Upovanie

Discipline, persistence, and courage give us stability in both good and bad times and help us stay on the right path. These qualities are key to mountaineering as well — the sport that inspired the mural “UPOVANIE” (m. Hope/Trust), a metaphor for striving to reach new summits in life.

Implementation period: 22–28 August 2025
Location: Block 109-A, Geo Milev District, Sofia, Bulgaria
Total area: 109 sq.m.

Personal growth and the pursuit of overcoming challenges are the main ideas represented in the artistic concept of the mural. The symbolic ascent of the human figure holding his safety rope represents how each of us carries our own responsibility, hope, and willpower in facing life’s obstacles.

This scene reminds us that although the path is personal, our connection to others on a collective level — beyond interpersonal relationships — symbolized by the rope line in the composition, is essential for support, reciprocity, and shared strength.

The mountain is not merely a natural element; it is a metaphor for our inner peaks — difficult, often foggy and steep, yet achievable.

The Slovenian Embassy recognized the theme of mountaineering as close to home, representing a country with a well-developed mountain tourism culture. Bulgaria and Slovenia share a love for high mountains, and this collaboration reflects the friendship between the two countries through the artistic vision of the two creators: Bulgarian mural artist Ventsislav Yosifov – Jermain and Slovenian photographer Jaka Bulc.

„For me, the mountain has always been a symbol of greatness and humility. I was born in Sofia, and as a child I spent my summers at the foothills of Rila. That is when I grew to love the mountains, and I have become accustomed to always having them close. Later, winter sports there brought me many new friends and challenges. Over the years, the mountain became one of my main sources of artistic inspiration.
In ‘Trust’, the central theme of mountaineering as a metaphor for life shows, on the one hand, the power of the mountain and the reverence it commands, and on the other, that both in sport and in life, one must calmly and confidently carve their way forward toward their goal” – Jermain shares about his artistic concept.

Jaka Bulc, for his part, seeks vivid colors and enjoys strong contrast. He photographs urban and natural landscapes, often incorporating the human figure within them. He holds a master’s degree in cultural studies, and his photographs have been published in numerous international outlets, such as Das Magazin. He is also a translator and an avid skier. Bulc documented the mural’s creation process, the reactions of passersby, and made a parallel between the artwork and the mountain.

The consultant for “Trust” was the legendary skier, mountaineer, and longtime mountain and air rescue volunteer Krasimir Stoyanov. Throughout the preparation he shared numerous stories and photographs from past mountain adventures, which served as inspiration for the mural. At the beginning of the project, the team made an ascent to Mount Malyovitsa, guided by the expert, as part of an authentic Bulgarian–Slovenian exchange in the mountains.

The goal of the project is to direct public attention toward the vital connection between humans and nature, to remind of the enduring human will in the mountains, and the need to uphold it every day. With this mural, we wish to pay tribute to Bulgarian mountaineers.

The creation of the large-scale artwork took place from 22 to 28 August. The official opening was held on the evening of the final day. Alongside Ventsislav Yosifov – Jermain and Jaka Bulc, present were Delyana Angelova and Ioan Tzenkov – co-founders of Visionary; representatives of the “Sofia – European Capital of Sport” Foundation: Damyan Dikov – Executive Director and Dimitar Petrov – Board Member and Municipal Councilor; Mr. Matjaž Ingolič – Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Bulgaria; as well as Georgi Iliev, Mayor of Slatina District. Also attending were Krasimir Stoyanov, Radoslava Nenova – wife of the late mountaineer Boyan Petrov, mountaineers, mountain enthusiasts, and residents of Geo Milev.

In addition to mountaineering, the project is connected to the 130th anniversary of the establishment of organized tourism in Bulgaria, celebrated on 25 August.

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The project is part of the calendar of the “Sofia – European Capital of Sport” Foundation and is carried out in partnership with the Embassy of Slovenia in Bulgaria. The creation of the mural also commemorates the 130th anniversary of organized tourism in Bulgaria, marked on 25 August.

Photos: Jaka Bulc, Kostadin Ekzarov, Jermain