On January 3, 2023, a year before his 100th birthday, Lyuben Zidarov passed away. We say goodbye to one of the brightest personalities in the field of Bulgarian art over the past century. Lyuben Zidarov left behind a remarkable body of work in the field of illustration and painting, which shaped the taste of several generations. An active artist until his last days, he inspired us with his unquenchable urge to create and experiment, with his optimism and subtle sense of humor.
We will remember him. A tribute to his bright memory!
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Born in Veliko Tarnovo in 1923, he graduated in painting under Prof. Iliya Petrov in 1948, but while still a student he drew numerous illustrations and comics for various newspapers and magazines. In 1950-1970 he drew for the children's publications "Septemvriyche" newspaper and "Slaveyche" magazine, he was the chief artist of the "Narodna Mlazed" publishing house (1967-1970). Among his most significant illustrations are "Tales of Scheherazade", "Bulgarian Folk Tales", "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson, "Following the Shadows of the Clouds" by Peyo Yavorov, "The Sea Wolf" by Mine Reed, "Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain, "Tales" by Hans Christian Andersen, "Tales from Around the World" by Nikolay Raynov.
For his work, Lyuben Zidarov was awarded the state title of People's Artist. Winner of various awards: silver medal (1959) and gold medal (1965) from the International Book Exhibition in Leipzig, award of the State Council of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences for Art and Culture (1970), the Boris Angelushev Award of the Union of Bulgarian Artists for Illustration (1976), as well as the Cyril and Methodius Order - 1st degree in 1963. In 2014 he was awarded the Grand Prize of the Sofia Municipality for overall creativity and special contribution to the field of culture. In 2016 he received the Golden Age award of the Ministry of Culture.
In 2022 he was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Academy of Arts in Sofia.
Source: Union of Bulgarian Artists
Photos: Milena Radeva
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