exhibition "120 years NAA. Lecturers" in the Sofia Art Gallery will take place.

"The anniversary was celebrated abroad too with visits to two of the Bulgarian cultural centres in Europe. In Warsaw in April a major exhibition opened during the „Poland, meet the future of Bulgarian art." And just a month ago in the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Prague an exhibition dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the birth of the first director of the State Drawing School prof. Ivan Markvichka was presented. Both exhibitions are held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Bulgaria. "

The exhibition 120 years NAA –The Rectors

These days students in 18 different majors study in the Academy in the fields of fine and applied arts, art history, restoration and design. Another interesting fact from the history of the Academy is that it is the first university in the country, which announced admission of women. This happened in the very first class of the School of Arts and it was before a big number of art academies not only in the Balkans but also in Western Europe followed the example.

English: Alexander Markov