English 
Slovenščina 
The conclusion of the 58th International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje took place on Saturday, 14 June, from 19:00 to 20:00, as part of the event Iz trebanjskega koša. This marked the end of a gathering of ten artists from eight countries around the world in one of Slovenia’s youngest towns. The recipients of awards and the grand prize were announced, bringing to a close five days of artistic exchange, discovery, and connection.
The Grand Prize was awarded to Zoran Anđelković for the work “Sacred Tree”.
Recipients of awards for their artworks were:
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Hussein Mariam for “Slovenian Breakfast on a Syrian Table”
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Tan Ia for “Old Tbilisi”
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Zarras Nikolaos for “City of Dreams”
Photo: Klemen Ceglar
After the awards ceremony, visitors were able to view the newly created artworks in the gallery until 21:00. The exhibition of works produced during the 58th Camp will remain on view at the gallery until the end of September 2025. The gallery has acquired 20 new pieces.
The winner, Zoran Anđelković, has been creating art for over 35 years—art that is steeped in history, mythology, and national heroes. He discovered his love for painting in childhood, listening to elders tell stories of wars, bravery, and folk legends. His art goes beyond traditional themes, blending naïve painting with elements of surrealism and fantasy. He has exhibited in France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Russia, and—expectedly in 2027—in Trebnje.
His piece “Sacred Tree” captivates the viewer with its primal energy and rich symbolism: a masterfully depicted mighty oak, with deeply rooted trunk and a lush crown that rises toward the sky, to the stars and beyond—to the realm of dreams.
“I was really surprised. I didn’t even think I’d win an award. I’m happy I’ll have an exhibition here. We came from all over—from Spain, Serbia, Greece, Ukraine. We artists are like children—children at heart, though adults in life. These gatherings are also about getting to know each other’s way of life and seeing how our souls remain in our works,” shared the artist after the camp—an artist who remains devoted to his village, honors the past and art, and finds joy in telling the stories of the Serbian people through painting.
