Exhibition at Sofia University Library “St. Kliment Ohridski” dedicated to the 155th anniversary from Todor Chipev’s birth
Sofia University Library welcomes its patron’s day on November 25 with the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the greatest Bulgarian bookseller and publisher of the time before the World War II. Short biographical stories of the publishing house “T. F. Chipev” past introduces the visitors of the cultural history of Bulgaria from the end of the 19th to the middle of the 20th century.
The exhibition presents a selection of Todor Chipev’s collection of approximately 500 published books during his lifetime. Along the emblematic volumes are publications from 1891 to 1901, highlighted of published translations of classical fiction and nonfiction titles, scientific series, and editions of textbooks, classic and children’s literature.
A special place at the exhibition is dedicated to the first independent edition of the novel “Under the Yoke” in Bulgarian language – the publishing house only profitable book. The exhibition also includes Bibliography of Old Print Bulgarian and Slavic Books from 1930, as well as the first issue of the first bibliographic magazine “Bulgarian Book”.
After a half of century of affluent publishing history, Todor Chipev and his family are example of adoration for the essence of the book and the Bulgarian culture in general. Their successful establishment and management of a publishing house and of the largest bookshop on the Balkans, during the first half of the 20th century, still arouses scientific interest among present day researchers and connoisseurs.
The exhibition at the University Library will be on view until the end of February 2023.