Бизнес

Georgi Stoilov Nikolov is a sculptor-performer, a "stoneworker", married, has a daughter, Aquarius. He graduated from the Construction Technical School in Bratsigovo, specialty "Extraction and Processing of Rock and Cladding Materials". He gave up the opportunity to study in Sofia because of his love for wood and stone and as he himself said: "Because craft is craft". Before the 1989 changes he worked at Marble and Granite for 19 years. Our conversation begins with memories and excitement about what he did at the time:
"As soon as any city of Bulgaria will be visited by the Diplomatic Corps, we were there: water cascades, fountains, bas-reliefs - we are talking about the cities of Smolyan, Blagoevgrad, Kardzhali, Haskovo. As for Velingrad in connection with its 40th anniversary, we made the rhyolite cladding of the "Monument of Resistance" and when I saw the spray on the monument, I felt pain. In the Apriltsi Park in Bratsigovo there are 3 made by me bas-reliefs. But that's in the past.
After the changes of 1989 I worked a year of time on the craft in the Czech Republic. I am satisfied with my stay there because I did what I love: bas-reliefs, plastic, and only granite. And people appreciated me in dignity, and I gained a little "European experience", especially in terms of business. The last ten years I have been oriented towards small and modern plastic because it is bought.It is sad, but times are like this and the "classic" is not in demand. The truth is that there is no market for the stone - for example, the fountain that has been on display in the Business Center for so long no one buys it, although things are sold at half the price of their true value.
Everything that is sold in my shop (it is just opposite the entrance to the Central Beach) is author stuff. Over the years, I have built my own personal style, which is a combination of wood and stone. It should be known that the stone, like the tree, has a "soul" that you should feel and know. Otherwise, nothing happens. I am glad that my works are available not only in our country but also around the world: for example, in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, England. In Greece there is one of my icon-barrelf (icon of stone), and with the gallery-bazaar of Mr. Antonio Stojanovski in Skopje we maintain very close contacts. In his gallery there are always my works on display, even now I have an order for 50 new plastics.
For me it is a recognition of my work that for the third consecutive year I have been entrusted with the making of the Bridge Tournament Cup, which has become traditional for our city. I admit that I was also very excited when the Municipality entrusted me with the making of the prize and the statuette of the Municipality for the First Balkan Classical Guitar Festival.
For myself, I have a maxim that my time has proven to be true: one must believe in one's hands and not be maximalist in terms of monetary recognition of one's work. Times are very difficult for everyone and this is especially felt in the small town. Here the lack of security is especially strongly felt, and the trade revolves around the circle of friends and acquaintances.
My desire is for everything to fall into place, which means not only to give crazy money for luxury cars for example, but to give money for art objects as well. I've noticed that people who have money don't buy, they're not art connoisseurs. And there are connoisseurs, only they have no money. The joy is that they are more, and we will not always be poor. This, in my opinion, will happen when we all begin to appreciate other people's labor and stop with vandalism. Now not only is not being done or too little is being done, but it is ruining what has been done. Now like all people, I'm pressed by the times we live in, and it's hard and uncertain, and so it doesn't always work out what I thought it would. My dream is that the day will come when I will work for pleasure. I believe in that!".
Veska Bozhkova