Symeon Volchkov
1919 - 2019
100 Years Anniversary
EDITIONS & PUBLICATIONS
* Symeon Volchkov “ Cry of the soul” («Крик души») , poems in Russian / Nicosia / 1993
* Symeon Volchkov “ Oh, my brown eyed sunshine!” («Кареокое счастье моё»), poems in Russian /Nicosia /1999
* Symeon Volchkov “Albatross” («Альбатрос») – Bilingual anthology of poems with a preface by Chrysothemis Hadjipanayi, poet and literary critic in Cyprus, and an epilogue by Euphemios Bernstein, Russian poet and professor at the University of Tver in Russia. Both review articles provide thorough analysis of the Symeon Volchkov’s work as a painter and poet.
Translation in Greek – Lara Bargilly
*The Collectible Anniversary Calendar, dedicated to the 200 years since the arrival of Ioannis Kapodistrias in Russia, is embellished with 24 reproductions from the painting work of Symeon Volchkov and includes a tribute to the memory of the artist on the occasion of his 90-year anniversary.
*Magazine "Review" No. 7, 2009, (Kykkos Monastery’s edition). Richly illustrated, this tribute to the 90 years of Symeon Volchkov’s creative work is accompanied by an article of the established poet, researcher, philosopher and scholar Dr. Klitos Ioannides, commending the artist’s work.
*Review articles, published in the painter’s exhibition catalogues and in the Cypriot press (newspapers and magazines), in Greek and in Russian language.
Symeon Volchkov-Painter and Poet
by Dr. Klitos Ioannides
“…What distinguishes the artist as a portrait painter is the perfect psychological reflection and the realistic expression in his portraits; the effort to attribute the essence of a character rather than a random expression. Seeing something unique in each one, he achieves full resemblance to the model ... something more even, which allows him to give the portrait an artistic form.”
Nikita Vasilyev, art critic, officer of the Russian Ministry of Culture,
Director of the Benua Art Museum, St Petersburg
(from the catalogue of S.Volchkov's exhibition in Cyprus, 1990)
“…Many Russian poets knew how to paint. Among them are Pushkin and Lermontov. Many painters also wrote poems, like Chagall, Kandinsky and wonderful Maximilian Voloshin… Such a one was Symeon Volchkov – master of painting and master of the word; the art critics are right about that.”
Euphemios Bernstein, poet, theater and literary critic,
Professor at the University of Tver in Russia (from his epilogue in “Albatros”, the bilingual collection of poems by S. Volchkov, 2001)
PRAISE FOR SYMEON VOLCHKOV'S WORK
“Symeon Volchkov is a distinguished artist. His paintings are full of light - there is an abundance of light in his work in general. He worshipped nature, which is why nature shines through his work in such brilliant colours, evidence that he was a man with a vision. His work constitutes a legacy for Cyprus, a fact which, I must say, has not yet been fully appreciated.”
Demetris Christofias, former President of Cyprus
(interview in the film about Symeon Volchkov's work, 2006)
Congratulations on the wonderful artistic presence. All the exhibited works testify to the artistic creation of a successful painter. We wish dear Mr. Symeon Volchkov to continue creating with success, and to give us the pleasure of enjoying more of his works.
H.B. Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos
(from the guestbook, January 12th 1990)
“Warmest congratulations on this excellent exhibition, which testifies to an outstanding talent, and much more – it also shows how a human being with a Russian soul is capable of capturing, by means of realistic art, the main characteristics of the nature and the people of a different country.”
Mr. Yuri Fokin,
Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Soviet Union to Cyprus
“As an artist, Symeon Volchkov was an acclaimed painter. Furthermore, I was impressed by the depth of his soul and the emotional world that characterized him. I was also impressed by the diligence and the love displayed in his work, as well as its accessibility, communicating directly to the world.
Symeon left his own testimonies of our place and time. As a member of EKATE (Cyprus Chamber of Fine Arts) for the past 30 years, he was working as a Cypriot artist. His contribution to enriching the arts in Cyprus is most significant.
Symeon was absolute. Aesthetics was a feature, skill too – he was a very skillful painter, extremely skillful; he knew his techniques very well and he looked for beauty.”
Christos Symeonides, sculpturer, former President of EKATE,
Supervisor of Art classes at Ministry of Education and Culture
(interview in the film about Symeon Volchkov's work, 2006)
“Reading his poems, I saw that he was a scholar who delved deep into classical Russian poetry, into romantic poetry. He loved Lermontov and Yessenin, Russian writers who matched his own temperament and psyche.
Symeon Volchkov was an exalted man with a multifaceted talent. It was impossible to distinguish the artist from the humanist, the world citizen, the poet, the painter, the patriot, the lover of the feminine and of nature, the human being.”
Chrysothemis Hadjipanayi,
poet, philologist, literary critic, Lyceum Director
(interview in the film about Symeon Volchkov's work, 2006)
“Pontus and the sea; the waves and the windswept, stormy beaches... that is what moves his romantic soul... Throughout his visits to the island we see him modestly striding the Cyprus lands, alert, fascinated; every now and then he makes a stop, charmed by the historical landscape, the character of the rocks, the stones, the sea. He dives deep into the mysteries of "Petra tou Romiou", gets to know "Bellapais", visits Kantara, Salamina. At the wild, dramatic caves of Ayia Napa he finds a match for his temperament, and reaches out in recognition.”
