Art Lovers and Academics in Bulgaria Appreciate the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren

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Oct. 2, 2026 | By a Minghui correspondent in Bulgaria

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners took advantage of the summer vacation season to bring the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren (Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance) International Exhibition to Bulgaria. The artworks toured the cities of Bansko, Gorna Oryahovitsa, and Varna.

Many Bulgarians said these paintings were a welcome addition to their cultural repertoire. They praised the artists’ skill and the paintings’ inspirational and deeply spiritual aspects.

Bringing the Exhibition to Bansko

Nestled at the foot of the Northern Pirin Mountains, the international ski resort of Bansko attracts visitors during the hot summer with its cool mountain air, architecture, historic past, folklore, and traditions.

The Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren International Exhibition was held in Bansko from July 2 to 12, 2026. (Minghui.org)

Thirty paintings from the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren exhibition were displayed from July 2 to 12, 2026, at the town museum in Bansko.

Stratsimir works at the museum (Minghui.org)

Stratsimir, a worker at the museum, was impressed by the way the exhibition was arranged and likened the experience to a journey through the world of the Falun Dafa practitioners’ spiritual state. He felt that after viewing all the paintings, one can immerse themselves in both the light and the darkness that many who practice Falun Dafa traverse.

Regarding how the works portray the practitioners’ resistance in the face of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of their faith, he thought it very inspirational. “It’s wonderful that a voice is being given to matters that great efforts have been made to silence. I find it inspiring,” said Stratsimir.

Bulgarian Academics Marvel at Artworks in Gorna Oryahovitsa

The exhibition’s next stop, Gorna Oryahovitsa, is situated along the Yantra River and the city is one of the largest in Northern Bulgaria. Forty-six paintings were displayed at the Nedyalko Karaneshev Exhibition Halls, from July 16 to 30.

Dr. Denitsa Ivanova-Alexandrova (Minghui.org)

Dr. Denitsa Ivanova-Alexandrova is director of the exhibition halls and a lecturer at the Department of Graphic Arts at St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo. She welcomed people who came to the exhibit and drew their attention to the dual impact of the paintings, a characteristic that stood out to her about all the paintings.

On the one hand, she said, they are works of art with a “calm and harmonious composition” and classical technique. On the other hand, she noted, they convey a clearly expressed ethical message and invite the viewer to reflect on issues that go beyond the artistic experience.

Dr. Ivanova-Aleksandrova said it is precisely this combination of aesthetics and moral commitment, that “transforms the exhibition into a unique visual narrative about the power of the human spirit, regardless of whether the viewer shares the religious or philosophical framework within which the works were created.”

Prof. Radoslav Radev (Minghui.org)

Among the guests at the opening was Professor Radoslav Radev, a Bulgarian literary historian and professor at the University of Veliko Tarnovo. Professor Radev shared his thoughts about the exhibition, and noted that Falun Dafa is connected to personal experience and is associated with key concepts such as kindness and patience—concepts that are also central to other religions.

He added that what one must consider is that this exhibition is designed so that the idea behind the painting radiates outward naturally and is not forcefully imposed.

He felt this is very well captured and very well thought out through the lens of human destiny. “In fact, the person behind all of this—the message in this teaching and, in that sense, faith in these things—comes into focus when we think of it as destiny. Conveyed through human destiny. Perhaps that is the message of this exhibition.”

Kolyo Tabakov (Minghui.org)

Kolyo Tabakov is a renowned artist, a native of Gorna Oryahovitsa and an honorary citizen of the city. He is known for his self-taught talent and his profound sense of color and hue.

Tabakov expressed his admiration and appreciation for the paintings and praised the exceptionally masterful use of colors and techniques. Deeply moved by the exhibition, he brought his wife and daughter the following day.

His wife, Mrs. Tabakova, was very impressed by the paintings and said, “Good begets good, while violence is born of people with evil intentions.” Their daughter recognized the spiritual principles in her own understanding of life and the universe. She was interested in Falun Dafa, and said she prayed for the salvation of all good and peaceful people.

Artist in Varna Moved by Practitioners’ Dedication to Goodness

The third stop in this summer tour, Varna, has hosted the exhibition twice before. This time, 32 paintings were displayed in the Exhibition Hall of Radio Varna—one of the six regional centers of Bulgarian National Radio (BNR)—from August 10 to August 20.

This is the third time the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition was held in Varna. (Minghui.org)

Iva who owns an art studio views the paintings. (Minghui.org)

Among the guests at the opening was Iva, an art lover who owns an art studio. She said she appreciates all forms of creativity, these artworks are monumental and impressive. She expressed her admiration for the reason practitioners created and presented these paintings.

She hadn’t known about the persecution until she signed the petition calling for an end to the injustice. She said, “The difference between life and the afterlife is always a hair’s breadth away,” and everything in the exhibition is expressed very well.

She expressed her admiration for the artists and said, “The very fact that you’ve decided to follow the good rather than the other side really moves me personally, and I thank you. It really energized me!”

Svetlana views the paintings. (Minghui.org)

Svetlana from Russia is a dance instructor who lives and works in Varna. While viewing the exhibition, which she learned about on Facebook, she discovered something about herself that she wished to share: “People, regardless of their religion, are equal.”

Svetlana said the paintings which depict angels, angelic beings, and large angels, and the soul is depicted in some of them. She finds common themes between the paintings and Christian icons. She notes that she is from Kazan, where the predominant religion is Islam. After viewing the artworks she said that if all people lived by the principles of Falun Dafa then earth would be a paradise.