FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INSPIRED BY BULGARIA — INTERNATIONAL ART & FASHION EVENT 2026
Celebrating Bulgarian Heritage Through Art, Fashion, Craftsmanship and Japanese Cultural Expression
Tokyo, Japan | 30 October 2026
Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
Time: 11:00–17:00
Venue: Residence of the Ambassador of Bulgaria in Tokyo
In Collaboration with: Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tokyo
Producer & Curator: Irina Babanova / Tokyo Heartbeat
On 30 October 2026, Inspired by Bulgaria — International Art & Fashion Event 2026 will take place at the Residence of the Ambassador of Bulgaria in Tokyo. The event will bring together artists, designers and cultural practitioners to celebrate Bulgarian heritage, contemporary creativity and international artistic exchange.
Produced and curated by Irina Babanova of Tokyo Heartbeat, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tokyo, the event will explore the connection between cultural traditions and contemporary artistic expression.
The exhibition will feature visual art, fashion, photography, digital art, craftsmanship and Japanese calligraphy. Together, these creative disciplines will offer fresh perspectives on Bulgarian heritage while encouraging dialogue between Bulgaria, Japan and the wider international community.
The Bulgarian rose, one of the country’s most recognisable cultural symbols, will be a central theme. Artists will interpret its beauty and meaning through painting, photography, digital art and live illustration. Meanwhile, other presentations will explore Bulgaria’s ancient gold treasures, traditional craftsmanship and contemporary fashion.
The programme will also highlight Japanese artistic traditions. In particular, a live calligraphy performance will celebrate friendship between Bulgaria and Japan through poetry, music and expressive brushwork.
Art as a Bridge Between Cultures
Inspired by Bulgaria is more than an exhibition. It is also an opportunity for cultural exchange, artistic discovery and international networking.
The event will welcome invited guests from diplomatic, cultural, creative and business communities. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists, discover the stories behind their work and engage in conversations across cultures.
Above all, the event aims to show how heritage can inspire contemporary creativity and how art can build meaningful connections between people.
FEATURED ARTISTS AND CREATIVE PRESENTATIONS
Eenabo — Irina Babanova
Digital Art | Photography | Contemporary Visual Expression
Eenabo is the artistic name of Irina Babanova, a multidisciplinary visual artist, art director and designer based in Tokyo. Her practice includes photography, digital art, graphic design and jewellery design. She combines original photographs with textures and digital techniques to create atmospheric images with a painterly quality. Her inspiration comes from nature, people, architecture and urban environments.
For Inspired by Bulgaria, Eenabo will present a series of dreamlike digital artworks centred on the Bulgarian rose. Through layers, colour and visual transformation, the familiar flower becomes a symbol of cultural identity, memory and emotion. In this way, her work connects traditional Bulgarian symbolism with contemporary digital expression.
Élodie Burette
Live Illustration | Portraiture | Cultural Encounters
Élodie Burette is a French artist who has lived and worked in Japan for more than ten years. She has also lived in Canada and the United States. These international experiences have shaped her artistic perspective. Her colourful illustrations explore people, fashion and individuality, capturing the distinctive character of each subject.
At Inspired by Bulgaria, Burette will create live portrait illustrations featuring the Bulgarian Damask rose. Guests will be able to observe her creative process and receive personalised artistic keepsakes. Through this interactive experience, she will bring together French artistic expression, Japanese cultural influences and Bulgarian floral symbolism.
Haruko Nagata
Painting | Sculpture | Flowers and the Bulgarian Rose
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Haruko Nagata studied sculpture at Joshibi College of Art and Design before continuing her artistic development in France. She taught at Joshibi University of Art and Design from 1991 to 2026 and is an associate member of the Nika Association. Her work has been exhibited extensively in Japan, including at GINZA SIX, ART FAIR TOKYO and ART FAIR NAGOYA. Her artworks are also represented in museum collections and public installations.
For Inspired by Bulgaria, Nagata will present paintings inspired by the Bulgarian rose. Flowers have long been central to her artistic practice. Through their colours, forms and delicate presence, she explores the beauty and emotional qualities of nature. Her work creates a poetic connection between Japanese artistic sensibility and Bulgarian cultural identity.
SHIYO 子葉
Japanese Calligraphy | Contemporary Art | Live Performance
Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1950, SHIYO is a Japanese calligrapher, artist and performer. She is Vice President of the Sankei International Calligraphy Association and serves on its judging committee. Throughout her career, she has trained more than 500 calligraphy teachers. She has also developed an innovative style that moves beyond traditional black-and-white calligraphy. Inspired by the beauty of Japanese kimono, her work incorporates colour, layered backgrounds and three-dimensional effects.
