Lyuben
Zidarov
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The painterly style of Bulgaria’s edition clearly depicts Harry and Hagrid, with a flourish of sparks emitted from Harry’s wand, as he steps off the Hogwarts Express for the first time. Egmont Bulgaria’s cover is by prominent artist, Lyuben Zidarov, and they describe it as ‘homecoming, like a journey that we know is somehow crucial and that we know is going to stay in the readers’ hearts forever. A journey that is about to change their lives the way it has changed millions of lives before.’
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According to the publisher, Zidarov is the most prominent living Bulgarian children’s illustrator. Reflecting on this edition published in November 2019, he says, ‘J.K. Rowling has enchanted me like a real magician and has shown me her magical world. This has not only inspired me, but has pointed my drawing in a whole new way, a way I have never expected. I am really grateful and honoured to be part of this magical journey.’
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These new editions will feature the art from Lyuben Zidarov, a well-known Bulgarian artist. Zidarov is known for his legendary children’s book illustrations and has illustrated books for over 200 different authors. Zidarov has even been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Award twice for his illustrations and is known for being the oldest acting illustrator in the entire world. Who wouldn’t want a legend like that illustrating our favorite magical book series?
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The 95-year-old artist was given the immense task to create the cover art for the 20th-anniversary editions of the Potter series, and Bulgarian readers were not disappointed with what he produced for them. The unique art celebrates everything that Bulgarian children’s books are known for combined with all the intrigue of Harry Potter.
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Each book cover features vivid colors and unique depictions of some of the iconic scenes we’ve come to love. There are even some interesting and often overlooked scenes that have made their way to the covers. For example, we can see Harry being attacked by grindylows on the cover of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and everyone’s favorite giant, Grawp, is shown front and center on Bulgaria’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
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To celebrate this momentous occasion, an exhibition was held in the Crystal Garden in downtown Sofia showcasing the art from these new anniversary editions.
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Until March 26, residents and visitors of the capital have the opportunity to see the exhibition “The Fairytale World of Lyuben Zidarov”. It is hosted by the Kvadrat 500 artspave of the National Gallery. The show features 10 illustrations of the famous Bulgarian painter who passed away at the age of 99 on January 4, 2023.
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According to Dr. Tanya Staneva, curator at the National Art Gallery, Lyuben Zidarov’s “ deep curiosity about the world, ardour for work and rich imagination are imprinted in his illustrations, which are naturally cpmplementing the text in the books.
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Tanya Staneva also points out that almost every time a book with his illustrations has been reprinted, the artist has reworked his drawings to make them even more vivid. Zidarov has been drawing illustrations and comics for various children’s publications since his school days. Between 1967 and 1970, he was the lead artist of the state publishing house Narodna Mladezh. Some of his most famous illustrations are for The Tales of Scheherazade, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer, Harry Potter complete book series special edition in Bulgarian, and Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales.
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For his contribution to Bulgarian fine arts, Lyuben Zidarov has been awarded a number of prizes, including that of the Union of Bulgarian Artists for Illustration /1976/, the Order of Sts. Cyril and Methodius - first degree in 1963, the Golden Century Award of the Ministry of Culture in 2016 and many others.
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It is not the content, but the illustrations that have become the subject of fierce criticism in our country over the past two weeks. The Bulgarian artist with over 70 years of experience in illustrations, Lyuben Zidarov, is the first native artist approved by J. K. Rowling’s team for the illustrations for the Bulgarian edition of the series about the boy wizard, on the occasion of 20 years since the publication of the first book in our country.
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The maxim that there is no such thing as bad publicity also applies to the “Bulgarian case”. At least out of pure curiosity, those who read the information about the Bulgarian illustrations of Harry Potter search the Net to see the native drawings. And they wrinkle their noses and eyebrows en masse. They classify what they see as “ugly” or determine that it is a “scribble of a 5-year-old”.
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As an element of books, illustrations are an indispensable part of the reception and effect of the plot. How the artist sees them does not always correspond to the images that people build in their minds while reading. There are often discrepancies. On the one hand, if the book is read first and then the film adaptation is watched - the filmmakers are displeased because the actor does not “resemble” the one described by the author. The opposite is true in full force.
