This year, part of the LUNAR program will again be the impressive facade of the National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”. Especially for it, for the first time within the festival, a “data sculpture” will be created. The show, called “Values”, will present European values by analyzing numerous data, such as those on voter turnout in the EU over the last 30 years and gender equality and socio-economic inequality. Data from the Human Dignity Index by country, the World Index of Freedom of Expression and Personal Liberty and the text of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) will also be transformed through art.
Teodor Stoychev, Head of the Bureau of the European Parliament in Bulgaria, talks about the innovative approach to this year’s celebration of Europe Day and the values that it is important to look at.
Since 2017, you have built a tradition of celebrating Europe Day with a video mapping show, which has also become part of the LUNAR festival. Tell us what role art and visual communication play in engaging citizens on important topics, especially young people, for you?
The European Parliament in Bulgaria is using the possibilities of video mapping in the days around May 9 to draw public attention to important European topics with the help of stories told in a memorable and universal visual language. In today’s world of huge division along many ideological axes, our goal is to find a way to unite around ideas that connect us with all other Europeans. This is where the role of art and visual communication comes in, which attract attention and emotionally engage viewers in a much different way than text. Visual art can present complex concepts in a clear and accessible way. It can also be easily shared on social networks – an important factor in engaging young people, who are particularly active on these platforms. In this way, we expand the reach of our messages and encourage discussions on important topics. Last but not least, visual stories can inspire and motivate people to be active on issues that are important to them and promote change in society.
This year you will surprise the audience again by presenting for the first time the so-called “data sculpture”. Tell us more about the messages you want to send with the artwork.
May 8 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and May 9 marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations of the European Union. That is why we wanted to mark Europe Day with a light show dedicated to the core European values - human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights. Our aim is to present them in an innovative and impactful way, and that is why we turned to a newer wave in digital art – the so-called data sculpture, in which different types of data are interpreted through algorithms and artificial intelligence, but refracted through the author’s gaze of visual artists. We will rely on the emotional effect of the combination of animation, colors, dynamics and sound. The sound design includes sonification of data taken from the text of the Treaty on European Union. Our main message through this innovative artistic approach, involving interaction between artists and artificial intelligence, is that democracy is an ongoing process that depends on all of us and we must be active and stand up for the principles we believe in.
Why is it important for European institutions to be present in the cultural and urban landscape in an innovative way?
The presence of the European institutions in the cultural landscape brings many benefits, as it increases their visibility among citizens and strengthens their connection with them. Investments in culture also help to strengthen trust in the institutions. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, nearly three quarters of Europeans believe that their country benefits from EU membership, and trust in Bulgaria in the European Parliament is above the EU average.
The European institutions support cultural initiatives because they can raise awareness of important public issues and attract a wide range of people, encouraging civic participation. Examples of successful cultural projects of our institution are the House of European History in Brussels, which traces the main events and phenomena that have united and divided Europeans throughout history, and the European Parliament’s collection of contemporary art, which also uses the power of art for communication and was enriched last year with three more Bulgarian works. These examples are just an illustration of the common aspiration of the European institutions to create a stronger connection with citizens and to foster a sense of belonging to a united Europe.
Do you have a personal memory or moment from previous editions of the Europe Day celebrations in our country that particularly touched you?
I have a special memory of the first edition of the LUNAR Festival of Lights in 2022, which gathered crowds of thousands in downtown Sofia shortly after all post-pandemic sanitary measures were finally lifted. I had the feeling that the entire city had come to the festival to enjoy this visual feast for all the senses, but most of all, the feeling in the air that we can all be together again.
What would you like people to take away from this year’s show?
The feeling that, in addition to being Bulgarians, we are also Europeans, part of a larger community of shared values and common goals.
About Teodor Stoychev:
Teodor Stoychev has been Head of the European Parliament Bureau in Bulgaria since March 2016. He graduated from the 9th French High School in Sofia, holds a BA in History from Sofia University and a MA in History of International Relations and European Integration from the Robert Schuman University in Strasbourg. His previous experience includes working as an editor and editor-in-chief of various publications, and since 2008 he has been the press officer for the European Parliament in Brussels and then in Sofia.
A total of 10,000 sq m of art will illuminate some of Sofia’s most famous buildings and urban spaces, as part of the fourth edition of the LUNAR Festival of [...]