Telemachos Kanthos, famous Cypriot painter
(from the 1975 guestbook)
“I have just visited Symeon Volchkov's exhibition. His velvet tones provide such peace of mind... I recall blue shades and a dark, warm tone revealing the entrance to a sea cave, contrasting the airily light expression of the surroundings... I further recall elements of his seas, his skies; I recall the flowing motion of his waves …"
Solon Frangoulides, famous Cypriot painter
(from the 1975 guestbook)
“Much poetry and much love for Cyprus. A wonderful sensibility and an expressive artistic soul.”
Kostas Montis, renowned Cypriot poet
(from the guestbook, January 12th 1990)
“You are one of the most talented painters. Your paintings have such truth and such exuberant colours. Very rarely do we get to see such artwork in Cyprus. We thank you for your love for our country and congratulate you on your excellent work.”
Erato Markoulli, former Minister of Foreign Affairs
(from the guestbook, January 23rd 1990)
“Cyprus had the blessing, the joy and the honour to host the well-known Russian painter Symeon Volchkov. He lived and celebrated with the amazing colors of his exceptional palette not only the Cypriot landscape, but also the people of Cyprus, both in times of peace and during the bitter, tragic moments resulting from the Turkish invasion and occupation – moments that were imprinted with symbolism. He resided in Cyprus for the last 15 years of his life, and breathed his last breath on this island.
Symeon Volchkov holds a distinctive position among the Russian artists who have been associated with Cyprus. Firstly, of course, because in Cyprus he was able to "settle down" for a large part of his life, but also because with his great talent and skill, his subtlety, kindness and dynamism, he captured on canvas the Cyprus issue in an entirely unique manner.
The painter Volchkov is a great conductor. His forms are strong, and he handles the rich palette of his colours with great skill and aesthetic sense, gifting us with harmonious combinations and a variety of shades. His artistic language is visual and realistic. In terms of form, I would say that Volchkov's realism is mostly inspired by an intense impressionistic mood. The freshness of the words, the light touch of the brush, the atmospheric colours and ambient mood shine through most of his work - the viewer instantly becomes part of the artist's fascination for his subject. In addition to his essential talent, Volchkov was also gifted by nature with the modesty and goodness that tends to accompany great personalities, those whose gentle humanity is reflected both in their work and in life.”
Andreas Charalambous, famous Cypriot painter
(Speech about Symeon Volchkov and his painting work at the Seminar «Bidirectional cultural relations between Russia and Cyprus from the Byzantine age till today»), 2013
“Symeon Volchkov was a man whom you could not forget once you had met him. He was an exalted human being, a philosopher, a man full of beauty and love. I think we cannot easily find this combination of painter and poet, with both vocations at equal level.
A stranger comes, and loves this island so much that he considers it his home, he loves and praises this place as if he were a Cypriot poet or painter – you couldn’t tell the difference, either in the way he writes or in his paintings. He has given Cyprus so much, and we owe him our gratitude.”
Klairi Angelidou, poet, philologist
Former Minister of Education and Culture
(interview in the film about Symeon Volchkov's work, 2006)
"...I knew, of course, that he was a great and skilled painter; but his verses, accompanied by the colors of his paintings, whether portraits or landscapes, revealed such identity that I truly witnessed a flawless continuity and oneness between these two forms of art – the visual art of painting and that art of logos, poetry in particular.
Reading his poems, I saw that he was a scholar who delved deep into the classical Russian poetry, into romantic poetry. He loved Lermontov and Yessenin, Russian writers matching his own temperament and psyche.
Symeon Volchkov was an exalted man with a multifaceted talent. In his features it was impossible to distinguish the artist from the humanist, the world citizen, the poet, the painter, the patriot, the lover of the feminine and of nature, the Human being...".
Chrysothemis Hadjipanayi,
poet, philologist, literary critic, Lyceum Director (from her interview in the film «Symeon Volchkov – Eternal Lover of Beauty», 2006)
Cyprus had the blessing, the joy and the honor to host the well-known Russian painter Symeon Volchkov. He lived and sang with the amazing colors of his exceptional palette the Cypriot landscape, but also the people of Cyprus, both in peace times and during the bitter, tragic moments resulting from the Turkish invasion and occupation – moments that were imprinted with symbolism. He resided in Cyprus the last 15 years of his life, and breathed his last breath on this island.
Symeon Volchkov holds a distinctive position among the Russian artists who have been associated with Cyprus. Firstly, of course, because in Cyprus he was able to "settle home" for a big part of his life, but also because with his great talent and mastery, his subtlety, kindness and dynamism, he captured on canvas the Cyprus issue in an entirely unique manner.
The painter Volchkov is a great conductor. His forms are strong, and he handles the rich palette of his colors with great skill and aesthetic, gifting us with harmonious combinations and a variety of shades. His artistic language is visual and realistic.
Volchkov's themes follow two main axes, portrait and seascape, though we also find landscapes, as well as the combination of the two. Still life can also be added to his themes, albeit on a much smaller scale.
In terms of form, I would say that Volchkov's realism is mostly inspired by an intense impressionistic mood. The freshness of the words, the light paintbrush touch, the atmospheric colors and the ambient mood shine through most of his work - the viewer instantly becomes part of the artist's fascination for his subject. Next to his source talent, Volchkov was also gifted by nature with the modesty and goodness that tends to accompany great personalities, those whose gentle humanity is reflected both in work and in life.
Andreas Charalambous, famous Cypriot painter
(Speech about Symeon Volchkov and his painting work at the Seminar «Bidirectional cultural relations between Russia and Cyprus from the Byzantine age till today»), 2013