Exlibris exhibition

Description :

The Public Central Library of Kalamata is hosting on the ground floor of the Kalamata Cultural Center the Exlibris exhibition of the Lyuben Karavelov Regional Library – Ruse, one of the oldest and most important libraries in Bulgaria, founded 138 years ago.

The exhibition will run from March 10 to 22 and is part of the International Exlibris Competition, which started in 2005 on the initiative of the Ruse Library. The competition takes place annually and aims to honor significant historical, social, and contemporary events through the uniqueness of the Exlibris: a small graphic work that serves as a symbol of belonging and as a living connection between the book, collective memory, and intangible cultural heritage. Exlibris captures the relationship between the creator, the book, the reader, time, and space.

Each edition of the competition has its own theme, inspired by cultural and significant events in Bulgaria and around the world. Themes such as the Danube, Europe’s great river, cinema, freedom, cultural heritage, history, love, wine, music, inventions, trains, fish, or the Olympic Games have allowed artists to transform their personal experiences and ideas into small-scale but highly artistic graphic works.

The competition is governed by specific rules, with awards including the Grand Prix and the Lyuben Karavelov Regional Library Prize. The jury includes internationally recognized artists and experts in graphic arts. All selected participants receive a certificate and a printed catalog, while the works are exhibited at the Ruse Library and presented to the public in both physical and digital formats.

To date, over 2,300 artists from 63 countries in Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America have participated in the competition, representing various artistic schools and trends. The Ruse Library’s rich collection includes a special Exlibris section with over 6,700 original works, making it unique in Southeastern Europe. According to the competition rules, selected works are published in a bilingual color catalog distributed internationally.

The current exhibition in Kalamata presents a small but representative part of this important collection, featuring works by Greek and Bulgarian artists, as well as some award-winning Exlibris. Greek artists have participated in the competition since 2007, from its third edition onwards.

In the context of its ongoing effort to highlight the arts of the book and promote dialogue with international cultural institutions, the Public Central Library of Kalamata invites the public to explore a unique world where graphic art, memory, and identity meet the book.

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