The State Museum of the East(link in Russian) opens today a spectacular exhibition: “Saved treasures of Ancient Thrace in from the Vassil Bojkov’s collection”, part of the events and festivities during the Year of Bulgaria in Russia. Two hundred twelve precious artifacts showcase the brilliant skills of the Ancient Thracian Civilization artists, and tell the story of glorious past, mystic rituals and secret Orphic cults.
The Bojkov Collection is comprised of treasures, unearthed from the Bulgarian lands, or acquired in auctions worldwide, and saved from illegal export by its owner, the wealthy Bulgarian businessman Mr. Vassil Bojkov. The entire collection contains 10% of all Thracian artifacts found in the world. The exhibited artifacts are insured for 52 million euros ($68,8 million) and represent the most significant private collection of ancient artifacts in Bulgaria. The owner of the collection, Mr. Vassil Bojkov is known to provide huge funds for the restoration and research of the pieces, offering access to them not only for public enjoyment, but also for study and scientific publication. His private “Thrace Foundation” has the mission of “preserving, studying and promoting the historical and cultural heritage of Bulgaria.” This is the second international exhibition of the Collection, the first being “The Splendors of Bulgaria” in Brussels in occasion of the EU accession of the country.
The chronological range of the Bojkov collection covers 12 centuries of Thracian history: from the Iron age gold, iron and bronze artifacts to the Roman Imperial times, when Thrace became a Roman Province – 2nd. C. A.D.
The Thracian civilization appeared roughly around the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 4th millennium BC. Thrace was a unifying name for the people living on the territory of modern day Bulgaria, Northern Greece, Western Turkey, Romania, Moldova, South Ukraine, the FYROM and Serbia. The first written record about the Thracians comes from Homer, who described in the Iliad the arrival of the Thracian King Rhesus (Latin: “Rex”, English: “Royal”): “His chariot is arrayed with silver and gold, and he has brought his marvelous golden armor, of the rarest workmanship - too splendid for any mortal man to carry, and meant only for the gods”. Several gold and silver objects, including wreaths, rythons, burial masks, and necklaces are part of the “Rescued treasures of Ancient Thrace from the Vassil Bojkov’s collection “ exhibition.
The Thracians had their own religion, Thracian Orphism. They believed that the lifecycle began and never ended – birth and death were followed unconditionally by the afterlife. The Thracian kings, warrior-priests of the Orphic cult, were consecrated through mystical rituals. During those ceremonies they used magnificent artifacts, some of which are displayed as part of the Bojkov Collection in the Museum of the East in Moscow. Perceived by us as gold, silver and platinum treasures, those objects are the ritual relics of man's aspiration for immortality.
The Thracians were also famous in the ancient world for their superb craftsmanship and advanced weaponry. Engaged in constant military conflicts (on the side of the Trojans during the Trojan War, on the side of the Athenians during the Persian Wars), the Thracians mastered the art of war to perfection. Spartacus, the legendary gladiator and slave, turned rebel against the Roman Empire, was born in the Roman province of Thrace. Several artifacts showcasing the military might of the Thracians are exhibited as part of the “Rescued treasures of Ancient Thrace from the Vassil Bojkov’s collection” at the Museum of the East in Moscow.
Most of the Thracian civilization is still waiting to be discovered by archaeologists. Many of the artifacts are lost forever for the public, thanks to illicit antiquity trading and remaining in hidden private collections. The merit of the Bojkov Collection is not only in rescuing them from these criminal owners, but also contributing to the knowledge of the enigmatic Civilization of the Thracians. In ancient times, the Thracian civilization had served as an intermediary of ideas, technologies and artistic traditions between the East and the West. The Thracians contributed also to the continuity between antiquity and modern ages, making their civilization relevant to all Europeans. That is why the “Rescued treasures of Ancient Thrace from the Vassil Bojkov’s collection” is an event to not be missed.
Exhibition Opening: April 15, 2009, at 5 Pm
Press Conference: April 15, 2009, at 2 PM
Scientific Conference:The Gold of the Thracians: myth and reality" April 16, 2009
Exhibition closes on June 21, 2009
Copyright notes:
© 2009 Rossitza Ohridska-Olson, author
© 2009 Thrace Foundation, exhibition information, catalog information and photography
© 2009 Музей Востока - online information
© 2009 Вестник Труд - online information
