Български
EnglishSofia Municipality has definitively rejected the possibility of changing the status of the Vasil Levski house-museum from public to private municipal property following active civil intervention.
Halting the Privatization of the Historical Site
Civil activism and thousands of collected signatures have prevented the status change of the over 200-year-old building in the capital's "Benkovski" neighborhood. Sofia Municipality has overturned the decision of the Sofia Municipal Council, thereby preserving the property's public character and avoiding the risk of a future sale. Activists believe that this decision blocks the transfer of the site's management to Ivaylo Shopski's non-governmental organization.
Demands for Professional Management
Despite the municipality's decision, citizens emphasize that the issue regarding the overall management of the museum remains unresolved. Ivaylo Shopski continues to informally hold the keys to the site and control access to it according to his personal preferences. The organizers of the initiative put forward the following specific demands to normalize the museum's activities:
- Transferring the management to the Regional History Museum or another appropriate state structure.
- Appointing a professional curator who will adequately care for the cultural and historical value.
- Ensuring working hours of at least 5 days a week for free access to all visitors.
Institutional Responsibility and Absorption of Funds
Activists raise serious questions about the ability of local administrations to manage historical monuments. These sites were transferred to municipalities years ago with the primary goal of absorbing European funds for restoration, but practice shows a frequent lack of effective management. Attempts to involve selected non-governmental organizations create loopholes and schemes for siphoning financial resources through various projects. Citizens insist that if Sofia Municipality cannot manage the property, it should be returned to the balance sheet of the Ministry of Culture.
Repression Against Initiators and Criminal Dependencies
The organizers of the petition share that they have been subjected to targeted attacks, insults, and groundless audits by institutions such as GDBOP (General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime) and the Economic Police. These thorough checks established absolutely no violations and proved the lack of criminal intent on the part of the citizens.
| Party to the conflict | Characteristics and status |
|---|---|
| Civil activists | Stand by their names, endure insults and audits by GDBOP with no violations found. |
| Ivaylo Shopski | Holds informal control over the museum, has a conviction for bribery and covering up corporate interests. |
The initiators draw special attention to the criminal past of the individual showing an appetite for the house-museum. They recall that the person in question was convicted of accepting a bribe with marked money in order to cover up unregulated activities of companies associated with Hristo Kovachki. Activists call on society for constant vigilance, as inaction and a lack of reaction only encourage the growth of such flawed management models.
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