We are pleased to announce the successful completion of Phase 1 of the project “Whisper from the Past” by Derida Company (Derida Dance Center), implemented in partnership with the Kazanlak Art Gallery and with the financial support of the European Union under the NextGenerationEU programme. Kazanlak has become the starting point of an artistic journey in which ancient memory, visual art, and contemporary dance begin a shared dialogue.
The first phase of the project was dedicated to in-depth research, meetings, and immersion in the cultural, historical, and artistic heritage of Kazanlak. As part of the preparatory activities, choreographer Jivko Jelyazkov held a series of discussions with Plamen Petrov, Director of the Kazanlak Art Gallery and consultant to the project. These encounters laid the foundation of the artistic concept through an exchange of knowledge, stories, and perspectives on the Thracian past and the city’s artistic identity.
One of the key moments of this phase was the review of the gallery’s collection, which revealed the scale and depth of the local artistic heritage. As a result of this intensive process, a careful selection of artists and artworks was made – those that resonate most strongly with the aesthetic vision of the project. A central place in the future visual environment of the performance is held by the iconic painting “Achinora” by Ivan Milev, which became a starting point for the stage narrative.
During the preparatory and research phase, choreographer Zhivko Zhelyazkov visited Kazanlak and explored in detail all branches of the Kazanlak Art Gallery, as well as key archaeological sites in the region—the Kazanlak Tomb, the burial mounds Golyama Kosmatka, Shushmanets, Helvetia, The Griffins, and Ostrusha. Meetings with representatives of the Historical Museum and conversations with the gallery’s team expanded the context and added depth to the artistic exploration. The team engaged both with the city’s rich historical heritage and its contemporary cultural presence – encountering Ivan Milev’s “Achinora” and the exhibition “Aura” by Simeon Simeonov, part of the “Pulping” project curated by Maria Vasileva.
In parallel, the artistic concept of the performance continued to be refined and finalized. Work began on the technical rider, the selection of the performance location, and the creation of a 3D model of the space on which the visual artist will develop the scenographic environment. The main directions of the project’s communication and PR strategy were also discussed.
With the completion of Phase 1, “Whisper from the Past” now enters its next stage – the rehearsal process leading to the premiere of the performance. Everything experienced during these encounters gives us confidence that in March, Kazanlak will host an exceptional event where the past, visual art, and contemporary dance will intertwine in a truly unique way.
The project “Whisper from the Past” is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU under contract No. BG-RRP-11.020-0114-C01. Full responsibility for the content of this text lies with Derida Dance Ltd., and under no circumstances should it be regarded as reflecting the official position of the European Union or the National Culture Fund.
