BULGARIA: Exact model of Bulgaria's famous Orthodox Rila monastery made of 4,5 million safety matches is one of the exhibits at the unique display of miniature churches in Sofia

Record ID: 863960

  • Title: BULGARIA: Exact model of Bulgaria's famous Orthodox Rila monastery made of 4,5 million safety matches is one of the exhibits at the unique display of miniature churches in Sofia
  • Date: 25th January 2012
  • Summary: CHILDREN LOOKING AT RILA MONASTERY MODEL
  • Embargoed: 9th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Bulgaria, Bulgaria
  • City:
  • Country: Bulgaria
  • Topics: Arts
  • Reuters ID: LVAEE243FPZCP6GEJBLO1LERK2JW
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  • Story Text: Bulgarian artist Plamen Ignatov spent 17 years of his life and used almost 4,5 million safety matches to create an exact copy of an Orthodox Rila monastery, one of the most revered in the country.
    " I used four million, four hundred and ninety seven thousand safety matches to make it," said Ignatov, whose work went on display as part of the exhibition of miniature churches at Sofia's archaeological museum.
    The miniature Rila monastery is not just a model says Ignatov.
    "This is the smallest operating temple in the world, as Bulgarian Orthodox Church consecrated it in 2008, so marriages and baptisms could be performed in it."
    Ignatov's model is very detailed, with pictures of Jesus on the wall and religious figures painted on the pavement of the courtyard. The artist had to work as a carpenter, wall painter and construction worker to earn bread and to complete his project and says God helped him to live through these difficult times.
    "The smallest details like benches in the real monastery are copied here with greatest love and patience, hard work and talent, given to me by God. I felt God's presence during all this time, so I could say this work has two authors - me and God," Ignatov said.
    The miniature Rila monastery is the jewel of the exhibition at the Sofia Archaeological Museum and Institute and is always surrounded by visitors.
    "I am impressed by the dedication and diligence of the author. The enormous faith he had," said Radosveta, a teacher from Sofia.
    "You have to have a lot of patience and faith to make such thing, 17 years and two months is a lot of time," said 11-year-old Noel.
    The Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
    Other works by Plamen Ignatov such as other church models and Orthodox icons made of matches are also on display along with ceramic miniature churches made by another Bulgarian artist Vihren Mihailov
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