A story on two wheels: Visionary’s new mural on Slavyanska Street

Photos: © Visionary/Ivan Shishiev (Etiudite na Sofia)

Last year, the Visionary Foundation told the story of Sofia’s mountaineers through its mural “Upovanie”, or “Hope”,

and celebrated learning with “The Cycle of Knowledge”. This year it adds another story to Sofia’s map, centred on movement, shared moments and the freedom of leaving your usual route. On Slavyanska Street, “Friendship on Wheels”, a large mural by Bulgarian artist Yoan Tsenkov, known as JahOne, turns a façade into an invitation to slow down and notice where you are. Fifteen metres high and covering 90 square metres, it extends towards the ground floor, revealing its story as you enter from Vasil Levski Boulevard. It also gives new life to a wall that had accumulated years of scribbles.

Photo: © Visionary/Ivan Shishiev (Etiudite na Sofia)

“Friendship on Wheels” looks at a bicycle as a way to connect with the city and other people, as well as transport. The project is a Visionary Foundation initiative in partnership with the Sofia European Capital of Sport Foundation,

inspired by the excitement surrounding the Giro d’Italia’s first Bulgarian start.

The mural was unveiled on the evening of 30 June, with JahOne, the Visionary team, representatives of Sofia European Capital of Sport and neighbours among the first to see the completed work.

Photos: © Visionary/Ivan Shishiev (Etiudite na Sofia) and Eliot Etienne

“We’ve always wanted public art to speak about what connects us: health, culture, knowledge and our relationship with the world around us. With this mural (in Bulgarian), we want to remind people that a bicycle can be much more than transport. It’s a way to experience the city more actively, notice details and spend more time outside,” says Visionary co-founder Delyana Angelova.

JahOne knows that feeling well:

he often cycles around Sofia himself. That experience informs the work. Bright colours and a large central figure convey the lightness and freedom of engaging with a city rather than simply passing through it.

Photo: © Visionary/Ivan Shishiev (Etiudite na Sofia)

A graduate in Graphic Design and Advertising from the National Academy of Art, JahOne has long pursued large-scale work and urban art. His pieces can be seen in Bulgaria and abroad, with bold colour combinations and abstract scenes defining his style.

The story is set to continue beyond the wall.

The project team was also preparing a film about the relationship between people, bicycles and the city. Meanwhile, next time you’re on Slavyanska Street, slow down and look at Sofia from a different seat.

A new Sofia mural tells the story of mountaineering (in Bulgarian)

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