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In Bulgaria, the Harry Potter films seem to be more popular than the books. The Bulgarian edition of the first book about the boy wizard was released in 2000 (3 years after it was written), and the Hollywood film adaptation of the first novel was released in 2001. Thus, the close periods (for Bulgaria) of release and film adaptation have an impact on the Bulgarian audience - interest in the books only increased after the first film.
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On the other hand, only now, on the occasion of the celebrations in Bulgaria – “Harry Potter – 20 Years of Magic” – the domestic audience sees illustrations that are different from the original English ones [1]. It was these Bulgarian illustrations that met with disapproval from the Bulgarian audience mainly because of the artist’s style.
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However, how was the topic presented and interpreted in the online space? For Harry Potter fans, this is above all a success worthy of respect. The recognition of Bulgarian talent is considered an incredible achievement, just like the participation of a Bulgarian actor in a Hollywood production (Stanislav Yanevski in the role of Viktor Krum - the captain of the Bulgarian Quidditch team in the fourth part “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”).
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Zidarov is one of the few illustrators in the world who artistically reimagined the Harry Potter story with the support of J. K. Rowling, many of his colleagues say. On the other hand, however, there are opinions that categorically deny Zidarov’s talent, who did not portray the characters and the magical atmosphere believably enough (by his own admission, Zidarov had only read the first book, not all of them, as was the agreement with Rowling’s team, which adds fuel to the fire of his critics).
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The artist’s recognition is undeniable. One of Rowling’s requirements for the film adaptation of the books is that each actor must be of the nationality of the character he is intended to be (which is why, for example, Robin Williams was not approved for the role of Hagrid, since he is not British). Since the illustrations by Lyuben Zidarov are already a fact, all suggestions about who would be more suitable as an illustrator for this series are redundant.
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The case study with illustrations also moved on to more existential issues such as drawing in general, the educational functions of art, and the impact of illustrations on children’s perceptions.
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A large part of the negative comments stem from the oversaturation of consciousness with the image of actor Daniel Radcliffe, who played the boy wizard. Artist Kiril Zlatkov also shares this opinion: “ His [Zidarov’s] encounter with Harry Potter is surprising to me because there is a clash of cultural, social and aesthetic context. Harry Potter is completely trapped in his cinematic image, and always will be. The local visual versions of the books are a bold marketing provocation, which is clearly successful for the moment, due to the great response in society.”
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The sea of information in the online environment also has its positive sides. In addition to generously illuminating public assessments of the case, online media were so kind as to provide their users with informative information about Lyuben Zidarov and the works he illustrated, as well as to offer additional interesting facts from the work process and the preparation of the anniversary editions. This is an example of the encyclopedic nature of the digital environment – a lot of information, supposedly purposeful, but meaningless if the statements are left without arguments. After all, the Harry Potter obsession is an entire culture and for Zidarov, immersion and complicity in it is difficult not only because of his age and its genre. He believes that “ Harry Potter” is not a work of genius, but is like any fashion in the world. For the moment, it is simply popular.
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What is the chronology of the “Zidarov” case? First, of course, the positive news about the success of the Bulgarian illustrator, chosen by the world-famous author, appears. However, the migration from traditional to online media seems to change the electric charge. It is the key moment from which the positive wave turns into a negative one, and at the speed of light. Discussions grow like an avalanche on social networks. And the circle turns – critical comments and the prevailing negativity return triumphantly in television reports, the plus is connected to the minus, the chain closes and, quite naturally, produces a spark.
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The prevailing positions on social networks remain negative, but more importantly, they are largely unsubstantiated. The only ones who show empathy for Zidarov’s work are his colleagues. Yes, he has been defined as a great and deserving artist, but by artists!
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Kiril Zlatkov, artist: “Lyuben Zidarov is one of our greatest artists. His illustrations are a contribution to illustration as an art form in general. No one should comment on or question his professional qualities. His encounter with Harry Potter is surprising to me because there is a clash of cultural, social and aesthetic contexts.”
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The achievement is also worth highlighting: “ The fact that Bulgaria has its own author’s covers for these books is only a plus for our society. That was our goal - to place a Bulgarian illustrator next to the other artists who had the honor of drawing the Harry Potter series ,” says Velizara Dobreva, executive director of Egmont Publishing House .
