On September 20, 2026, the closing event of the Plovdiv Biennale of Contemporary Art was held, during which the nominated and awarded artists were announced.

The jury, composed of Vesko Velev, Maria Argirova, Asya Bachova, and Paolina Radeva, announced the following results:

NOMINATED ARTISTS:

1. Natalie Nikolova – Bulgaria – “Gelatinous Memories”
2. Massimo Tiberio – Italy – “Men Don’t Cry”
3. Nikola-Anri – Bulgaria – “Spectral Spirits”
4. Ivaylo Stoyanov – Bulgaria – “The Queen of Light”
5. Valentin Vaklinov – Bulgaria – “Post-Collectivist Collective Irresponsibility”
6. Katharina Bach – Germany – “Traces in the Terrain”
7. Emilia Milcheva – Bulgaria – “Courage Is a Choice”
8. Vladimir Spasov – Bulgaria
9. Pavel Sinev – Bulgaria – “Memory Killer”
10. Deyan Valkov – Bulgaria – “Angel”

BIENNALE 2026 AWARDS:

1ST PRIZE – EUR 500 – NIKOLA-HENRI – BULGARIA

2ND PRIZE – FREE PARTICIPATION IN THE 2028 BIENNALE – NATALIE NIKOLOVA – BULGARIA

3RD PRIZE – YOUNG ARTIST AWARD – PAVEL SINEV – BULGARIA