Ivan Vasilchin, 5 October 2026
Table of contents
Summary
After a hiatus of several years, the ‘Homeland at the Crossroads’ art festival returns for its 13th edition in the Banat village of Dudeștii Veci (Romania). The event, which began in 2006, has overcome the lack of accommodation thanks to a partnership with restored houses (Dudesco).
Key highlights from the programme:
- Dates and opening: The programme began on 25 September 2026, and the official opening of the exhibition took place on 3 October 2026 with a ceremonial address by the writer Robert Șerban, who emphasised the event’s significance for preserving and affirming the cultural identity of the Banat Bulgarians.
- Participants: Nine artists from Bulgaria and Romania took part in the art festival (Nikolina Dzhanovska, Valentina Lapcheva, Rumyana Zhivkova, Gergana Bogdanova, Rumen Atanasov, Stanislava Zapryanova, Volodya Kazakov, Ivan Vasilchin and Radu Kotishel), as well as children from the local art club.
- Theme: The theme of this edition is ‘Return’ – a symbol of the festival’s revival and a return to roots and traditions.
- Upcoming events: From 23 to 25 October 2026, an exhibition under the same theme will also be presented in Sofia during the Conference on Banat and Bessarabian Bulgarians, serving as a bridge between the diaspora and Bulgaria.
The event is organised by the artist Ivan Vasilchin with the support of Mica Vasilchin.
Press release
Dudeștii Vechi, Romania – Following a break of several years due to the pandemic, the ‘Homeland at the Crossroads’ art festival is resuming with great hope and renewed vigour. The event, which began exactly 20 years ago – in 2006 – started as a small open-air workshop for local artists, before developing over the years into a large-scale fusion art festival.
The main obstacle to holding the festival until now – a lack of accommodation – has now been overcome. Thanks to a partnership with a number of restored houses provided by the company Dudesco, the 13th edition has new facilities to welcome participants and guests.
The event programme began on 25 September, and an Open Day was held on 2 October. The official opening of the exhibition took place on 3 October 2026 at 4.00 pm in the municipal gallery.
The opening address will be delivered by the renowned writer and poet Robert Șerban, who is also well known as a prominent figure in the presentation and opening of cultural events related to the arts.
“Communities that respect themselves forge their identity not only by preserving the past, but also through their ability to create culture in the present. An art symposium held for the thirteenth time is no longer a coincidence, but has become a tradition. That is why what is happening here has a dimension that goes beyond the narrow circle of contemporary art. At a time when cultural tourism is increasingly seeking local experiences, recognisable identities and destinations that offer something different from the well-trodden paths, such projects can become genuine centres of attraction.
A village or a municipality does not need to be a capital city or a metropolitan centre to acquire cultural significance. Sometimes it is precisely the geographical periphery that creates symbolic centrality. The unusual can be more powerful than fame. The distinctive can be more memorable than the standard. And the Bulgarian community in Banat, with its resilience and cultural distinctiveness, is given yet another opportunity here to assert its identity not through words, but through a concrete cultural manifestation. Thus, the exhibition becomes both an artistic event and an act of representing the community.”
This year’s edition features 9 artists from Bulgaria and Romania:
- Nikolina Dzhanovska (Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria)
- Valentina Lapcheva (Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria)
- Rumyana Zhivkova (Pleven, Bulgaria)
- Gergana Bogdanova (Pleven, Bulgaria)
- Rumen Atanasov (Sofia, Bulgaria)
- Stanislava Zapryanova (Sofia, Bulgaria)
- Volodya Kazakov (Botevgrad, Bulgaria)
- Ivan Vasilchin (Star Beshenov / Dudeshti Veki, Romania)
- Rado Kotishel (Turda, Romania)
The theme of the 13th edition is ‘Return’. It symbolises both a return to the series of events following the long hiatus and a return to one’s roots, to the beginning, to tradition and to a look back at the past.
During the event, alongside the artists, children from the art club also came to paint – a fact noted and even praised by the writer Robert Șerban. In this way, the children’s participation ensured continuity and a future and, as he said, “I look forward to seeing you all at the 33rd edition.”
As a continuation of this concept, from 23 to 25 October 2026, an exhibition will also open in Sofia under the same theme, as part of the Conference on Banat and Bessarabian Bulgarians. This demonstrates that ‘The Return’ is not merely a return to the past and one’s roots, but also a bridge connecting the Banat and Bessarabian Bulgarians, as well as the diaspora and Bulgaria.
The main message from the organisers of ‘Homeland at the Crossroads’ is that wherever two or three Bulgarians gather, they create a small homeland.
The event is led by the artist Ivan Vasilchin, with the support and co-organisation of Mița Vasilchin.
Photo: Participants in the 2026 edition of “Homeland at the Crossroads” art festival
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