Faces on Money--5 Leva

Ivan Milev pictured on the Bulgarian 5 Leva note

The Bulgarian 5 Leva note has a picture of Ivan Milev. He was born just before the turn of the 20^th century in Kazanlak, Bulgaria in the Valley of the Roses.  He lived a short life even for the time.  He died 22 days before his 30^th birthday.  Yet he was gifted artist, and his art is a significant part of Bulgarian culture today.

In researching this article, I looked at a several of his paintings.  They have a distinct Bulgarian feel to them.  They remind me of works of art I have seen in other parts of the country.

This picture in specific caught my attention.  In English its title is “Our Mothers are Always Dressed in Black.”  It was painted in 1926, and considering the times, it would not be surprising that many mothers would have been dressed in black.

Black is the traditional color of mourning.  It is a fading tradition, but you still see the occasional older widow walking around wearing all black.  It makes sense that in the 20’s there would have been a lot of mourning women.  This was shortly after World War I, which began not too far from here on the Balkan Peninsula.  There would have been many dead sons and fathers.  Thus, many mothers during Ivan’s time that would have worn nothing but black.  It is a picture of sorrow and loss that truly a picture that speaks 1000 words.