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Meetings with Modernist Architecture

Documentary mini series

See some of the emblematic modernistic buildings in Bulgaria and learn through their own voices more about their creators, their history and architectural characteristics

Meetings with Modernist Architecture

In memory of our inspirer Vasil Makarinov, creator of foundation Bulgarian Modernist Architecture

Meetings with Modernist Architecture presents some of the emblematic modernistic buildings in Bulgaria. Through their own voices we learn more about their creators, their history and their architectural characteristics.

The episodes

University Library

The fifth film gives us a peek into University Library ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’. The biggest university library in the country is constructed in 1933 by the project ‘Bible’ of the famous architects Ivan Vasilyov and Dimitar Tsolov and with funding from the inheritance of entrepreneurs Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi. The building has an unconventional structure, that resembles Sofia University’s main building. In the prismatic volume are positioned the administrative cabinets and the 6-floor book depository, while the oval volume houses some of the most precious private book collections, donated by their heirs.

Technical specs

  • original title: Срещи с архитектурния модернизъм: Университетска библиотека
  • alternate titles: Meetings with Modernist Architecture: University Library
  • country: Bulgaria
  • premiere: 24 November 2023
  • filming format: 4K
  • screening formats: BD
  • picture: colour, 1.78:1
  • sound: stereo 2.0
  • runtime: 5 min 46 sec
  • rating category: B (Bulgaria – All ages admitted)
  • languagе: Bulgarian
  • subtitles: Bulgarian, English
  • website: monoco.eu/modernistarchitecture
  • Vimeo: University Library
  • YouTube: University Library
  • Facebook: University Library

Cast & Crew

  • scriptwriter, director & editor – Yana Alexieva
  • cinematographer & producer – Simeon Tsonchev
  • narrator – Anna Doneva
  • with – Iliyana Petkova
  • sound designer – Nenko Milev
  • colourist – Kalin Petrov
  • consultant – Architect Ljubinka Stoilova, PhD
  • kindly supported by – Prof. Anna Angelova, Ph.D, Marieta Georgieva
  • music – Black Cat Swagger © 2022 Jonathan Boyle via Shutterstock Canada ULC
  • design inspired by – Research Modernism and Postmodernism © 2013 Mana Mohammadi
  • special thanks – Bulgarian Modernist Architecture
  • in memory of our inspirer – Vasil Makarinov
  • funding – Sofia Municipality
  • production – Mono Collective

Faculty of Biology

The series’ fourth film will lead you deep into the secrets of the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University. The remarkable building with characteristic brick tiling was built in 1928. Its design was made by architects Georgi Ovcharov and Genko Popov, who studied at the prestigious Technical University of Munich. The unique oval-shaped main lecture hall with beautifully ornamented ceiling, the vast bright spaces, the wide staircases and the tall pointed arch window turn this building into an invaluable example of modernist architecture and a true work of art.

Technical specs

  • original title: Срещи с архитектурния модернизъм: Биологическият факултет
  • alternate titles: Meetings with Modernist Architecture: Faculty of Biology
  • country: Bulgaria
  • premiere: 14 November 2022
  • filming format: 4K
  • screening formats: BD
  • picture: colour, 1.78:1
  • sound: stereo 2.0
  • runtime: 5 min 18 sec
  • rating category: B (Bulgaria – All ages admitted)
  • languagе: Bulgarian
  • subtitles: Bulgarian, English
  • website: monoco.eu/modernistarchitecture
  • Vimeo: Faculty of Biology
  • YouTube: Faculty of Biology
  • Facebook: Faculty of Biology

Cast & Crew

  • scriptwriter, director & editor – Yana Alexieva
  • cinematographer & producer – Simeon Tsonchev
  • narrator – Aleksandar Aleksiev
  • sound designer – Nenko Milev
  • colourist – Kalin Petrov
  • consultant – Architect Elena Naydenova
  • kindly supported by – Prof. Stoyan Shishkov, PhD, Stefan Chankov, Diana Alexieva
  • music – Dinner Party © 2022 Tewar, Shutterstock Canada ULC
  • design inspired by – Research Modernism and Postmodernism © 2013 Mana Mohammadi
  • special thanks – Bulgarian Modernist Architecture & Stara Sofia
  • funding – Sofia Municipality
  • production – Mono Collective

Architect Vassil Vassilev

The series’ third short film is dedicated to a few remarkable buildings designed by the architect Vassil Vassilev. Born at the dawn of the twentieth century, he received his architectural education in the city of Linz, Austria. In the 1930s he started his private practice in Sofia, rapidly establishing his professional reputation. Combining traditional architectural elements with avant-garde means of expression, the architect sculpted a daring and inimitable style.

