The Gaudenz B. Ruf Award was set up in 2007 by the former Swiss ambassador to Bulgaria who, during his stay from 1995 to 2000, became acquainted with the rich cultural life of the country and convinced of its artistic potential.

The Award is financed through a fund established in Switzerland. The aim of the Award is to promote and propagate artistic expression in Bulgaria in the field of visual arts and to focus in particular on the younger generation.

The Award is granted annually to a young and to an advanced artist, within the framework of a competition (www.ruf-award.org).

The first competition was announced in 2007 and the winners were Svetozara Alexandrova and Krassimir Terziev.

In 2008, the Gaudenz B. Ruf Award is attributed for the second time.

The members of the jury are: Kamen Balkanski, Sofia; Luchezar Boyadjiev, Sofia; Lucia Coray, Zurich; Elena Panayotova, Sofia; Hedwig Saxenhuber, Vienna; Gaudenz B. Ruf, Berne.

At their meeting in May, they selected, among the numerous applicants, the following 16 candidates to be included in the shortlist 2008:

Category Young Artists: Dimitar Genchev, Sofia; Stanimir Genov, Sofia; Ivaylo Hristov, Sofia; Nikola Mihov, Sofia; Bora Petkova, Sofia; Jelko Terziev, Sofia; Deyan Yanev, Sofia.

Category Advanced Artists: Mariela Gemisheva, Sofia; David Heywood, Plovdiv; Ivan Kostolov, Plovdiv; Natasha Kupova, Plovdiv; Ilian Lalev, Sofia; Todor Lambov, Sofia; Theodor Liho, Sofia; Adelina Popnedeleva, Sofia; Peter Tzanev, Sofia.

Their works are presented in a catalogue and in an exhibition SHORTLIST 2008 at the Sofia Art Gallery opening on 9 October.

Winners:
Category Young Artists: Bora Petkova
Category Advanced Artists: Adelina Popnedeleva