For Inspired by Bulgaria, SHIYO will present Crane Dance, a special live performance combining large-scale calligraphy, silver foil, classical Chinese poetry and traditional koto music. The approximately 15-minute performance will express friendship between Bulgaria and Japan. Through movement, sound and visual art, it will also convey a shared hope for peace and cultural understanding.
Wolf Walley
Fashion Design | The Oldest Gold | Bulgarian Cultural Heritage
Founded in 2012, Wolf Walley is a Bulgarian fashion brand known for its feminine silhouettes, delicate lace and natural fabrics. Its designs combine elegance with contemporary creativity. The brand also uses artistic machine embroidery to create patterns that resemble paintings, bringing fashion closer to visual art.
For Inspired by Bulgaria, Wolf Walley will present The Oldest Gold. The collection draws inspiration from the remarkable gold treasures discovered at the Varna Necropolis, dating to approximately 4400–4200 BCE. Through fabric, embroidery and contemporary silhouettes, the designs reinterpret ancient symbols. As a result, the collection creates a connection between Bulgaria’s archaeological heritage and modern fashion.
Zografov & Son
Precious Metal Art | Contemporary Craftsmanship | Bulgarian Heritage
Founded in 1991 by Titsiana and Nikolay Zografovi, Zografov & Son is a Bulgarian family enterprise with a rich artistic heritage. Its roots reach back to the icon painter Bozhin-Emanoil Stimeniy Zograf. The studio is known for handcrafted vessels and decorative objects made from precious metals and natural wood. Today, artist Lyubomir Zografov continues the family tradition while introducing contemporary design ideas.
At Inspired by Bulgaria, Zografov & Son will present three collections. The first draws inspiration from ancient Thracian treasures. The second combines natural solid wood with precious metals. Finally, a new contemporary series pairs African wenge wood with metal and has been developed with the Japanese market in mind. Together, the collections celebrate Bulgaria’s artistic history, skilled craftsmanship and modern design.
EVENT PROGRAMME & HIGHLIGHTS
Throughout the event, guests are invited to explore the exhibitions, meet the participating artists and designers, network with fellow guests, and discover the creative stories behind the presented works.
11:00–17:00 | Exhibition & Cultural Exchange
Explore contemporary art, Bulgarian fashion, precious-metal craftsmanship, photography and digital art. Meet the artists, discover their creative processes and enjoy conversations with guests from the international cultural, diplomatic and business communities.
12:00 | Official Opening Ceremony
The official opening ceremony of Inspired by Bulgaria — International Art & Fashion Event 2026 will feature opening remarks by Her Excellency Marieta Arabajieva, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Japan, followed by introductions of the participating artists and designers. The ceremony will celebrate Bulgarian cultural heritage, contemporary creativity, and the spirit of friendship and artistic exchange between Bulgaria and Japan.
Featured Presentation | Zografov & Son
Discover the history and craftsmanship of this Bulgarian family enterprise through a special presentation of its artistic heritage, distinctive collections and contemporary design vision.
Live Performance | SHIYO — “Crane Dance”
Experience a special calligraphy performance combining expressive brushwork, silver foil, classical poetry and koto music. Created as an artistic tribute to the friendship between Bulgaria and Japan, the performance carries a message of hope and world peace.
The programme also includes live portrait illustration by Élodie Burette and opportunities for personal interaction with the participating artists throughout the event.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Inspired by Bulgaria — International Art & Fashion Event 2026 is a curated international cultural gathering celebrating Bulgarian heritage through contemporary art, fashion, craftsmanship and cross-cultural artistic exchange.
Taking place at the Residence of the Ambassador of Bulgaria in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tokyo, the event brings together Bulgarian, Japanese and international creative talents, highlighting the role of art in connecting cultures, generations and artistic traditions.
Produced and curated by Irina Babanova of Tokyo Heartbeat, the event seeks to encourage meaningful cultural dialogue, creative collaboration and lasting connections between Bulgaria, Japan and the international community.
Event: Inspired by Bulgaria — International Art & Fashion Event 2026
Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
Time: 11:00–17:00
Venue: Residence of the Ambassador of Bulgaria in Tokyo
In Collaboration with: Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tokyo
Producer & Curator: Irina Babanova / Tokyo Heartbeat
Attendance is by invitation, with advance registration required.
Event Partners:
MEDIA AND PRESS INQUIRIES:
Irina Babanova
Producer & Curator | Eenabo FAB
Email: irrinis@gmail.com
Press images, artist biographies and additional information are available upon request.
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