Technical specs

Cast & Crew

  • scriptwriter, director & editor – Andrey Getov
  • cinematographer & producer – Simeon Tsonchev
  • narrator – Dimitrina Cherneva
  • sound designer – Nenko Milev
  • colourist – Kalin Petrov
  • consultant – Architect Martin Georgiev
  • kindly supported by – Alexa Kostadinova, Angel-Noa Angelov, Valeri Konstantinov, Velika Ivanova, Elena Vassileva, Ralitsa Nikolova, Rositsa Nushkova-Vassileva, Sofia Vassileva-Kostadinova & Chavdar Tanov
  • music – Loose as a Goose © 2022 Cool Cat Music, Shutterstock Canada ULC
  • design inspired by – Research Modernism and Postmodernism © 2013 Mana Mohammadi
  • special thanks – Bulgarian Modernist Architecture & Stara Sofia
  • funding – National Culture Fund
  • production – Mono Collective

The House of Angel Kantardzhiev

The house of Angel Kantardzhiev is one of the precious treasures of Bulgarian modernist architecture. It was designed in 1932 by architects Ivan Vasilyov and Dimitar Tsolov. Its unique curved facade with delicate columns and a flat roof are some of its recognisable modernistic elements. The house endured a lot of vicissitudes through the years, affecting its functionality as well as its appearance. Today it is skilfully restored and is hiding nestled between big buildings in an inner courtyard on 25A Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard, between the Sofia University and Eagles’ Bridge.

Technical specs

Cast & Crew

  • written & directed by – Yana Alexieva и Simeon Tsonchev
  • narrator – Diana Alexieva
  • sound designer – Nenko Milev
  • colourist – Kalin Petrov
  • consultantи – architect Yordanka Kandulkova, architect Teodora Kanalieva & Vassil Makarinov
  • kindly supported by – Nikola Temelkov, Biser Borisov, Miroslav Malinov, architect Milcho Tomov, architect Elena Dimitrova, Krasimir Andonov & Diana Alexieva
  • music – Swing 39 © 2012 Latché Swing
  • sound effects – Freesound
  • design inspired by – Research Modernism and Postmodernism © 2013 Mana Mohammadi
  • special thanks – Bulgarian Modernist Architecture & Stara Sofia
  • funding – National Culture Fund
  • production – Mono Collective

National Student House

The first short film in the series is dedicated to the National Student House on Narodno Sabranie square in Sofia. The project for it was created by architects Stancho Belkovski and Ivan Danchov. It is one of the most prominent examples of modernism in the capital. The idea to build it forms in 1904. The first stone was laid with official celebrations on 30 May 1931 – 27 years after the idea to build it was first conceived! The simple minimalistic facade, the interior columns, the horizontal stripe-like windows and the checkered black and white mosaics are all recognisable modernistic elements, which make it unique for its time. The National Student House is a good example of a building, the form of which perfectly serves its purpose.

Technical specs

  • original title: Срещи с архитектурния модернизъм: Национален студентски дом
  • alternate titles: Meetings with Modernist Architecture: National Student House
  • country: Bulgaria
  • premiere: 28 April 2021
  • filming format: 4K
  • screening formats: BD
  • picture: colour, 1.78:1
  • sound: stereo 2.0
  • runtime: 5 min 32 sec
  • rating category: B (Bulgaria – All ages admitted)
  • languagе: Bulgarian
  • subtitles: Bulgarian, English
  • website: monoco.eu/modernistarchitecture
  • Vimeo: National Student House
  • YouTube: National Student House
  • YouTube: National Student House

Cast & Crew

  • written & directed by – Yana Alexieva и Simeon Tsonchev
  • narrated by – Momchil Alexiev & Nenko Milev
  • with – Anton Dimitrachkov & Vasiliya Drebova
  • sound designer – Nenko Milev
  • colourist – Kalin Petrov
  • consultants – architect Yordanka Kandulkova, architect Teodora Kanalieva & Vassil Makarinov
  • kindly supported by – Hristian Daskalov, Rositsa Peneva, Krasimir Andonov & Diana Alexieva
  • music – Awkward Mystery © 2018 Leon Riskin
  • archive footage – Nozze di S.A.R. la principessa Giovanna di Savoia con S.M. Boris III re dei Bulgari © 1930 Istituto Nazionale Luce
  • sound effects – Freesound
  • design inspired by – Research Modernism and Postmodernism © 2013 Mana Mohammadi
  • special thanks – Bulgarian Modernist Architecture & Stara Sofia
  • funding – National Culture Fund
  • production – Mono Collective