Wittgenstein House – the Bulgarian address for culture in the heart of Vienna

In the heart of Vienna, Wittgenstein House has been among the most important spaces for Bulgaria's cultural presence in Europe for years. The Bulgarian Cultural Institute is located in a building that is a masterpiece of modernist architecture. It was designed by philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein and has been presenting Bulgarian art to the Austrian and international public for decades. Its director is Pavel Naydenov – a curator of artistic events and a musician, who recently took the position with the ambition to build on what has been achieved and to open the institution even more widely to the Austrian public, the Bulgarian community and contemporary cultural processes.

In the first days of his mandate, he welcomed representatives of Bulgarian organizations from Europe, participating in a specialized seminar, emphasizing the cooperation of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute with the organizations of compatriots in Austria, among which is the oldest operating one in Europe - the 80-year-old "Cyril and Methodius" organisation in Vienna:

"What I receive as a legacy is a practice of dialogue and I want to deepen this dialogue because I believe in partnerships. In a time of economic and cultural crisis, we need to support each other more than ever. The doors of Wittgenstein House will be open for this type of communication and I am open to hearing what the needs of different associations are and how we can be useful. Perhaps, some mechanisms have not been developed, the world is changing and there are a variety of ways in which we can help each other," Pavel Naydenov pointed out in a special interview for Radio Bulgaria.

The new management of the institute comes at a time when Vienna continues to be among the most active cultural centers in Europe. In this saturated environment, the Bulgarian presence can only be noticed through high-quality and topical cultural events, the new director says.

"With a lot of work, with events that have a very precise program and relevance. We live in times when no one is satisfied with just someone saying nice things. We need to address topics that excite the public, that bring interest and attract an audience. This means current topics, current images and techniques, having the courage to meet the needs of the time."

Among Pavel Naydenov's main priorities is the establishment of the institute as a space for contemporary art and new ideas, without breaking the connection with cultural heritage.

"I think the building of the cultural institute is not just architecture with windows and a roof, but a shout of philosophy and a new thought. The program presented here must respond to this modernity. Guests of the Wittgenstein House will see more and more contemporary authors and titles. I believe in tradition and in its continuation, but stepping on good foundations, we must move forward."

Although his name is not so well-known in Bulgaria, Pavel Naydenov has an impressive international and interdisciplinary background. A musician by training, he graduated in choral conducting from the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv and later specialized in social design at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. He works in the field of contemporary art and curatorial practices and his professional interest is focused on the role of culture as a tool for public engagement and social change.

For nearly a decade, he has also been associated with the Construction Choir Collective, which includes representatives of more than 27 nationalities. The mission of the formation is to take music beyond traditional concert spaces and reach diverse communities on the outskirts of the city.

It is no coincidence that his vision of Bulgarian culture is closely related to active communication with people and social processes.

"I believe that art has always been a tool for reflection on modernity. A large part of the projects I work on are socially engaged and are provoked by stories and situations that I have experienced or seen in Bulgaria. Therefore, I believe that culture and art have the moral responsibility to be a narrative of the times we live in."