The Mayor of Plovdiv Ivan Totev gave the annual awards to the members of the Union of Plovdiv Artists in the categories “Art of paintings”, “Graphics”, “Sculpture” and “Young Artist” during the opening of the traditional Christmas exhibition of one of the oldest Bulgarian unions of artists. The event happened in the fully renovated hall of the Union in Plovdiv (32 Gladstone Str). Eighty-five artists took part with 145 pictures. Artists from a few generations, friends, journalists and fans filled the hall in expectation of the awarding ceremony.
The painters Valchan Petrov and Dimitar Kirov are the bearers of the award for “Art of paintings”. Both of them got the same number of points by the jury, the chairman of which was Snejana Furnadjieva. Magardich Kasapyan was awarded for “Graphics”, Tryfon Nedelchev – for “Scuplture”, and Jenya Bozukova –for “Young artist”. A goodwill award was received by the young artist Christo Bozukov. 
“I am so happy to be here tonight. What is really important for all the citizens is getting more people occupied in culture because it is what determines the attitude for our city. We are TOGETHER not only because of the slogan Plovdiv 2019, but because this is a cause which gets us united. We have plenty of work to do until 2019 and I am pretty confident in our success. “-said the mayor.
Ivan Totev gave a goodwill certificate to all the candidates for awards. The winners in the 4 categories won a money reward by the Municipality of Plovdiv. 
During his speech the mayor wished the artists of Plovdiv to always get over the wear and tear of life, to be happy and inspired by what they are doing, thus inspiring people through the art they create.THE ANNUAL AWARDS OF THE UNION OF PLOVDIV ARTISTS WERE GIVEN BY THE MAYOR