Business News
Born in Bulgaria — Using the Cyrillic Alphabet in Posters” exhibition opened
Wednesday 11. February 2009 - His Excellency Mr. Georgi Parvanov, President of Bulgaria attends the opening ceremony
From Thursday January 29, 2009, a temporary exhibition entitled “Born in Bulgaria — Using the Cyrillic Alphabet in Posters” will be open at the P&P Gallery (1F Toppan Koishikawa Building, Suido Ward, Tokyo) of the Printing Museum, Tokyo, which is operated by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (hereafter Toppan Printing: Head office: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; President & CEO: Naoki Adachi).
On January 28, the day before the exhibition opened, His Excellency Mr. Georgi Parvanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, who was on a state visit to Japan, was invited to Toppan Printing and the Printing Museum. The President and Deputy Minister of Culture Mr. Ivan Tokadjiev gave speeches before the tape was cut to mark the opening of the exhibition.
Summary of the speeches
-His Excellency Georgi Parvanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria
“The Cyrillic alphabet is the pride of Bulgarian culture. I will be extremely pleased if, with an exhibition such as this as an opportunity, the people of Japan are able to learn more about Bulgaria.”
-Mr. Ivan Tokadjiev, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria
“This concept, which has been realized at the International Triennial of Stage Poster held regularly in Bulgaria, has brought together talented artists from 20 countries including leading Japanese graphic artists Susumu Endo and the late Shigeo Fukuda. We would also like to offer our appreciation for all those who have participated in this project.”
-Mr. Naoki Adachi, President & CEO, Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
“The Cyrillic alphabet created in Bulgaria is used by countries such as those of Eastern Europe and Russia, and contributes greatly to the development of culture. I believe it is both truly significant and a great honor to be able to present Bulgaria to the people of Japan through this exhibition in 2009, which marks 50 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bulgaria.”
Overview of the exhibition
This exhibition recreates with the Printing Museums own unique perspective the 5th “International Triennial of Stage Poster” held in Bulgarias capital Sofia in 2007. Thirty posters taking the theme of the Cyrillic alphabet and created by 30 designers from 20 countries are displayed. Visitors can view works where designers from around the world have produced typographic designs full of individuality based on the letter they have been given.
The exhibition has been held in Paris and New York and comes to Tokyo in 2009, which marks 50 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bulgaria. The Printing Museum, Tokyo is providing full cooperation. This year is also the “Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009” and the exhibition is part of events to mark this.
The Cyrillic Alphabet
The Cyrillic alphabet is one of Europes major alphabets and was created in Bulgaria. Currently it is used as the alphabet for languages such as Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian (South Slavic languages), Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian (East Slavic languages) and its use is linked closely with the regions in which the culture of the Orthodox Church is prevalent.
The brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius, who were born in Greece in the 9th century, devised the Glagolitic alphabet as an alphabet for the Slavic language in order to promote its spread amongst the Slavic people. However, its use did not spread significantly and subsequently the students of Cyril and Methodius created a more simplified alphabet in Bulgaria and it was named the Cyrillic alphabet in homage to Cyril, the younger brother. Today, along with the Latin and Greek alphabets, the Cyrillic alphabet is one of the official alphabets of the EU.
Details of the exhibition
Opening period: Thursday January 29 to Sunday February 22, 2009
Venue: P&P Gallery, Printing Museum, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Closed: Mondays
Admission: No charge (Admission fee required for visitors wishing to see the Main Exhibition in the Printing Museum, Tokyo)
Sponsors: Printing Museum, Tokyo Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
Planning: International Triennial of the Stage Poster Planning Committee
Cooperation: Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Japan, Republic of Bulgaria Ministry of Culture, Republic of Bulgaria Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Support: Japan Graphic Designers Association Inc.(JAGDA)
* The Printing Museum, Tokyo is a public cultural facility established in 2000 to mark 100 years since the establishment of Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.