Exhibition at the National Museum of Military History on the Occasion of 6 May and the 110th Anniversary of Museum Presents the Spirit and Images of the Bulgarian Army

The National Museum of Military History (NMMH), opened the exhibition “Founded in Wartime, Preserved through Art”, dedicated to the Day of Bravery and Day of the Bulgarian Army and part of the programme for the 110th anniversary of the Museum.
In her opening address, the Director of NMMH, Associate Professor Dr Sonya Penkova, emphasized two important dates – 6 May, the Day of Bravery and Day of the Bulgarian Army, and the 110th anniversary of the Museum. She described the institution as a “repository of the Bulgarian fighting spirit.” According to her, the exhibition draws attention to this spirit, preserved not only through material evidence of the past but also by the visual world of art. Therefore, on this occasion the Museum deliberately went with a non-traditional approach, directing attention to the “other face of war”, perceived through the eyes of its most sensitive witnesses – the war artists. Today, as in World War I – to which the works in the exhibition transport us – boundaries between the front and the rear are blurred, and with them – the sense of humanity weakens. The exhibition is a tribute to the soul of the Bulgarian Army and a call for humanity.
In his address, Deputy Minister of Defence Yordan Bozhilov emphasised the symbolism of May 6th and the 110th anniversary of NMMH, recalling that at the time of the establishment of the Museum, Bulgaria was defending its sovereignty balancing military strength with diplomacy. He situated the work of the NMMH within the context of modern statehood, stating that the institution was not merely a place for preserving artefacts but an “instrument for orientation” in the dynamic present as well. In his words, all that is on display in the Museum galleries – from the heroes of the April Uprising to the exploits of the Bulgarian Army – obliges us to make decisions that match up to the magnitude of this heritage.
During the official opening, a congratulatory address from the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Iliana Yotova was read, expressing her sincere gratitude to the Museum for organising the exhibition “Founded in Wartime, Preserved through Art.” The President emphasised that the exhibition projects a message of continuity in which the past inspires the future and the Museum is its most faithful guardian.
The opening was attended by the President’s advisers on military security, Vice Admiral Mitko Petev, Stefan Godzhevargov and Iliya Milushev; on culture, Associate Professor Dr Plamen Slavov; Major General Deyan Deshkov – Commander of the Land Forces; Brigadier General Nikolay Kebapchiev – Commander of the Logistics Support Command; Brigadier General Hristo Hristov – Chief of Staff of the Joint Forces Command; Colonel Petar Kindalov – Commander of the National Guard Unit; representatives of the leadership of the NATO Force Integration Unit in Bulgaria; the “G. S. Rakovski” Military Academy; senior officers; representatives of the academic and art communities; friends of the Museum.
The exhibition “Founded in Wartime, Preserved through Art” will remain open to visitors at the National Museum of Military History until September 2026.