For some thirty years now, a Bulgarian woman has been passing down her love for Bulgarian tradition and customs to children through the art of color. The art school “Kolorit” has won hundreds of international awards and earned huge international recognition thanks to its awakening art.
In 1990, in the beginning of the democratic changes in Bulgaria, Maia Ananieva came up with the idea to establish an art school for children aged 4 to 19. She opened the children’s art school in her home town of Pleven and named it “Kolorit”. Maia helps children acquire painting skills and gives them knowledge in Bulgarian embroidery, the great variety of national folk costumes and the symbolism of each flower and threat embroidered on them.
“I would say that Bulgarian folklore in all its diversity and beauty, all its fabulousness, is our art school’s brand– Maia Ananieva said in an interview for Radio Bulgaria. – Children love to draw on this topic. Many competitions feature paintings that are related to the national identity. Thus, we jointly rediscover the Bulgarian code embedded in the beautiful and lavish costumes.”
The talented children from “Kolorit” art school have so far earned hundreds of international awards on five continents. The latest big recognition came from Italy, where eleven year-old Emanuela Kunova won the first prize at the 6th International Drawing Competition “My Bulgarian Embroidered Shirt 2022”.
“Emanuela is one of the most successful children of “Kolorit” art school. In February 2022, she has won a gold medal at the International Competition “Bulgarian Soul on the Holy Land” held in Israel. Children are very curious and their love for Bulgarian folk traditions is clearly seen in their paintings. Children are very impressed by the traditional ceramic pottery and the works of Bulgarian master woodcarvers. I just help them get interested in our national wealth and be proud with it”, art teacher Maia Ananieva explained.
It turns out that the children impress foreigners as well.
“Bulgarian folk costumes were part of celebrations in Hung Kong, India, the green area in front of the White House in Washington. We have been showing our costumes in Portugal, North Macedonia, Italy and many other European countries for twenty years now. Children tell people about the Bulgarian authenticity and color, which is truly impressive”, the artist said excitedly.
In November 2011, six year-old Alexander Yankov, dressed in Bulgarian folk costume, cut the ribbon of the exhibition at an international children’s painting contest in Turkey and won the grand prize “Golden Heart”.
“I want my students to love their country, whether or not they will live abroad. Currently, I am teaching Bulgarian children who live with their families in London, Madrid and Rome. The coronavirus pandemic gave me an exceptional opportunity to offer online training to Bulgarian students abroad. These children speak Bulgarian perfectly. They are interested in Bulgarian traditions and culture and they dress in national folk costumes during holidays, which is very exciting. They hold Bulgaria in their hearts”, – contends Maia Ananieva who is already trainings the next generation of young art ambassadors in the town of Evora, Portugal.
Written by: Vesela Krasteva
English version: Kostadin Atanasov
Photos: personal libraryA school with the purpose of overcoming stereotypes about graffiti as something ugly, dirty and incomprehensible has been operating in Varna since 2019. Often the attitude towards graffiti artists is towards "people without..
The Bulgarian Antarctic Base was founded in 1988 and since 1993, by decree of President Zhelyu Zhelev, it has been named after St. Kliment Ohridski. Since then, Bulgarian Antarctic scientists have been conducting numerous experiments in the fields of..
"Fashion in the Mirror of a Century - from the mid-19th to the mid-20th Century" is the name of an exhibition that will be attracting the attention of visitors at the Varna State Archives since today. More than 120 photographs trace the changes in..
Nearly 30,000 people applauded Andrea Bocelli as he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his career in Sofia on Saturday night, September 14. The..
This year, 2024, marks the 200th anniversary of the so-called "Book of Miscellaneous Instruction" . This is the original title of the book, better known..
"I am Sofia" - this is the name of the new city festival of arts and emotions, which will be held from September 17 to 23 in the space in front of the..
+359 2 9336 661