For some thirty years now, a Bulgarian woman has been passing down her love for Bulgarian tradition and customs to children through the art of color. The art school “Kolorit” has won hundreds of international awards and earned huge international recognition thanks to its awakening art.

In 1990, in the beginning of the democratic changes in Bulgaria, Maia Ananieva came up with the idea to establish an art school for children aged 4 to 19. She opened the children’s art school in her home town of Pleven and named it “Kolorit”. Maia helps children acquire painting skills and gives them knowledge in Bulgarian embroidery, the great variety of national folk costumes and the symbolism of each flower and threat embroidered on them.

“I would say that Bulgarian folklore in all its diversity and beauty, all its fabulousness, is our art school’s brand– Maia Ananieva said in an interview for Radio Bulgaria. – Children love to draw on this topic. Many competitions feature paintings that are related to the national identity. Thus, we jointly rediscover the Bulgarian code embedded in the beautiful and lavish costumes.”

The talented children from “Kolorit” art school have so far earned hundreds of international awards on five continents. The latest big recognition came from Italy, where eleven year-old Emanuela Kunova won the first prize at the 6^th International Drawing Competition “My Bulgarian Embroidered Shirt 2022”.

“Emanuela is one of the most successful children of “Kolorit” art school. In February 2022, she has won a gold medal at the International Competition “Bulgarian Soul on the Holy Land” held in Israel. Children are very curious and their love for Bulgarian folk traditions is clearly seen in their paintings. Children are very impressed by the traditional ceramic pottery and the works of Bulgarian master woodcarvers. I just help them get interested in our national wealth and be proud with it”, art teacher Maia Ananieva explained.

It turns out that the children impress foreigners as well.

“Bulgarian folk costumes were part of celebrations in Hung Kong, India, the green area in front of the White House in Washington. We have been showing our costumes in Portugal, North Macedonia, Italy and many other European countries for twenty years now. Children tell people about the Bulgarian authenticity and color, which is truly impressive”, the artist said excitedly.

In November 2011, six year-old Alexander Yankov, dressed in Bulgarian folk costume, cut the ribbon of the exhibition at an international children’s painting contest in Turkey and won the grand prize “Golden Heart”.

“I want my students to love their country, whether or not they will live abroad. Currently, I am teaching Bulgarian children who live with their families in London, Madrid and Rome. The coronavirus pandemic gave me an exceptional opportunity to offer online training to Bulgarian students abroad. These children speak Bulgarian perfectly. They are interested in Bulgarian traditions and culture and they dress in national folk costumes during holidays, which is very exciting. They hold Bulgaria in their hearts”, – contends Maia Ananieva who is already trainings the next generation of young art ambassadors in the town of Evora, Portugal.

Written by: Vesela Krasteva

English version: Kostadin Atanasov