THE ROAD TO ART (1941) | ПЪТЯТ КЪМЪ ИЗКУСТВОТО (1941)
2026.02.05
Every year, the beginning of February brings the spirit of excitement. It invites us to look back to the Academy's history.
130 years ago, on 6 February 1896, Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria signed Decree No. 4 by which the Law on the State School of Drawing was approved. By Decree No. 16 of the Council of Ministers, the National Academy of Art opened its Branch in Burgas on 5 February 2018.
The founding of the State School of Drawing at the end of the 19th century and the School's first major successes in the following decades brought that necessary educational and cultural emphasis, without which Bulgarian artistic culture in that period would have remained extremely limited and undeveloped. The state care for this cultural institute in the first years of its existence had various dimensions: support in organising exhibitions, state commissions, material subsidies, provision of private buildings for its needs. The monarch's interests, expressed through his patronage, also were integrated in the process towards stimulating and encouraging native art. Prince Ferdinand's personal commitment to art education is particularly evident in the establishment of the School of Drawing.
Milena Balcheva-Bozhkova, PhD
On this occasion, the National Academy of Art is presenting the filmThe Road to Art.for the first time. The documentary was made to mark the 45th anniversary since the founding of the Academy.
The National Academy of Art expresses its gratitude to Prof. Ivana Eneva (1944–2022) for having donated the film "The Road to Art".
With appreciation to the Bulgarian National Television for digitising the film about the National Academy of Art
With appreciation to the Bulgarian National Television for digitising the film about the National Academy of Art
Regrettably, the film's original audio was absent, which necessitated adding of subtitles and music.
Creators Kerber & Penkov (Cinematography Kerber)
Film text Milena Balcheva-Bozhkova
Montage and sound Tanya Decheva
Musical performance Regent Club Orchestra
Graphic design Zhivka Raykova and Ivaylo Todorov
Editing and English translation Sylvia Miloslavova
Organisation and distribution Dimitrina Spasova
© National Academy of Art
Watch the film on the YouTube channel of the national Academy of Art Пътят къмъ изкуството (1941) (Bulg. subtitles) The Road to Art (1941) (Eng. subtitles)
The restoration and distribution of the film THE ROAD TO ART was made possible within the framework of the 2025 Competition for Funding Projects on the Scientific Research and Artistic Activities at the National Academy of Art.