Screening “Bulgarian Myths and Legends”
On February 19, at 6:00 PM, the Art Gallery – Ruse will present a new selection of films on the theme “Bulgarian Myths and Legends”, prepared by Kinematograf – the first platform in Bulgaria focused entirely on short films.
The program brings together extremely different, but with something in common, films – a thread that takes us to the depth of Bulgarian traditions and culture, revealing myths, legends and even mysteries that are still alive today. The screening will take us out of the rhythms of the city, will make us listen to the silence of the Bulgarian mountains and who knows, maybe we will hear the whisper of long-forgotten, but familiar messages deep within us, which will remind us of the interconnectedness of everything and that there is still something magical in life.
Entrance to the event is free, and the program is suitable for all ages.
Program:
Maybe Nothing in Common (2022) / dir. Svetoslav Draganov
The film brings together the stories of several people from the Rhodope city of Smolyan. Each of them shows us and tells us their extremely interesting fate, saturated with many emotions. Out of several thousand people living in the new center of the city of Smolyan, four open the doors of their homes and hearts to tell more about love, the will to live, theater and other stories.
Vajdudula (2023) / dir. Svetla Rangelova
In the midst of summer, drought comes. Matei and Ina meet on the intercity bus. After their bus breaks down, the two decide to seek help in the neighboring village. There they are greeted by its inhabitants – several elderly grandmothers. The grandmothers convince Ina to participate in a prayer for rain. A ritual that they prepare to save themselves from the drought. And which cannot happen without the participation of a girl-vaidudula. The two young men decide to stay and are involved in this rite.
The Master of Shoes (2023) / dir. Dimitar Bogoslovov
“The Master of Shoes“ is an intimate look at the ancient Bulgarian craft of making tservuli, through the eyes of a skilled craftsman. The film unfolds an emotional journey that follows every stage of this masterful process – from the raw leather to the finished shoes, with every seam and knot filled with love and respect for tradition. Through this portrait of the craftsman and his work, the film offers a unique look at the richness and depth of Bulgarian culture and craftsmanship.
A Book About People (2021) / dir. Vladislav Lakov
In the last week of her summer internship in her late grandmother’s village, librarian Slavina is faced with a difficult choice. To throw away the village books, obeying the obviously corrupt regulations of her boss Dimitrova, or to save the only source of information for the elderly population, condemning herself to exile in the village.
Surva (2023) / dir. Kalina Goranova
Kalina Goranova’s film “Surva” tells the story of an old Bulgarian tradition, in which people gather together, dress them in scary costumes and send them outside to drive away the evil spirits of darkness and cold. The tradition takes place every year on January 13 and leads.
