the exhibitions

Gay & Lesbian Fest
Film screenings, exhibitions, DJ parties
6-9 October, 2005

George
paintings by George Alexandrov

Innocence and wisdom come in mythical shapes in the paintings of the transsexual artist George Alexandrov. To him innocence is a man and a child at the same time, a metaphor that bends rigid gender frames. Born a biological woman, George has grasped his masculine identity since 1985. His gender views have been influenced by the philosophy of Dunov, Lev Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, as well as by Renaissance paintings, idealistic philosophy and romanticism. Through the faces of beloved women his paintings tell us about his turmoil in search of his true identity. They offer a dramatic narrative, about the introvert and individualistic, yet real divide between appearances and inner life, self-reflection and acknowledgement.

Coming Out
photography by Burr – brown

“Coming Out” implies revealing your homosexual identity and this meaning of the word does not translate well into Bulgarian. Coming out has not yet become a widely spread practice in our country. In general gays and lesbians still prefer leading hidden private lives and do not mind being treated as heterosexuals in public. Coming out takes courage and readiness to lose privileges but embrace your true identity.

The idea about this exhibition came from the participants in the leadership seminar held by Bilitis, an organization of lesbians and bisexual women. Acknowledging lesbian identity in Bulgaria is still virtual today. There are few places where lesbians and bisexual women can meet and communicate. The outdoor leadership seminar of Bilitis was one of them. In addition to seminar discussions, lectures on lesbian history and sharing of personal experiences, the participants had the chance to spend quality time together outside the seminar schedule. A body art session and get together parties encouraged a feeling of closeness and community spirit among the participants. Some of them did not hesitate to be photographed and to tell openly their stories.

Gay & Lesbian Fest is organized in co-operation with De Balie – Amsterdam, Goethe Institute – Sofia, the French Institute – Sofia, LesGaiCineMad – Fundacion Triangulo, Spain, Open Mind Foundation, Red B&B, Bilitis Lesbian and Bi-women Resource Center, Queer Bulgaria Founfdation, BGO Gemini, MEDIA Desk - Bulgaria, Art Fest, OCB and other Bulgarian partners. With the financial support of De Trut and NCDO, The Netherlands.

Gay & Lesbian Fest
October 6-9, 2005
The Red House Centre for Culture and Debate, Red hall
The films are in their original version with subtitles or simultaneous translation in Bulgarian.
Tickets per screening: 4/3 & 3/2 BGN
Subscribtion:18/15 BGN (‘Summer Storm’ screening not included)

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