The works of Bulgarian sculptor Ivan Minekov have been chosen for exhibition as part of the 23rd International Ballet Competition Varna 2008.

The show opened on July 17 in Alfa Art Gallery III in the Black Sea city's Palace of Culture and Sport.

Given the event that it accompanies, the theme of Minekov's exhibition is overarchingly ballet, with 12 statues of various sizes representing the art. Among those on display is his newest work, entitled Ballerina, which will be conferred as the grand prize to the winner in the young age category of the dance competition.

Paintings by Minekov's daughter, the London-based Paola Minekova, complement Minekov's works, along with canvases by Varna artist Svetlin Nenov. The show is on until July 30.

Minekov's history as an artist dates back to the 1970s, when, between 1975-1990, he was the man who designed many of the communist-stylised statues in cities around Bulgaria, like Bourgas, Dorkovo, Lovech, Rousse and his native Pazardjik.

Today his works can be found in private collections around Europe, and in Israel, Japan and the United States. At present, he is working on a memorial to the Bulgarian Jews in World War 2, and a monument to be placed at the site of the El Al civilian airliner crash, which was shot down over Bulgaria in 1955.