The sculpture

The hidden message of the sculpture near the Baroque houses

While you are walking through the heart of the city, between the elegant Baroque houses and the imposing courthouse, you may have noticed a mysterious stone sculpture. It has no nameplate, no explanatory text – but it has a story worth hearing.

This impressive work is the work of the Bulgarian sculptor Kiril Naydenov, and his words best reveal the idea behind it. In his article “Who and why destroys my works?” (1992), he shares:

“The sphere is a symbol of the completeness and integrity of the world, of the unity between soul and body. Cut and composed in this way, with mounted crystal prisms (which should glow), this moraine of solid stone shows the crystalline essence of man. In this rough form I find the fragile and pure spirit that rises to God.”

Interestingly, the author never gave his work a name. This leaves room for your personal perception – everyone sees in art what they feel and understand.

A sculpture with an award… and a dramatic fate

Did you know that this project won a prestigious International Competition in Barcelona in 1983? Among 501 proposals from 17 countries, it was Kiril Naydenov’s work that took first place! The award was presented to him personally by the President of Catalonia, and the jury was chaired by the famous sculptor Giacomo Manzu.

Unfortunately, this victory had an unexpected price. In those years, the communist State Security in Bulgaria took away Naydenov’s passport, forbidding him to travel and work in Paris. A Bulgarian artist with international recognition – stopped by his own country.

Today, the sculpture remains here, in the heart of the city, as a silent witness to this history. The next time you pass by it, stop for a moment. Look at the shapes, feel the message. What do you see?