Български
EnglishIn this interview from April 5, 2021, for the "Roots and Wings" column of the Rodina Sydney association, the creator of "Historical Park," Ivelin Mihaylov, reveals his strategy for restoring national self-esteem and building a world-class cultural complex through the united efforts of ordinary Bulgarians.
The Power of History and Overcoming Crises
Knowing one's own past gives people a clear direction and builds their self-respect, protecting them from the damaging feeling of inferiority abroad. Mihaylov points to the iconic Sydney Opera House as an example, which initially started as a completely failed project that exceeded its budget tenfold, but subsequently became a global symbol and a source of pride for all Australians. In the same way, the greatness of Bulgarian ancestors should serve as motivation for modern Bulgarians to be active creators who worthily contribute to the building of any society, rather than voluntarily accepting a subordinate role.
As indisputable proof of the power of constant creation, "Historical Park" remained the only tourist site in Bulgaria that did not stop working for a single day during the total lockdown in March 2020. This extraordinary dedication and continuous construction process turned the complex into a bright ray of hope for people, proving that life goes on despite the global pandemic. These immense efforts brought the site first place finishes in the "Innovation" and "The Choice of Bulgarians" categories at the Annual Tourism Awards.
Scale, Architecture, and Revival of Traditions
The complex spans an area of 13.6 hectares in the village of Neofit Rilski, strategically located next to the Hemus highway and Varna Airport to ensure easy international access. The site offers a real journey through time, tracing the development of civilization in our lands from as early as 10,000 BC.
The main attractions and innovative features of the park include:
- Thracian Heritage: The world's only reconstructed ancient Thracian palace and 3 fully completed tombs have been built, strictly following ancient construction technologies and rituals.
- Ecological Compatibility: The infrastructure is created with 100% recyclable materials that decompose completely naturally in nature within 1 year after disposal.
- Long-term Construction: The houses in the adjacent village are built of solid stone with a perspective of 2000 years of lifespan with proper maintenance, effectively eliminating the generation of future construction waste.
- Authentic Food and Agriculture: Soils are restored without pesticides, and food is prepared entirely from organic vegetables and free-range animals.
With the help of university professors and scientific research, authentic recipes from 2000 years ago have been restored, including a healing bread with 19 herbs consumed by Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus. To popularize this culture, 8 specialized festivals are organized annually.
Independence from Oligarchic and Foreign Investments
The main goal of the initiative is to prove in practice that Bulgarians can create global economic generators on their own, without relying on harmful foreign industries that permanently pollute nature. To achieve this large-scale goal, the entrepreneur went through serious disappointments in his attempts to secure external funding.
| Potential Investors | Reasons for Categorical Refusal of Cooperation |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian Oligarchs | They are interested solely in quick profits through public procurement and EU funds. They lack a long-term vision for the country and require total humiliation from their partners. |
| Chinese Companies | They issue an ultimatum to use entirely Chinese resources, builders, and materials. They come not as equal partners, but as masters aiming to export all profits back to their country. |
After these unsuccessful negotiations, the project continued as 100% national and independent, with each subsequent financial step being planned extremely carefully month by month.
The Role of the Ordinary Person and Dealing with Media Attacks
Ivelin Mihaylov shares his deep conviction that true strength and solidarity are found among ordinary people. He recalls the extremely poor years with his grandparents, when they survived on barely 90 BGN a month, but despite the hardships, they always helped their neighbors. This basic human empathy is completely missing among the wealthiest strata of society.
Just before the official opening of the historical complex, the project was subjected to a coordinated attack by 69 media outlets associated with the "Capital" circle, which attempted to completely discredit and destroy it. At this critical psychological moment, his friends from ordinary backgrounds provided about 2 million BGN of personal funds free of charge, saving the existence of the venture. The entrepreneur emphasizes that Bulgarians must stop accepting the convenient role of victims and finally realize their immense power as independent creators.
Personal Life Mission and Rejection of Politics
Despite numerous calls to join the state governance (note: the interview is from 2021), Mihaylov categorically refuses to enter professional politics. He is firmly convinced that politicians will never save the people and that true change happens daily on the "battlefield" through real work. Instead of a party career, he prefers to work directly with local authorities, already receiving strong cooperation from the municipalities of Vetrino and Devnya to implement his regional initiatives.
His most important life goal is to raise his children with an unreserved love for their homeland and to teach them to value food and goods earned through honest labor. Inspired by historical figures like Spartacus and the peasant king Ivaylo, who bravely led the common people and sacrificed themselves in the name of the common good, he strives to leave a working example behind. The entrepreneur compares the right path in life to a run in which the weight of responsibilities decreases with every step taken. Referring to Eastern philosophy, he concludes that a true warrior must live mindfully and fulfill his mission so that his deeds continue to benefit society long after his death. Alongside this, he calls on Bulgarians abroad to zealously guard their roots, language, and self-awareness, uniting following the example of other successful nations.
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