Ex Libris - Ex trains Competition for Artists of all Ages and a Cash Prize of € 500 from the Regional Library

The regional library "Lyubin Karafilov" invites artists from all over the world to participate in the 17th International Ex Libris - Ex trains Competition. In the third millennium the Latin phrase “ex libris” is much more a mental label than just a symbol or seal, which indicates the holder of a book. In the modern technological world, the clear picture is like a kaleidoscope of elegance and creative freedom. Maybe so, but because of many other reasons, in Ruse and at Lyuben Karavelov Regional Library in 2005 not accidentally the idea to create a unique international ex-libris competition "was born". So over the years, various cultural and symbolic events in Bulgaria and around the world are embedded in Ruse ex-libris as a sign of belonging to the present. The contest became a phenomenon of collective cultural memory. The artworks acquired encyclopedic value of intangible heritage created with special signs and modern messages to generations. Thanks to the idea Danube coast and the library became a wharf and home to dozens of international exlibris artists. Each subsequent edition of the competition shows how rich and varied may be the human imagination. Even within a theme that is always chosen very precisely, the competition aims to create new identities and is a catalyst of inimitable artistic insight.

• Grand Prix in the amount of 500 euro.
• Special award of Lyuben Karavelov Regional Library and Sponsor awards.
• After a preliminary selection of the works admitted, each artist who made a submission will have one of their works presented in a printed catalog. The catalog will be issued to each featured participant under the condition that postal charges are paid for. 
• Each artist meeting the requirements of the Competition gets an electronic certificate of participation. 
• All received works are published on the Regional library’s website (www.libruse.bg) and participate in a representative exhibition organized in the period October – December 2021. The selection and awards are determined by an international jury of over 30 specially invited experts.

• The competition is open to artists of all nationalities, without age restrictions.
• The participants are divided into three age categories:
• Artists below 14 years of age;
• Artists between 14 and 26 years of age;
• Artists 26 years of age and above.
• All graphic techniques are eligible unless they include replication according to the International standard identifier for EX LIBRIS. Each artist may participate with a maximum of 3 (three) pieces of work. Each piece of work submitted must include 4 prints: 1 copy for the depot of the Graphic Cabinet, 2 for exhibitions, 1 copy for the exchange fund of the Library.
• Each piece of work submitted should be labeled with the participant’s name, signature, date, and title of work, along with a complete application form. 
• Submissions should be made in English. In case that there is any change to the information supplied on the application form, the artist is obliged to notify the Library.
• The artwork must contain the text “EX LIBRIS – EX TRAINS”. Other signs, letters, words, and texts, may also be included. Each copy must be signed according to international standards and dated by the author. The maximum size of the image is 130/130 mm and of the graphic sheet 150/210 mm.
• Copyright of the submitted work remains with the artist. Lyuben Karavelov Regional Library becomes the owner and acquires the rights to use, for an indefinite period of time, the sent works, or parts of them, in many ways by any means, including exhibitions, publications, and advertising, without the need of explicit consent of the author and without paying the author for that. By signing the application form, the author certifies the adoption of the competition’s regulation and consent to perform all the above actions for the submitted works that might otherwise constitute a violation of the moral rights of participants. Any received work will not be returned to the artist and will become a part of the permanent collection of the Graphic Cabinet and the Library.

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