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A comment under a publication in “Dnevnik” also reveals the eyes of a specialist. Or at least a connoisseur: “ If I were an illustrator of children’s literature, I would draw the Harry Potter universe like Kazu Kibuishi. But the first edition that my child and I fell in love with has a cover by Thomas Taylor and we would not wait 16 years for Kibuishi. Because the important thing for us is the author JK Rowling with the words that came to life in our minds. These are not picture books. There is also a place for the covers of Jonny Duddle’s Doodles, Mary Grandpre, Jim Kay, Lyuben Zidarov. Please respect the work of others! “
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Users do not fail to express their opinions in a more artistic and ironic way: Dragomir Simeonov (probably Drago Simeonov from Darik): “ The only greater threat to our children than the Norwegians [a reference to the events in Sliven and the hysteria surrounding the controversial document “Strategy of the Child” - note D.T.] are Lyuben Zidarov’s illustrations for “Harry Potter”. Quickly put them away, it’s getting scary ...”.
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Pam Velidis: “ I may not share every day which book I’m reading, but when I see unforgettable covers, I always make a collage while drinking coffee and wine .”
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Others, in a more subtle way, also announced that they did not like Zidarov’s illustrations. Political scientist and lecturer Evgeniy Dainov wrote: “ At the end of a long but fruitful creative day, I see that there is an inflammation going on in FB regarding illustrations for children’s books. Sorry, guys, this is the standard... “, his post being accompanied by illustrations by the Russian artist of Lithuanian origin Vadim Lazarkevich, whose life is connected with Bulgaria.
And if we still return to Zidarov, the works he illustrated in his over 70-year career were mainly listed. A large part of society does not believe that this respectful biographical reference is sufficient for the illustrations to be accepted without remarks. Authority is not always enough, and it is constantly being built. The sensible condemned the criticism against Zidarov, but since so many people do not like these illustrations, can it be argued that the Bulgarian success is slightly overrated? Art should not be explained. If we come to interpretations, we only confirm the axiom that everyone understands it differently. The disputes arose around the illustrations for “Harry Potter”. But in some opinions, the experience so far with works by Zidarov from 10-15 years ago and more is evident:
Elisaveta Belobradova, known on social media as Letiashtata Kozzila Erato, in her characteristic style gives the problem almost libidinous dimensions: “I spent my childhood with him, because I read like crazy. I remember all his illustrations clearly. They ruined more than one or two books for me. The traumas I have from his work are indelible. (…) Then I grew up and realized that he was a genius. And I’m not sure, I went back to my children’s books and looked, looked. I was disgusted. Still so terrible and ugly.”
Reading such posts on social networks, one can safely say that Zidarov is a controversial artist; that he is not for mass consumption. That he is more “suited” to an audience of connoisseurs and specialists. Or an audience with imagination that can make sense of the rougher and imperfect lines in a new, parallel plot. “ I have such reproaches - “distorted figures”. Well, I can’t help but deform the figure. Deformation is a basis that directs the main thought to what both the author and the illustrator want to express, “ the artist shares about the violent reactions to his style, which he attributes to mass ignorance (let’s not forget a similar case from last year, which was also incorrectly “read” - the provocation of Oda Jaune ).
Art will continue to be a part of literature, cinema, as it gives new meaning and creates a field for imagination. “ The child only needs a hint and his imagination, his fantasy builds what he needs to perceive ,” the artist added in an interview with bTV.
Egmont Publishing House has released seven new anniversary editions of the Harry Potter books this week on the occasion of the anniversary of the release in Bulgaria of J. K. Rowling’s first novel, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” The covers of all the books were drawn by the 95-year-old Bulgarian illustrator Lyuben Zidarov - an artist with over 70 years of creative biography, author of illustrations for over 200 publications, including “Andersen’s Fairy Tales”, “The Tales of Scheherazade”, “Tom Sawyer”, “Treasure Island”, “The Prince and the Pauper”, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and others.
The releases are just part of a year-long series of events that will mark the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter’s symbolic arrival in Bulgaria, but Lyuben Zidarov’s distinctive style has turned the presentation of the books into a heated discussion on Facebook. It started with a few comments that called the illustrations frankly ugly and within 24 hours provoked a wave of reactions. In response, famous figures related to literature and book publishing, including illustrators, defended both Zidarov’s work and the need for diversity in the book market, in which every reader has the opportunity to choose according to their taste and interests.
