Competition: 1st International Biennial Competition for Exlibris Sofia 2003.
(Press release)

Rules of the 1st International Biennial Competition for Exlibris-Sofia 2003

Art.1 - The International Exlibris Center Sofia is organizing The 1st International Biennial Competition for Exlibris among the artists from all over the world for an execution of a thematic exlibris.
The purpose of the Biennial Competition of Exlibris - Sofia'03 is to cultivate an interest for the exlibris as a small-sized graphic art for the region of Bulgaria and neighboring countries, also to encourage the development of the bookplate and small-sized graphic art collectors.
The International Biennial Competition for Exlibris - Sofia'03 is organized with the National Library, the Union of the Bulgarian Artists and AEFB.

Art.2 - The Advisory Board of the IEC-SOFIA has chosen the following theme:
The Freedom.

Art.3 - 1. The created exlibris will have the word "Ex Libris";
2. It has to mention the owner's name;
3. The added epigrams are allowed;
4. The maximum size for the image is 13x13cm.

Art.4 - All graphic techniques are permitted except printer and copying machine.

Art.5 - The artists may submit a maximum of 3 Exlibris created in the last two years (2001,2002). No entry fee is required.

Art.6 - Five copies of each exlibris must be forwarded to the following address together with the application form and e-mail address for a connection:
International Exlibris Center - Sofia
1 Jerusalem Str. P.O.box 61
1784 Sofia, BULGARIA

Art.7 - Deadline - 31st of December 2002. **UPDATE** The deadline is now 28th February 2003 - the jury will meet on 1st March 2003.

Art.8 - All sent copies become property of IEC-Sofia.
A copy of each one author will be donated for the museum collection of the National Library and Union of Bulgarian Artists.

Art.9 - The prizes will be for the three ways of the print - high, deep and surface printing.
The selective jury will admire the calligraphic art and the classical way of prints (Engraving, lithography, woodcut, etc).

Art.10 - The international jury will give the following awards:
1. Grand Prize - 750 euro
2. Three Prizes for the different sections of printing - each 350euro
3. Special prize for a young artist (born after 1972) from the Union of Bulgarian Artists - 150 euro
4. Several sponsors' prizes - 150 euro
5. Special merits

Art.11 - All selected works will be included in a luxury full-colored catalogue. Every participant will receive it. A contribution to postage fees ($6 or the equal value in Euro) is requested for non-Bulgarian participants. Please, transfer it to the following bank account:
Commercial Bank "Biochim" Sofia, acc.N 1175624602,
Swiftcode: CBBIBGSF, International Exlibris Center

Art.12 - The awarded artists will be invited to create small-sized prints in the printing house "Samokov". The expenses for the printing will be covered from the IEC-Sofia.

Art.13 - For more information contact:
International Exlibris Center
Fax: ++359 2 975 33 72;
E-mail: iecsofia@anons.bg
With the application for the competition, the artists are in agreement with the rules of the biennial.