In 1891 a fourth child was born to the family of Todor Katsarya from Brezovo – Mincho. The child was born with an underdeveloped right hand but was to pick up the paintbrush with his left hand because he was ordained to be an artist – more celebrated abroad than in his own country which he left in 1921.

At the time he had only had three exhibitions – in Plovdiv and in Sofia where he studied at the art academy with renowned artist Ivan Mrkvička. What drove him to emigrate in 1921, was, according to his niece’s son Venelin Valyavicharski:

His ambition to excel, his longing to see and feel the big hubs of art. He first went to Vienna, then to Paris. His first exhibition in the world capital of the arts was in 1942 at Cambacérès gallery, followed by two more in 1946 and 1949 – at the prestigious galleries „La Boétie” The composer’s remains were later transferred to the Vienna central cemetery.

Photos: private library