Lyuben Zidarov
A Homecoming in Paint
When Lyuben Zidarov was selected to illustrate the 20th-anniversary editions of the Harry Potter series in Bulgaria, it marked a homecoming of sorts—not only for the beloved wizard returning to shelves, but for a nation’s most revered illustrator returning to the fantasy genre. Zidarov’s painterly style was perfectly suited to evoke the whimsy and wonder of J.K. Rowling’s world, and his cover for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone vividly captures Harry and Hagrid as they disembark the Hogwarts Express for the first time. Sparks from Harry’s wand light the scene with symbolic significance: the beginning of a journey, both for the Boy Who Lived and for generations of Bulgarian readers.
Egmont Bulgaria described this artwork as “a journey that is about to change their lives the way it has changed millions of lives before.” The covers became more than illustrations—they became vessels of nostalgia, pride, and cultural identity.
A National Treasure
Zidarov, described as the most prominent living Bulgarian children’s illustrator, was 95 years old when the series was released in November 2019. He was not only a legend in Bulgaria, with a career spanning more than seven decades and over 200 illustrated books, but also twice nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. His illustrations, which once brought to life Treasure Island, Scheherazade, Tom Sawyer, and Andersen’s Fairy Tales, were now enchanting a new generation of readers through the Wizarding World.
Despite his age, Zidarov took on the Harry Potter project with great enthusiasm. “J.K. Rowling has enchanted me like a real magician,” he said, “and has shown me her magical world. This has not only inspired me but pointed my drawing in a whole new way, a way I had never expected.” The Harry Potter project pushed even a seasoned artist into uncharted creative territory.
A New Vision of a Global Story
Each of Zidarov’s seven covers for the Bulgarian editions was distinct and brimming with imaginative detail. From Harry’s confrontation with grindylows in Goblet of Fire to the towering presence of Grawp in Order of the Phoenix, Zidarov chose scenes often overlooked in previous international editions. His choices were deliberate and grounded in the Bulgarian tradition of storybook illustration—playful, expressive, bold.
These weren’t polished, cinematic likenesses of Daniel Radcliffe and company. Rather, Zidarov offered raw, expressive interpretations that harked back to a time before movie tie-ins and mass-branding. In doing so, he created a version of Harry Potter that felt uniquely Bulgarian.
Praise and Provocation
Yet not all reactions to Zidarov’s work were positive. The release sparked fierce debate across social media. Some called the illustrations “ugly” or compared them to “scribbles of a five-year-old.” Others lamented the departure from the cinematic visuals they’d grown up with. Many were unaware—or dismissive—of Zidarov’s immense legacy in illustration. The clash, as artist Kiril Zlatkov observed, was not simply about aesthetics but a “clash of cultural, social and aesthetic contexts.” Harry Potter, forever imprinted with Radcliffe’s face, was now being reshaped by an artist with no allegiance to Hollywood or fan expectations.
For many Bulgarians, Zidarov’s Harry was jarring. The artist himself admitted he had read only the first book. Instead, he worked closely with a co-illustrator who provided him with descriptions of characters and scenes. “I don’t think it’s an uninteresting job,” he said, “but Harry Potter has gotten on my nerves so much that I don’t really want to talk about him.”
Art Beyond Approval
Despite the polarizing reception, Zidarov’s covers received high praise from none other than J.K. Rowling herself. Upon seeing the first edition’s artwork, she responded: “A wonderful cover. Congratulations. Keep up the good work!” Her approval, however, meant little to Zidarov. “You don’t become better just because someone praises you,” he said. “If you are a normal person and understand what you’ve done, someone’s praise does not affect you much.”
This attitude—proud, contemplative, and indifferent to popularity—defined Zidarov’s approach throughout the project. “I would rather reread Alice in Wonderland than get to Harry Potter,” he once confessed.
A Lifelong Devotion to Illustration
Born in 1923, Zidarov’s life was dedicated to children’s literature. He began drawing for magazines as a student and worked as lead artist at Narodna Mladezh from 1967 to 1970. Over his lifetime, he received numerous accolades: the Order of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the Golden Century Award, and the 1976 Prize of the Union of Bulgarian Artists for Illustration.
According to curator Dr. Tanya Staneva, his “deep curiosity about the world, ardour for work and rich imagination are imprinted in his illustrations.” In fact, every time one of his books was reprinted, Zidarov would revise and rework his images—never satisfied, always evolving. His covers were never frozen in time; they matured alongside him.
Legacy and Final Brushstrokes
The release of the anniversary editions was accompanied by a national exhibition titled “The Fairytale World of Lyuben Zidarov,” held in the Crystal Garden of downtown Sofia and at the National Gallery. There, visitors could view ten large-format illustrations from the Harry Potter series, a final celebration of the artist’s contribution to Bulgarian literature.
Lyuben Zidarov passed away on January 4, 2023, at the age of 99. He left behind a legacy not just of books, but of reimagined childhoods and inspired imaginations. While his Potter covers sparked fierce debate, they also reignited a discussion about the role of illustration in literature, about national identity in global franchises, and about the courage of artistic vision.
His Harry may not be your Harry. But he is indelibly Zidarov’s—and through him, Bulgaria’s.
Between Imagination and Memory
Art, especially in children’s literature, does not need to be pretty—it needs to be alive. Lyuben Zidarov believed children should not be coddled with neat perfection, but challenged with mystery, complexity, and wonder. His covers are less about pleasing and more about provoking—like all true art should be.
Whether you see them as bold or bizarre, Zidarov’s Harry Potter illustrations are unforgettable. And in the ever-expanding universe of interpretations, that is perhaps the greatest magic of all.