"Strokes of Hope" – an exhibition in Prague tells the story of human will after a stroke
Prague, October 2025 – The Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Prague opened an exciting exhibition entitled "Strokes of Hope," featuring works by Donka Dimitrova, a Bulgarian woman who survived a stroke and rediscovered herself through art.
After a severe stroke, Donka lost the ability to speak and understand language(aphasia), but found a new way to communicate with the world – through painting. With her left hand, as part of art therapy, she began to create paintings that today inspire dozens of people.
Her canvases are saturated with color, emotion, and deeply personal messages—a unique language of the soul that transcends words.
The exhibition is organized on the occasion of World Stroke Day - 29th October 2025, in partnership with the Bulgarian Association for Stroke and Aphasia. The aim is not only to present Donka's art, but also to raise public awareness about life after stroke – a life that can be fulfilling, beautiful and inspiring.
Visitors in Prague welcomed the exhibition with warmth and admiration. Many shared that they were deeply moved by Donka's story and the way she turned pain into creativity. Her journey is reminiscent of that of Zlatyu Boyadjiev, another great Bulgarian artist who began creating with his left hand after suffering a stroke.
Sme of the visitors even left inspiring feedback and warm words in a special book for the exhibiotn but they were provoked by Dorina Dobreva, the President of the Association for Stroke and Aphasia, to use their non-dominant hand, thus expressing empathy with Donka.
"Strokes of Hope" can be viewed until October 31, 2025, at Galerie BKI-Praha, Klimentská 6, Prague 1.