Култура

The outgoing 2001. was an anniversary for the Historical Museum in Velingrad, which rounded out half a century. There was no official and loud celebration of the anniversary despite the preliminary plans of the museum workers. The reason is that the vast majority of the funds for the museum were redirected to the major renovation of the building under the project "Beautiful Bulgaria III".

The renovation was completed a few days ago and in the mainly renovated building we talked with the director of the Historical Museum Mrs. Iliana Maslarova - about the renovation, about the anniversary, about the present and the future of this unique cultural institution in Velingrad. - Mrs. Maslarova, what turned out to be more useful and necessary for the museum in the jubilee year: the major renovation made or the failed solemn celebration of the 50th anniversary? - Both can be useful. Display is sometimes a double-edged sword, and we had to reckon with the realities. We presented a comprehensive program for the celebration, but we appreciate that the most important thing is to preserve the base that protects the treasures of the museum. That is why I express great gratitude to the project "Beautiful Bulgaria", to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and to the Municipality of Velingrad, without whose assistance this repair would not have been implemented. The front of the building was dilapidated and leaky. The roof is mainly repaired, the tiles are changed, patching, plastering and painting are done. During the renovation, we were also engaged, but we are very pleased with what we have done, because we are aware that in the coming years there would have been no other opportunity to do so much for the museum. - We know how pressed by everyday life the Bulgarian is now, do people have to go to a museum, how does the crisis affect them? - The entrance to us is symbolic, so it's not that, it's something else that's pressuring people. Someone may think that the museum is a last resort, but whoever entered has left very pleased. Tourists come from the big cities who are delighted: first, that it is preserved and second, that they see things that they could not see elsewhere. The attendance of the museum is now less, but we are not without people, as happens in other cities. - Velingraders or guests of the resort more often enter the museum? - Definitely the guests of the city, people who came here on vacation - come with pleasure and leave satisfied with what they saw. We are popular in Bulgaria. There are also many foreigners who are very impressed by the old wooden plumbing and the charms, for example. - Do you think the people of Velingrad know enough about the past of their homeland and about the individuals who have lived and worked here over the years? - In the museum come exactly those Velingradians who know the most about the creation and the past of our region. This is a small number of people, generally Veligradians do not know much about the history of the city. A lot of cowherds come in, fill in gaps, compare and the facts are there - quite a number of books have come out. In addition, the museum has become a consultant to many students and students who enjoy our very rich with valuable literature library (although since 1990. very difficult to buy books). Many of the developments we do together with students and students. - Originally it was a house-museum "Vela Peeva", then it became Historical Museum - Velingrad. What's changed? - Initially there was only a small exhibition hall in Vela Peeva's house. Then the exposition expanded with ethnography. The materials, which are collected in the former house-museum "Vela Peeva", speak about the common history, about the economic and political development of the Chepin region. Many materials have been collected that go beyond a house-museum. There was a stock that made it possible to extend the functions of the museum so that the form corresponded to the content: materials from prehistory, from the Renaissance, old printed books, valuable documents about the border lines, etc. Gradually it was seen that the materials were enough (in 1952. they are 1000, and now they are about 17,000) and therefore the Ministry of Culture approved the proposal for the establishment of Historical Museum - Velingrad. - What is the most valuable exhibit in the museum? - It is difficult to say because each document, photo or item carries its unique information about a time, event or activity. Yet those from more distant ages are particularly curious: old-printed books such as "Large Numeral, Cream," ed. 1859. by H.R.G. Danov, "Letostrui or Home Calendar" from 1869, "Book for the People - Land and Sky" 1872. The oldest book in the museum is from 1803. - prayer book written in Kiev and donated by Kirill Dossev from the village. Chepino. - What are the motives of the people who become donors to the museum? - I am pleased that this year the museum's funds have been enriched. The citizens responded to our address for donation and received several dozen materials related to the history of the Chepis region, donated by individuals, companies and organizations. There are people who part with their family relics and bring them to us - interesting and valuable are the photos, belongings and documents donated by Dimitar Kadiiski, Manol Cholev, Zahari Zahov, Angelina Veselinova. This suggests that there is an understanding of where these relics should be kept. Unfortunately, there is no money in the announced bank account. The museum does not have funds even for elementary needs: for example, for a videotape on which to record the unique film about the Queen of Ludzhenski Beach in 1940 levs was helped by Mr. Vasil Kotsev, manager of hotel Zdravets. This film is part of the history of our city, it's one of those things that should tell us where to go. The museum has many videotapes of old people's stories, records of customs and traditions. We also have a movie theater, and a movie machine, and a video. But we don't have a TV, which makes using the movie theater impossible. And we can show such valuable things - alone or in parallel with an appropriate exhibition. We also thank the manager of Kamena BLC Georgi Mihaylov for his willingness to finance our performances. - In recent years, the Velingrad Museum has become famous around the country with the demonstrations of typical for the region written Easter eggs. How was this idea born? The idea was born out of the interest of the people. What we show is something unique, people want to be told and shown in great detail. We started with students, among them there are already real masters. We were invited to many cities and museums, we "exhibited" the local tradition in Tarnovo, Pernik, Haskovo, Pazardzhik, Kyustendil, in the Ethnographic Museum in Sofia, we had a wonderful exhibition and demonstration in Plovdiv. Now we have new invitations and we are glad because with every presentation new people come, there is a lot of interest. Exhibition exchange is one way to see things we don't have. Now we have an offer from the museum in Plovdiv to show in Velingrad an exhibition of underwear over the centuries. - How will the museum develop in the future? - The Historical Museum now has 2 expositions, and the entire history of our end in all eras and spheres of activity must be traced. We have a concept of creating a common historical museum - for now only a book, but in the coming years it should be realized. I'd be very happy if I could make that happen while I'm working here. It takes a lot of money to present archaeology, we know that everything will happen gradually. The museum should one day have the face of a general history museum. - Will there be a day in the Velingrad museum of a person like Nikolay Ghiaurov - the Velingrad man whose name they know in Europe and the world and who can be a huge advertisement for the resort? - There's just got to be something like that in Velingrad. We should be proud of such individuals. There are foreigners asking, and we have nothing to show. Generations change, we are indebted to Nikolai Gyaurov as well, and to other worthy personalities of the Chepinska trough, whose work should not be forgotten. Elena Baeva