In 2026, the ‘13 Centuries Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund celebrates the 45th anniversary since its establishment and 20 years since the opening of Gabenski Gallery, its regional centre in Tryavna.
On this occasion, on 24 April 2026, NEF ‘13 Centuries Bulgaria’ organises an exhibition titled ‘Revivalist Prints’, with works from private collections, including prints from the Rila Monastery, Mount Athos, and from the Troyan and Samokov Schools.
The prints are made by engraving a drawing onto a wooden base; the raised image is inked to produce an impression, and then printed on paper using a press. These images were very common during the Bulgarian National Revival. For the most part, they depicted canonical images of saints, gospel scenes, a variety of religious subjects and legends, and their figural characteristics were similar to that of the icon. They were widely distributed—initially brought by pilgrims who visited the Holy Sepulchre or Mount Athos. Gradually, this graphic technique was fully mastered and developed in the country and mainly in Bulgarian monasteries.
Many of the prints tell the stories of monasteries and cloisters, and depict Bulgarian saints and clergymen.
The exhibition can be viewed until 24 May 2026.