Author: Biljana Đogić / Cinematographer and Editor: Bogdan Đurić / Camera Assistant: Nikola Đogić
At the end of August 2025, Belgrade became a center of contemporary ecclesiastical art. In the Gallery of the Ilija Milosavljević Kolarac Endowment, the international exhibition The Light of the Logos was solemnly opened, attended by some of the most prominent iconographers of today.
This multidisciplinary event and international juried exhibition of sacred art, organized by the Kaleidoskop Cultural Center, have, over the previous years, established themselves as the most significant collective manifestation of contemporary sacred art in the region, and - due to their scope, quality, and artistic reach - one of the leading events of its kind in Europe.
The exhibition is held with the blessing of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, under the patronage of UNESCO, and has been included on the global map of events marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. With a total of 130 works, The Light of the Logos brings together 97 artists from 12 countries.
The exhibition was opened before a large audience by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, who emphasized that “the light of the Logos of Christ the Lord gathers all who are present - the true, gentle, and joy-bringing light, the light of God the Father".
This event, dedicated to marking 850 years since the birth of Saint Sava, the first Serbian Archbishop, enlightener, and spiritual father of the Serbian people, who himself oversaw the creation of frescoes in Studenica, can be viewed in the video report below.
Artists from 12 Countries and 130 Icons
Visitors had the opportunity to see 130 icons by authors from Serbia, Romania, Greece, Italy, the United States, Cuba, Bulgaria, Belarus, Republika Srpska, Germany, Latvia, and the Philippines.
Particular attention was drawn to the arrival of Romanian artist Grigore Popescu-Muscel, one of the most esteemed living icon painters in Europe, whose works adorn more than fifty churches.
Prof. Dr. Todor Mitrović, Dean of the Academy for Arts and Conservation of the Serbian Orthodox Church, noted that Popescu is considered a “national treasure” in Romania and that his work has been crucial to the revival of traditional fresco techniques.
Popescu, originally from Muntenia, graduated in Timișoara, where, as he says, he met many Serbs and developed deep cultural ties with Serbian medieval art:
“Serbia has given us a very good picture of the preservation of Orthodoxy in Europe, which I also found on Mount Athos and in the Romanian monasteries of Tismana and Cozia. We are, in fact, on both sides - together”.
During his stay in Belgrade, Popescu took part in two masterclasses where he painted live before an audience alongside Romanian and Serbian artists, sharing his experience. Speaking about his work, he added:
“Every day, just when the world seems most beautiful to you, a flood comes. And the next day you rise - meaning you survived it and freed yourself".
Grigore Popescu-Muscel in Belgrade, photo: Marko Rupena
Masterclasses and Artist Encounters
Alongside Popescu, distinguished Romanian iconographers Mihai Coman, professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, and his colleague Andrei Mușat also took part in the masterclasses.
Mușat emphasized the warmth of the Serbian artistic community:
“I have never felt as much at home as I did in Serbia. That closeness and warmth are something truly special”.
For many young artists, this was a unique moment to meet and observe the work of creators whose art they have studied for years. “It is unusual and touching to see in person the artists whose work we analyzed from books at the Academy”, said visual artist Sanja Miladinović.
Gilding as a Contemporary Artistic Practice
Within the exhibition, a three-day workshop titled The Art of Gilding: Tradition and Innovation was held, led by art gilder and painter Todor Lepčević, recipient of the Art Council Award for the originality of his painted icon concept. The workshop attracted a large audience, and Lepčević presented his innovative method of icon creation.
Prof. Todor Mitrović emphasized that contemporary iconography in Serbia is developing rapidly and that more and more artists are searching for an authentic expression within traditional techniques.
Art as Community
In closing, Grigore Popescu expressed his gratitude to all participants and organizers:
“People who walk the path of this art give it not only theological, but also moral and professional meaning”.
Romanian and Serbian artists at the Kolarac Endowment, 2025, photo: Dumitru Zaharia
The Light of the Logos as a Model of Interdisciplinary Engagement in Art, Education, and Cultural Dialogue
A special recognition of the importance of this project is the fact that UNESCO included The Light of the Logos on the global map of events marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
In doing so, the international community has recognized the exhibition as a model of interdisciplinary activity in the fields of art, education, and cultural dialogue, placing Belgrade and Serbia as an important point on the global map of cultural events.
In this way, The Light of the Logos affirms and presents a part of Serbia’s authentic cultural heritage, bringing it before an international audience and confirming its universal significance and contemporary relevance.
The Light of the Logos transcends the boundaries of a traditional exhibition event and becomes a living center of artistic exchange, knowledge, experience, and spiritual dialogue.
Music in the film: Živa Voda Ensemble – Ljiljana Popović (solist and songwriter), Viktor Ilić (classical guitar professor), Predrag Nedeljković (clarinetist).
This report is part of the project Serbian Culture in the Focus of UNESCO, through which the Kaleidoskop Cultural Center marks the 850th anniversary of the birth of Saint Sava and, at UNESCO’s invitation, joins the global celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Convention on Cultural Diversity.
The project is co-funded by the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications. The views expressed in this supported media project do not necessarily reflect those of the institution that provided the funding.
Photo credit: Marko Rupena / Cover photo: Grigori Popescu-Muscel
READ ALSO:
PALACE OF SERBIA: PRIMER OF CONTEMPORARY ART
RETROSPECTIVE: THE LIGHT OF THE LOGOS 2025
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