Bulgarian Pavilion, Biennale Architettura 2023

“From Darkness to Light,” the Bulgarian Pavilion at the 2023 Architecture Biennale, commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Chamber of Architects, the Union of Architects of Bulgaria, and curated by POV Architects, addresses the country’s significant population decline, which has led to the closure of many schools due to the decrease in the number of children. While some buildings have been converted, a considerable number still lie abandoned. The exhibition seeks to explore alternative solutions and futures in response to continuing urban decay and rural depopulation. It features the works of photographer Alexander Dumarey, providing a platform to discuss and speculate on these pressing issues.