Assoc. Prof. Maria Miteva, PhD, with the “Image and Text” Award

On 26.02.2026, for the first time, the Image and Text Award was presented, established by the Centre for Bulgarian-European Dialogues Foundation in recognition of the significant contribution of Assoc. Prof. Ruzha Marinska, PhD, to Bulgarian art history. The laureate is Maria Miteva, PhD, an Associate Professor at the Institute of Art Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Head of the New Bulgarian Art Research Group. She was awarded for her monograph "Art and Order. Through the Artistic Practice in Bulgaria in the 1930s and the Beginning of 1940s", published by the Institute of Art Studies, BAS. The decision was made by a jury composed of: Mrs Adelina Fileva, Director of the Sofia City Art Gallery; Prof. Blagovesta Ivanova, DSc, VSU "Lyuben Karavelov"; Rositsa Gicheva, PhD, New Bulgarian University; Stoyan Sgurev, PhD, Audencia Business School – Paris; and Todor Petev, PhD, New Bulgarian University and My Museum Foundation. The publication’s exceptional scientific contribution was highlighted, distinguished by an in-depth analysis of significant unexplored archival material, a clearly formulated socially significant problem, and a convincing interdisciplinary approach. Three more scientific works of the Institute of Art Studies were nominated: "Icons from the National Church Museum of History and Archaeology". Collective. Edition of the National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum and the Institute of Art Studies, BAS; "Iconographers Yoan Popraykov from the town of Elena and Yoan Popnikolov from Gabrovo" by Assoc. Prof. Alexander Kuyumdzhiev, DSc, and "The Mesembria Churches in the Studies of Architect Pyotr Pokrishkin" by Chief Assist. Prof. Stanislav Stanev, PhD. The Image and Text Award is annual and aims to draw public attention to Bulgarian art studies, increase the visibility of research in the field of art history, and emphasise the place of Bulgarian art in the context of the European cultural historical tradition.