In memoriam: Teofana Matakieva-Lilkova – Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM

7. III. 1943 – 19. VIII. 2026

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teofana Matakieva-Lilkova on 19.08.2026 – a prominent Bulgarian art historian, researcher of Bulgarian Christian art, director of the National Museum of History (2001), one of the specialists who contributed to the establishment and consolidation of the National Museum of History as a leading national cultural and scientific institution.

Teofana Matakieva’s professional career began at the National Museum of History in the first years after its establishment. Immediately after graduating from the “History of Art” major at the Academy of Arts in Sofia in 1977, she joined the newly established museum as curator of the “Church Art” collection. In 1978, she participated in the preparation of one of the first major exhibitions of the National Museum of Fine Arts – “100 Years of the Liberation of Bulgaria” and “The Golden Monastery” in Germany in 1994.

Having invested her efforts and enthusiasm in the creation, completion, research and popularisation of one of the most significant collections of the museum – “Icons and Church Utensils”, creator of one of the richest parts of the National Museum’s exposition dedicated to Renaissance art, Teofana Matakieva left a lasting mark on the history of the institution.

Her long-term research work is dedicated to Bulgarian Christian art. In 1987, she defended a dissertation on the iconography of the patron saint of the Bulgarian people – St. Ivan Rilski and the spread of his image and life scenes in art from the 13th to the 19th centuries. She is the author of a number of catalogues of church monuments from the National Museum of National History, including “Icons in Bulgaria”.
In 1990, Teofana Matakieva took over the management of the “Bulgarian Revival” department, and between 1996 and 2000 she was deputy director for scientific and exhibition activities. From February to December 2001, she served as director of the National Museum of National History.

For those who had the good fortune to work with her, Teofana Matakieva will remain much more than a respected specialist and colleague with vast professional experience. Behind her profound knowledge and demanding work, they will always remember the extremely delicate person who possessed the rare ability to listen, understand and support. Attentive and well-intentioned, she was able to share her knowledge and experience without imposing them and turning them into a demonstration of authority.

Farewell, Fanny! We will miss you!

The Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM expresses its sincere condolences to the family, relatives, colleagues and friends of Teofana Matakieva-Lilkova.

A tribute to her bright memory!

The service will take place on August 23, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the church “St. George the Victorious” at 90 St. Patriarch Evtimiy Blvd.