Bulgarian village decorated with eye-catching murals attracts visitors

STARO JELEZARE, BULGARIA - AUGUST 18: The village of Staro Jelezare, in the southern reaches of Bulgaria, has undergone a remarkable evolution as its houses have become canvases for artists to convey topical subjects through their paintings. Each year, artists gather to paint a diverse array of subjects on the walls of village houses, ranging from political figures to beloved movie stars and even iconic cartoon characters. The project, with approval of villagers, has turned Staro Jelezare into an open-air gallery that captivates the imaginations of both locals and visitors. From historic leaders like Fidel Castro and Winston Churchill to modern figures like Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the walls of Staro Jelezare stand adorned with faces that have shaped global history. There are also iconic characters painted on walls of village like Karl Marx, Freddie Mercury, and Alfred Hitchcock along with cartoon figures such as Kung Fu Panda, Fred Flintstone and “Belle” from “Beaty and The Beast”. (Footage by Ihvan Radoykov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)