The exhibition "Medicinal Plants of Bulgaria" is organized by the Society of Animalists, Florists and Scientific Illustrators /DAPHNI/, at the invitation of Prof. Georgi Tomov, as a side event of the international scientific conference "CURA BULGARА" organized by him.
The event is organized by the Department of Health and Social Work in collaboration with the Department of Natural Sciences, the Historical Museum of Perushtitsa and DAPHNI.
In 2026, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Raev - the legendary discoverer of the treatment of postencephalitic parkinsonism, a severe, widespread disease with an extremely high mortality rate in the period between the two world wars - will be celebrated. Using the poisonous plant Atropa belladonna, the folk healer created his own recipe, which remains in the world pharmacopoeia under the name “cura bulgara”. Elena Savoyska, Queen of Italy in the first half of the 20th century, actively supported Ivan Raev and had a particularly important contribution to the popularization of his discovery. At her invitation, he went to Italy, where he received a medal for civil merit.
On the occasion of the anniversary, researchers from Bulgaria and abroad will present new and interesting facts related to Ivan Raev, his treatment method, various historical, applied and cultural-anthropological aspects of phytotherapy.
The conference will be accompanied by two exhibitions. One of the exhibitions will present selected works - thematic fiberglass sculptures by students of NBU.
The exhibition “Medicinal Plants of Bulgaria” presents nearly 40 works by 16 authors, members of DAPHNI, including some of the most prominent professionals in the field of scientific illustration. Some of the original illustrations shown in the exhibition have been published in scientific and popular science publications in the last few years. All other works were prepared by the artists specifically for this exhibition and, like the conference, are inspired by the personality and contribution of Ivan Raev.
The exhibition features: Ana Sokerova, Asen Ignatov, Asya Kamenova-Georgieva, Ventsislav Krastev, Georgi Pchelarov, Denitsa Peneva, Denitsa Perikyan, Dina Rogatnykh, Ekaterina Kozhuharova, Zornitsa Garkova, Zlatozar Boev, Milena Hristova, Maria Krumovska, Natalia Stambolova, Nelly Yakimova and Snezina Popova. The exhibition is curated by Hristina Grozdanova, Chief Curator of the Art Fund of the Regional History Museum – Sofia.
PROGRAM:
10:00 Official opening
PANEL 1 | MODERATOR PROF. GALINA SACHANSKA
10:30 – 11:00
Lecture 1:
"Bulgarian treatment of the consequences of lethargic encephalitis
its introduction and reception in Italy" with lecturer Prof. Paolo Mazzarello
11:10 – 11:40
Lecture 2:
"Cura bulgara – the untold story" with lecturer Prof. Georgi Tomov
11:50 – 12:20
Meeting with Assoc. Prof. Tonka Varleva, great-granddaughter of Ivan Raev
12:30 – 13:00
Opening of the exhibition "Ivan Raev and cura bulgara"
curators: Prof. Georgi Tomov and Rumen Ivanov
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch break
PANEL 2 | MODERATOR PROF. GEORGI TOMOV
14:00 – 14:30
Lecture 3:
"Biologically active substances in Ivan Raev's herbal combination"
with lecturer Prof. Galina Sachanska
14:40 – 15:20
Lecture 4:
"Encephalitis lethargica - the mysterious disease" with lecturer Prof. Ivaylo Tarnev
15:30 – 16:00
Lecture 5:
"Matraguna, good mistress! The cult of madness among the Romanians."
with lecturer Dr. Georgi Mishev
16:00
Opening of the exhibition "Medicinal Plants of Bulgaria" by the Society of Animalists, Florists and Scientific Illustrators "DAPHNI"
Curator: Hristina Grozdanova
16:30
Official closing of the conference
Opening: October 30, 2026, 16:00
Venue: Auditorium 2, Library "Bogdan Bogdanov", NBU
Source: FB event
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