The Professional High School of Stonemasonry in Kunino is a unique school, the only one of its kind in the Balkans, with over 100 years of history and great professional traditions in education, offering a profession as eternal as stone, always relevant and valuable.
history
Today's Professional High School of Stonemasonry – Kunino, was established as a school by state decree in 1920 with the idea of "modernizing stonemasonry," according to the need for highly qualified specialists in this field in the rapidly developing and economically flourishing new Bulgaria of that time. Due to the presence of excellent raw material – limestone, a developed stonemasonry livelihood among the local population, and a strategic railway artery, the village of Kunino was chosen as the location – situated amidst beautiful nature, with a rare combination of rocky massifs, canyons, plateaus, forests, a river, and a fertile plain; a settlement with ancient history, culture, and progressive people. The inspirer and creator of the school is the great Bulgarian and builder of our modern state, Konstantin Tomov, who was born in Kunino. The school was also established with the significant assistance of the Czech stonemasonry school in Hořice, from where the specialist teacher and first director, Rudolf Braun, came to Kunino.
The first classes at the State Stonemasonry School began in 1921 with ten students while the new building was being constructed. During the period 1921–1923, specialist teachers Stanislav Kuhn, Josef Škvára, and Josef Kraus arrived from Czechia, establishing the foundation of the school of stonemasonry and sculpture in Kunino. After 1926, highly qualified Bulgarians – teachers from all over the country – began their activities. Over the years, the school's directors have been famous sculptors such as Dimitar Gadzhalov, Boris Kadiyski, Krum Aleksiev, Mityo Solakov, Iliya Beshirov, the specialist teacher Petar Tonovski, and others. From the school's founding to the present day, almost all professionals in stone processing in Bulgaria have received their education in Kunino. Most of them are sculptors, architects, builders, stonemasons, and other specialists in the industry who have become famous for their profession in Bulgaria and throughout the world.
In the stonemasonry school, the number of students reached up to five hundred from all over the country. Until 2007, the Professional High School of Stonemasonry trained students from grades 9 to 13, who received an education in the profession of stonemason. Since 2007, admissions have been conducted after the completion of the 7th grade for the profession of "Artist," specializing in "Sculpture," and after the 8th grade for the profession of "Stonemason," specializing in "Stonemasonry."
100 Years Professional High School of Stonemasonry
The Professional High School of Stonemasonry in Kunino in 2020 marked its 100th anniversary, continuing to offer high-quality education in the field of stonemasonry. Students graduate with a secondary education diploma and a second-degree professional qualification, while also being guaranteed a job placement after graduation.
Some of the First Teachers
The stonemasonry school in Kunino was established and consolidated through the names and work of specialist teachers: Gurko Yosifov, Iliya Tsekov, Velichko Markov, Tsvetan Petrov, Tsvetan Gradzhorski, Lalo Iliev, Boris Tomov, and others who worked with dignity and dedication for the school's prosperity.
Over the years, prominent Bulgarian sculptors have been teachers at the school: Dimitar Gadzhalov, Krum Aleksiev, Mityo Solakov, Iliya Beshirov, the specialist teacher Petar Tonovski, Nikola Korchev, and others.
Works that Captured Time
Many of the graduates continue their education at the National Academy of Arts and subsequently find an established place in Bulgarian fine arts. Among them are: Nedko Krastev, Tsvyatko Siromashki, Danko Bayramov, Manyo Slavov, Yanaki Kavrakov, Assoc. Prof. Stefan Yanakiev, Prof. Dimitar Sotirov, Lyuben Cherkezov, Ivan Dimchev.
The work of the school's alumni includes: the monumental-sculptural sites in Shumen, Panagyurishte, Stara Zagora, Shipka, Cherven Bryag; the artistic and architectural decoration of Sofia – TZUM, the Presidency, the Council of Ministers, Sheraton; the cathedrals, monuments, and stone park decorations in Bulgaria and in various countries abroad represent part of the school's glorious history.
