The first big mural – thoughts shared by Veneta Marinova
In 2025, Visionary launched "Cycle of Knowledge," a long-term initiative aimed at creating a modern and inspiring living environment in Sofia’s "Studentski Grad" (Student City). At the heart of the project lies the theme of knowledge and its intergenerational exchange as a driving force for societal progress and development. A key component of the project is the authentic exchange of knowledge between generations and the direct involvement of students from various disciplines, enabling them to help shape the "Studentski Grad" environment according to their own vision.
The mural "Between the Pages" is the work of the talented young artist Veneta Marinova, a Master’s graduate in Mural Painting from the National Academy of Art. The artwork depicts knowledge as a living, breathing cycle that connects generations. At the center of the composition stands a female figure, evoking the beauty of knowledge itself and curiosity as an innate human trait.
Veneta won the annual art project competition organized by Visionary and the National Academy of Art as part of the "Cycle of Knowledge" initiative - competing against five other students from the Mural Painting department, and had the opportunity to create her first large-scale work in an actual urban setting last September. Here is what she shares about the experience, which became a pivotal part of her development as an artist:
The idea for the mural began, of course, long before I actually reached the wall itself. As with most projects, everything started with a small sketch - working out the composition, shapes, and colors, and trying to visualize how it all would look in the real-world environment.
"Transferring this small sketch onto the large wall was an exciting challenge for me."
Thanks to everyone I worked with, I managed to complete the mural in eight days - an achievement I consider significant given the scale of the project. Along the way, I had to make decisions regarding specific details of the mural and adapt to various conditions, such as strong winds, rain, and cold weather on certain days. One particular challenge I successfully overcame was working at heights.
It was important to me that the topic "The Cycle of Knowledge" be recognizable in my mural, yet also contain enough visual details to be discovered gradually by the viewers. Beyond the wall itself, this theme also resonated among everyone involved in the project - the people I worked alongside: my professors at the National Academy of Art, to whom I owe my knowledge, experience, and love for mural painting; Yoan, who was my mentor and was always ready to assist and offer advice; Sve, who was working on the other wall of the same building and was happy to share his experience and expertise; and my colleagues, who helped me execute the mural.
Through this project, I also had the opportunity to meet many people from the street art scene—artists working in diverse and interesting styles, as well as organizers of graffiti and street art festivals from both Bulgaria and abroad. A year later, thanks to connections made during "The Cycle of Knowledge" and the discussion forum Visionary Talks, Prof. Lebibe Topalli invited me to participate in Mural Fest Kosova 2026 in Ferizaj, Kosovo.
"Between the Pages" represents, above all, a significant practical experience. This mural gave me the chance to gain a much better understanding of how a mural is planned and executed, what it means to work on a large scale, and how to situate a piece within an architectural setting. It also allowed me to consider the impact the work might have on the local residents, those who spend their daily lives nearby, and those who - for one reason or another - frequently pass by it.
Work in this scale in the public space carries responsibility, and that is precisely why, in my view, it should embody not only beauty but also meaning. Through the two murals - "Between the Pages" and "Window of Knowledge" - which form Episodes 1 and 2 of the project, I believe Sve Yankov and I successfully conveyed the mission and message at the heart of "The Cycle of Knowledge," giving the idea momentum right from its inception.
In October 2026, the project continues with Episode 3, in which second-year Mural Painting student Yoana Slavcheva will create her first large-scale work on Block 55 in Studentski Grad. Yoana stood out among the 11 other entries in the "Cycle of Knowledge" competition and will have the opportunity to take on the eight-story dormitory building, brush in hand.
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Photos: Boris Urumov
"The Cycle of Knowledge" Episode 2 was realized with the financial support of Sofia Municipality’s "Culture" Program (2025) and in partnership with the Studentski District of Sofia Municipality, the University of National and World Economy, and the National Academy of Art.