28 April 2009 | Bozhidar Dimitrov, the director of Bulgaria’s National History Museum, officially sent to many national media on Monday a curious and perplexing press release.

Its text, signed by Dimitrov, read:

“In relation to the more and more frequent participation of Bulgarian politicians in forestation activities, the National History Museum announces that in the park around the museum, there are many free terrains, on which saplings [young trees] could be planted. Interested politicians could call telephone number [++3592] 955 4290.
In relation to the establishment of the Order of the Bagaturs, the Director of the National History Museum announces that as bagaturs will also be accepted businessmen and politicians, who have shown financial support for the research, protection and restoration of cultural-historical monuments. Women will also be announced as bagaturs, since in the Middle Ages they also took part in battles. Because of their merit until now, it will be suggested that [the following] be announced as bagaturs – [Sofia’s macho mayor and likely next Prime Minister] Boyko Borisov (merit for the restoration of the Boyana Church), [Bulgaria’s Minister of Culture who, as an actor, was one of the biggest heartthrobs of the country during communist times] Stefan Danailov (Pliska, Preslav, Madara and Trapezitsa), Stefan Sharlopov and Milen Vrabevski (military monuments), Veneta Krasteva, Boryana Radeva, Valery Simeonov, [vice-president of the Bulgarian Federation for Olympic Taekwondo and current member of the European Parliement, as a representative of the far-right, nationalistic party Ataka] Slavi Binev and many others.”

This is not the first time Bozhidar Dimitrov stuns national media and the public. He is often accused by the press for maintaining close relations with a number of shady businessmen, who use Bulgaria’s foggy regulations to build large private collections of antiquities, acquired in dubious ways.

In response, Dimitrov has repeatedly dismissed such accusations, claiming that such cooperation is based on the public interest. Not long ago, the National History Museum exhibited the private collection of businessmam Vasil Bozhkov, popularly referred to as Cherepa, meaning ‘the Skul’.

Bozhkov’s collection along with that of former wrestler Boyan Radev are the most controversial and also largest private collections of national historical heritage in Bulgaria, which is extremely rich in antique findings.

Read more about the medieval Bulgarian horsemen warriors and Dimitrov’s initiative to establish the order on BalkanTravellers.com.