NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, US & GURKOVO, BULGARIA – Alfa Art Gallery, a cornerstone of the New Brunswick arts community, proudly announces the grand opening of the Alfa Art Center: Alfa Art Gallery and Alfa House of Art and Science in Gurkovo, Bulgaria. This landmark initiative not only broadens Alfa Art Gallery’s reach but also establishes profound new roots in the homeland of its visionary founder, Vesselin Kourtev.
The new center in Gurkovo, Vesselins’ home city, is envisioned as a vibrant hub for interdisciplinary learning and exhibition, fostering a unique intersection of communities. Dedicated staff from Alfa Art Gallery, both in the United States and Bulgaria, have worked tirelessly to cultivate strong connections between New Brunswick, NJ, and the citizens of Gurkovo.
“We are incredibly thankful not only for the opportunity to establish ourselves in Gurkovo, but for the remarkably warm welcome we have received from our fellow citizens,” states Vesselin Kourtev, Founder of Alfa Art Gallery.
Vesselin expresses sincere gratitude to all the people who contributed to the construction of Alfa Art Center: Krasimir Penchev, Hristo Dalgachev, Mimi Ivanov, Donika Kurteva, Dimo Kurtev, Stoika Koleva-Kurteva, Hristo Lyurtov, Dimo Dimov, Zhivko Kovachev, Asen Asenov, Rashko Rashkov
The highly anticipated inauguration of the Alfa Art Center will take place on Friday, July 11th, 2025, with a ceremony of profound cultural and spiritual significance. The event will be honored by the esteemed presence of Kancho Papazov, Mayor of Gurkovo Municipality and His Holiness Vasil, head of the Gurkovo Orthodox Church, underscoring the deep connection this center aims to forge within the Bulgarian community. Officials, artists, patrons, and community members from Gurkovo and the surrounding area will be in attendance.
The inauguration ceremonies will commence with a symbolic ribbon-cutting, officially marking the center’s debut. Following this, guests will enjoy a cocktail hour, fostering connections and cultural exchange. The evening will conclude with a beautiful lantern lighting ceremony, symbolizing hope, enlightenment, and the bright future of cross-cultural collaboration.
Official guests:
• Prof. Dr. Ivan Bochev, former Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Veliko Tarnovo University
• Art historian Prof. Dr. Marin Dobrev, Department of Art History and Art Education, Veliko Tarnovo University
• Georgi Dinev, Fine Art Artist and Director of the Burgas Art Gallery “Petko Zadgorski”
• Prof. Dr. Emilia Konstantinova, Professor of Art Management and Head of the Department of Art Theory at the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Prof. Asen Diamandiev” – Plovdiv.
• Kancho Papazov, Mayor of Gurkovo Municipality
• Dimitar Drachev, Chairman of the Municipal Council, Gurkovo
• Mariana Marinova, Secretary of Gurkovo Municipality
• Dora Ilieva, Chairman of the National Community Center “Rodina” – Stara Zagora
• Dr. Krasimir Peychev, former manager of the Social Center “District Polyclinic”, Kazanlak
• Stanyo Georgiev, Deputy Mayor of Gurkovo
• Dimo Dimov, Mayor of Gurkovo, 1997 – 2003
• Ivan Ivanov, Mayor of Gurkovo 2015 – 2019
• Petar Dryanov, Mayor of Gurkovo, 1972 – 1976 and director of the primary school “Hristo Smirnenski” – 1956 – 1991, Gurkovo
• Kolyo Atanasov, CEO, BULMETAL, Gurkovo
• Gergana Tzoneva, Secretary, and Mimi Bankova, librarian, community center “Voyvoda Gencho Kargov”
Alfa Art Center
Alfa Art Gallery
Alfa House of Art and Science
Non-Profit Organisation
Alexander Battenberg Стреет №8
Gurkovo 6199, Bulgaria
