Interpretation of the image of St. Francis de Sales in the church stained glass window in Geneva 19th – 20th century

The event is part of a series of cultural and discussion seminars held in the heart of Sofia, in a new space for culture, art, spiritual beauty and enlightenment - NEXUS space. Our idea is to turn the space into a cultural center and to create a community of enthusiasts and thinking people, aimed at encouraging and developing the creative sector in the capital and beyond.

 

The topics included in the series will be presented in an accessible language and are aimed at the general public. They are suitable for schoolchildren, university students and anyone wishing to enrich their general culture and knowledge on the relevant topics. Everyone is welcome!

 

Who is the guest lecturer at this event?

 

Yulian Raichev is a doctor of art history and fine arts at the National Academy of Arts, Sofia. In 2014 he defended his dissertation on the topic: "Development of stained glass in the decorative and applied arts in Bulgaria in the 1930s - 1950s of the 20th century". He is pursuing a second doctoral degree in art history at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and is working on a dissertation on the topic: "Modern Religious Stained Glass in Romansh Switzerland 1900-1960. Iconography, Composition, Liturgical Space".

 

Extensive lecturing experience:

 

He teaches at UNIBIT, Sofia in the disciplines: "History of Bulgarian Fine Arts" and "Art History Expertise of Fine and Decorative and Applied Arts".

 

He is a lecturer in the discipline "Art History Analysis" in the post-graduate qualification course "Management and Evaluation of Cultural and Artistic Values" at the Institute of Contemporary Art, UNWE.

 

Active curatorial and art history experience:

 

Over the years, he has been the curator of numerous exhibitions in various galleries and cultural institutions, including the Italian Cultural Institute, Sofia, the Anima Gallery, the Hilton Hotel, etc.

 

In the period 2012-2015 he was a curator in the “Art in the 20th Century” department at the National Gallery - Square 500.

 

What is the theme of the cultural and discussion seminar and what will you learn?

 

Topic:

 

"Interpretation of the image of St. Francis de Sales in the church stained glass window in Geneva 19th - 20th centuries".

 

The seminar will examine:

 

- the sacred and pious image in the stained glass windows of the 19th century as a product of collective creative thought;

 

- individual creative solutions of modernist artists for church stained glass windows in the 20th century.

 

St. Francis de Sales is among the most revered saints of the Catholic community in Geneva. Tracing his images, we will make a kind of journey through time: from the mid-19th century to the 1970s and we will get acquainted with the style trends of two eras.

 

In the 19th century, the "Historicist" style, also known as "Saint Sulpice", was popular. The specificity of this style limited the expressive techniques within an art school.

 

In the 20th century, modernist artists fought to modernize church art, introducing the new aesthetics of the author's stained glass.

 

When? - October 10, 2025 (Friday), from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

 

Ticket price:

 

- regular ticket - 20 BGN/10.23 EUR

 

- ticket for students, pensioners and people with disabilities - 15 BGN/7.67 EUR

 

The ticket price includes a seminar-discussion part and a cocktail part of a glass of wine, water (500 ml.) and a small treat on a buffet table.

 

Places are LIMITED!