In 2024, the XX edition of the International Exlibris Competition was held, organized by Lyuben Karavelov Regional Library - Ruse, "EX LIBRIS - EX OLYMPIIS" under the patronage and with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria. The theme was dedicated to the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris. The artists interpreted their vision of the Olympic principle "Faster, Higher, Stronger" and the idea of the most famous international competition. 213 artists participated with 278 bookplates from 24 countries. Artists from abroad represented Canada, Russia, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, Montenegro, Romania, Poland, Italy, Mexico, France, Argentina, Croatia, Germany, Slovakia, Greece, Hungary, Ukraine, Spain, Lithuania, Belgium, Moldova, Norway. The youngest participant is Roman Darvu (Canada), born in 2017. The oldest authors are Jocelyn Benoit (Canada) and Martin Bayiss (Belgium), born in 1943.
Jurying was carried out by an expert team composed of: Rumen Kozhuharov, PhD - lecturer at New Bulgarian University, Elizar Milev, PhD - lecturer at the National Academy of Arts, Vlado Goreski ̶ artist, head of the International Triennial of Graphic Art - Bitola (North Macedonia), Ivo Raykov ̶ PhD student and lecturer at the National Academy of Arts, Violeta Apostolova - works in the field of photography and printed graphics, PhD student at St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University, Stoyan Bundzhulov, PhD - lecturer at New Bulgarian University and Assoc. Valentin Savchev - sculptor, Assoc. Prof. Kristina Savova - designer and lecturer at New Bulgarian University, Stefan Dimanov - designer.
In the individual categories the jury determined the three best works. In the category up to 14 years of age these are Victoria Kokovina (Russia), Efrosina Vassileva (Bulgaria) and Veronika Noskova (Russia). In the 14 to 26 category the winners are Ali Osman Tekin (Turkey), Ciak Hei Tsang (Hong Kong) and Asilbek Ardak (Turkey), and in the over 26 category - Andrey Bahnev (Bulgaria), Oksana Budna (Poland) and Eva Plozhkova (Slovakia).
The jury awarded the GRAND PRIX to Andrey Bahnev (Bulgaria) for Ex Libris Paris 2024 3
The AWARD OF THE REGIONAL LIBRARY "LUBEN KARAVELOV" - RUSSE is awarded to Pavel Delecta (Poland) for Ex Libris - Ex Olimpiis Iga Swiatek.
Special diploma of New Bulgarian University for our author in the rising category is awarded to Tanya Kostova (Bulgaria) for Paris.
There were also sponsor awards from: RuseInfo - for Oksana Budna (Poland) (Ex Libris Ex - Olympiis); Ruse Industrial Association - for Chiak Hei Tsang (Hong Kong) (Fairness and equality); Rotary Club of Ruse for Efrosina Vassileva (Bulgaria) (Ex Libris - Ex Olympiis); Rotary Club of Ruse-Dunav for Assylbek Ardak (Turkey) (Assylbek Ardak); Zahari Stoyanov Foundation for Giuseppe Calderon (Bulgaria) (Enjoy start); Lions Club for Carolina Vinyamata (Mexico) (Zeus) and Ezdapress for Elitsa Petrova (Bulgaria) (The jump). All artists who participated in the competition will receive a Certificate of Participation and the winners will receive a diploma.
