“Power and Beauty” in the Face of Persecution: The Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Resonates With Bulgarians in Dobrich

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May 7, 2026 | By a Minghui correspondent in Bulgaria

(Minghui.org) “In every painting, even the dark ones, there is light; the bright spots stand out, and to me that’s a sign that there’s hope for humanity,” said Gospodinka Angelova.

Gospodinka Angelova, an art teacher, at the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition in Dobrich, Bulgaria

Ms. Angelova, who teaches art at Dimitar Talev School in Dobrich, Bulgaria, said after she saw the exhibition that she felt sympathy for the artists and was shocked that humans could treat each other so terribly in the 21st century.

The Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren is an exhibition of oil paintings created by Falun Gong practitioners. Following the traditions of classical painters, these practitioner artists seek to portray the sense of divinity they encounter in their spiritual practice, as well as to raise awareness of the persecution of their faith in China.

“Zhen-Shan-Ren” means “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” the guiding principles that practitioners follow and seek to portray in their art.

Throughout the month of April, Bulgarian Falun Gong practitioners hosted the exhibition at two locations in the city of Dobrich: the Yordan Yovkov-1870 Community Center and the Regional Administration. Both exhibitions were on display until April 30.

A City of Literary Greats

Dobrich, one of the ten largest cities in Bulgaria, is named after the 14th century Bulgarian ruler Dobrotitsa.

Dobrich is renowned because two luminaries of Bulgarian literature, Dora Gabe and Yordan Yovkov, made remarkable contributions to the city’s cultural and educational heritage. The people of Dobrich honored them by naming two of the city’s most significant cultural institutions after them: the “Dora Gabe” Regional Library and the “Yordan Yovkov-1870” Community Center.

Exhibition at Yordan Yorkov Community Center Shows “Power” and “Beauty” in the Face of Suppression

The opening of the first exhibition at the Yordan Yovkov-1870 Community Center took place on April 2. This was where art teacher Gospodinka Angelova saw the painting Who Am I that prompted her comment.

Many local dignitaries attended the opening ceremony and shared their thoughts.

On April 2, Bulgarian Falun Gong practitioners hosted the opening ceremony of the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition at the Yordan Yovkov-1870 Community Center.

Governor Assen Atanasov of Dobrich Province at the opening of the exhibition on April 2

Assen Atanasov, the governor of Dobrich Province, was among the guests at the exhibition’s opening. He said he came not only out of curiosity about the exhibition but also to honor the invitation of Ms. Romanova who practices Falun Gong. He explained they “share an identical view of public life and the fact that there is nothing higher than people being free.”

Neli Apostolova at the exhibition in Dobrich on April 2

Several local educators also attended the opening, including Neli Apostolova, the principal of the Yavorov Vocational High School of Tourism in Dobrich. She said she was struck by “the cruelty that exists in the modern world” and thought that “such cruelty belongs to the past.” She added that the images depicting cruelty made her feel sick and sad. However, she admired how the paintings showed the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

“I am captivated by the power and beauty that many of the paintings convey,” she said.

Diana Valchanova at the exhibition in Dobrich on April 2

Diana Valchanova is the deputy director of the Raiko Tsonchev Private Specialized High School of Tourism and Entrepreneurship in Dobrich. She said the exhibition was extremely impressive and interesting and that this was the first time she’d heard of Falun Gong as both an art form and a teaching. She said the paintings were deeply moving and touched her. She also said she hopes the persecution ends.

Artist Praises the Artworks Powerful Impact

Nikolay Todorov is an artist who became familiar with the paintings while helping to set them up the day before the opening. The Renaissance style of the paintings piqued his interest, and he said he thought they effectively captured the contrast between shadow and light.

Artist Nikolay Todorov at the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition in Dobrich

Todorov said that, in his opinion, the dramatic style of the persecution paintings were reminiscent of the style of the Italian artist Caravaggio and that this style was used on purpose to realistically portray the barbarity the practitioners face in China under the communist regime.

“When you know what the message is, the means of expression is very effective. It is presented to the viewer in such a way that, in this case, it has a very powerful impact,” he said. “It’s very, very good—quite strong.”

Martin Krastev, a musician, at the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition in Dobrich

Martin Krastev, a musician, composer, and conductor, provided the pleasing, unobtrusive musical accompaniment for the opening of the exhibition at the Community Center. He said that the paintings had a profound effect on his senses and that it was exceptionally impressive how they told their stories. He expressed his gratitude for the wonderful experience.

Visitors to the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition at the Yordan Yovkov-1870 Community Center

Exhibition at the Dobrich Regional Administration Spreads Positive Values

On April 22, 2026, the second presentation of the exhibition took place in the spacious lobby of the Regional Administration. The opening was dedicated to Earth Day and was held under the patronage of the Regional Governor.

On April 22, the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition opened at the Regional Administration in Dobrich.

The vocal ensemble “Liber Vox,” conducted by Martin Krastev, took part in the opening ceremony of the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition at the Regional Administration in Dobrich on April 22.

Milena Keranova at the opening of the exhibition at the Dora Gabe Regional Library on April 22

Milena Keranova is a municipal councilor from Dobrich. She was among the guests at the opening of the exhibition at the Regional Administration and said that all the paintings were very impressive because they were so authentic and sincere.

She added that the descriptions accompanying each painting were also very impressive and deeply moving, that they told the story behind the painting and about the artist. She found the message of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance wonderful and beautiful, especially in today’s world, where there is so much divisiveness.

“I think each and every one of us should live by Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance!” she said.

Elena Hristova at the Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition in Dobrich on April 22

Elena Hristova is the chief expert on youth activities in the Municipality of Varna. The painting that made a strong impression on her was “The Battle Between Good and Evil.”

“At first glance, it’s purely human situations and struggles, but I was deeply moved to see the angel descending to save humanity,” she said.

Maria Balkadjieva, a second-time visitor to the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition

A repeat visitor to the exhibition, Maria Balkadjieva, said she saw the artworks when she was in Varna. She came back because she was so impressed by the practitioners’ experiences.

“This is the second time I’ve seen this exhibition. I first saw it in Varna, and I was deeply impressed. Perhaps because I wasn’t expecting this kind of art, which is connected to the history of these people, it made a profound impression on me,” she said.

The Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition at the Regional Administration in Dobrich

Media Outlets Report on the Exhibition

The exhibition caught the attention of regional media outlets in Dobrich, including TV Dobrich and Podium, an arts and culture website.

TV Dobrich produced a segment on the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition in Dobrich on April 21, 2026. (Screenshot courtesy TV Dobrich)

On April 9, 2026, Podium reports on the opening of the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibition at the Yordan Yorkov Community Center. (Screenshot courtesy Podium)

On April 22, 2026, Podium reports on the opening of the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren Exhibiton at the Dora Gabe Regional Library. (Screenshot courtesy Podium)