We took some Bulgarian friends to Shumen today, so we had the opportunity to visit the ‘Monument to 1300 years of Bulgaria’, which sits above the city on the Shumen Plateau.
You can see the monument from miles away as you approach the city, and it dominates the landscape, like so much public art from the Communist era. Created by Bulgarian sculptors Krum Damyanov and Ivan Slavov in 1981, it celebrates the defining moments and stories behind the creation of the Bulgarian State and nation.
The monolithic, cubist style is very impressive, and the scale of the construction is the first thing that hits you as you approach. It’s huge! It really reminded us of some of the cityscapes in ‘The Chronicles of Riddick‘, and probably ranks as the most impressive piece of public art we’ve seen. Even if you’re not into cubist or modern art, it’s still well worth a visit.
Shumen
Not normally my kind of thing, but that is amazing!
Image on right in third row looks like you Joe, maybe in your past life????
That is why you are settling in so well! Interesting art very different, I like it, but not for all I am sure
Very interesting! It looks like an amazing place. I’m glad you were able to experience it.
Great images Joe – stark but brilliant monument. Quite spooky as the images portray such feeling, but with barely a detail on the faces.