October 2–31, 2026
53 Makedonia St.
The former Consulate of the Russian Federation in Varna will open its doors to the public as the main venue for BUNA Vol. 4, titled "Innate Stubbornness" and curated by Lachezar Boyadzhiev and Boyana Dzhikova. This temporary exhibition is organized in partnership with the Municipality of Varna. The building’s architecture, preserved interior, and traces of its former function will form the context in which visitors encounter contemporary artworks.
BUNA will utilize the space temporarily; the exhibition runs until October 31, 2026.
The Russian Consulate is a building charged with numerous symbolic and historical associations, intertwined with stories from the recent past and the political divisions of the present. The space’s future, however, holds great promise. The building is set to become a multidisciplinary cultural center—home to the Graphic Art Gallery and an artist hub—poised to play a vital role in the development of the city’s art scene. The initiative is led by the Municipality of Varna.
As part of the BUNA forum, the public will—for the first time—have free access to the entire building, marking a symbolic shift toward openness, transparency, and accessibility. The festival’s exhibition layout encourages visitors to wander through the consulate’s halls and corridors, replacing the sense of mystery and secrecy with culture, public engagement, and open dialogue. The choice of location also reflects the theme of the fourth edition—"Innate Stubbornness." Here, sustainability is viewed as a form of care for existing spaces: the ability to recognize their potential and the persistence to work towards their future.