Seven anniversary editions of the most widely read series in the world – about Harry Potter – will appear with illustrations by Lyuben Zidarov. They will be released on November 13 – the same date in 2000 when the first book about the little wizard, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling, was released in Bulgaria. Starting today, the illustrations can be seen in an open-air exhibition in the capital’s “Crystal” garden.
During more than seventy years of active creative activity, Lyuben Zidarov has illustrated over 200 titles from Bulgarian and world literary classics. Today, he is among the few illustrators in the world who has artistically reimagined the Harry Potter story.
The premiere of the Bulgarian editions will be on November 13 at the National Palace of Culture, when the official start of a whole year of anniversary celebrations will be given. From 6 p.m. on the same day, the final of the previously launched national competition for author’s drawings inspired by the novels will be held at the capital’s Club 1. 896 children from first to seventh grade from all over the country have participated in the competition. The jury, which will determine the winners in three age categories, includes Lyuben Zidarov himself, the popular vlogger Stan and one of the most ardent fans of the books - Mihail Kostov. The three will also present the awards to the authors of the best drawings. A little earlier, from 4 p.m., Club 1 will open its doors to present an exhibition of drawings from the competition.
A fierce debate on social networks was sparked by the newly released series of 7 anniversary editions in Bulgarian of the Harry Potter books, illustrated by the great Bulgarian artist Lyuben Zidarov.
Facebook users were divided in their opinions about whether or not the illustrations were ugly and whether they belonged there.
“For God’s sake, brothers and sisters, don’t buy your children these books, lest you traumatize them,” said the opponents.
People on the other side, on the other hand, highlighted the merits and qualities of Lyuben Zidarov, who is 95 years old and has a 70-year history in Bulgarian illustration. According to them, the illustrations in the publications are aesthetically pleasing.
Whoever was chosen as the illustrator for this series, there would be a “for” and “against” faction - no matter what the name was and what the final result was, Dr. Milena Radeva - illustrator and creator of the website “Bulgarian Illustration” - emphasized to the Bulgarian National Radio.
“Maybe things really got out of control. In my opinion, one of the reasons is that we are talking about the name Lyuben Zidarov. Many people associate his name with another time, with other illustrations, with another way of working and at least the political environment in which he worked. A large part of people really associate his name with the so-called social illustrations,” she commented on the program “Before Everyone” on the program “Horizont”. And she added categorically:
“His illustrations, both then and now, are not socialist in any way. They are sustained in an exceptional personal stylistic style that he created over the years and in the development of his aesthetic language and creative development. They have nothing to do with those illustrations that we call socialist and that actually look and build socialist realism in the 50s and 60s. Lyuben Zidarov develops what we see today and on the covers of Harry Potter, in the years after the 60s and 70s, and he builds his characteristic style as an artist in later years.”
Dr. Radeva believes that there is also a division on the topic within the guild, which she believes is very important:
“The guild has its own opinion and the people in it have their own opinion and they are not afraid to express it and stand behind it.”
These covers will remain like the Bulgarian covers for Harry Potter – whether they are good or not, Dr. Radeva emphasized, adding that the publishing house may decide to do a second take:
“Not necessarily to fix it, but to give another perspective on these covers - it would be really nice to have another option, why not.”
Arumor is circulating on Bulgarian Facebook and is gaining momentum - the anniversary series about Harry Potter with illustrations by Lyuben Zidarov is about to be withdrawn from the Bulgarian book market. The rumor cites the heated controversy surrounding the artist’s version of the little wizard as the reason.
These rumors turned out to be yet another fake news - Egmont Publishing House told Slaveykov Square that they had no intention of stopping the publications.
“We have clearly expressed our attitude towards the work of Lyuben Zidarov with the anniversary edition of “Harry Potter” - said Velizara Dobreva, executive director of “Egmont”. - The fact that Bulgaria has its own author’s covers for these books is only a plus for our society. That was our goal - to place a Bulgarian illustrator among the other artists who had the honor of drawing the Harry Potter series.”
Currently, three versions of the books can be found in the country’s retail network - in addition to the anniversary ones with drawings by Lyuben Zidarov, they are also available with illustrations by Johnny Doodle and Jim Kay.