site.btaMuseum of the Eastern Mediterranean - Key to Transforming Landmark Building in Sofia into Vibrant Space

The transformation of Sofia's landmark TZUM building continues under Antika World, aiming to serve as "a bridge for cooperation not only between Bulgaria and Egypt, but also between the EU and Arab countries", the company told BTA. The Central Department Store (TZUM) opened in 1957. The building adjoins the Council of Ministers in the heart of the capital.

A key part of the project is the Eastern Mediterranean Museum, scheduled to open in the first half of 2026, marking 100 years of Bulgarian-Egyptian diplomatic relations.

Vessela Atanassova, an expert working on the museum's concept and creation, said work is underway with architects and the construction team to ensure the planned opening.

Revenue is expected to come from multiple sources, including the museum exhibition, craft workshops, a children's area, an event hall with a souvenir shop, and leased retail and office space. Some spaces are already under long-term lease, and others are being negotiated.

The museum, a comparative art-history institution, will focus on Ancient Egypt and Ancient Thrace, exploring both shared elements and differences in daily life, religion, art and technology. Exhibits will be organized thematically rather than chronologically, using innovative technologies to engage a wide audience and showcase the cultural heritage of both regions.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: What progress has been made on the exhibition halls and museum at TZUM?

A: We are working closely with architects and the construction team to ensure the museum opens on schedule. Exhibit preparation, informational panels and the website are also in development. Precise coordination between teams is essential to ensure both high visual quality and scientific accuracy.

We are planning to officially open the museum in the first half of 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of Bulgarian-Egyptian diplomatic relations. This year will feature joint initiatives and events in Bulgaria and Egypt. We are coordinating with the Egyptian Embassy in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Embassy in Cairo, including an invitation to Egypt's archaeologist Khaled El-Enany, the newly elected UNESCO Director-General.

Q: What exhibits will be featured?

A: The exhibition will be structured around two thematic areas: Gods and Kings and People and Technology. The first explores divinity, immortality and royal authority; the second presents human achievements, knowledge and skills, offering visitors insight into power, innovation and the universal search for meaning in Antiquity.

Q: What are the main challenges in organizing the museum?

A: There are numerous challenges, but we have a sizeable team of top specialists in each area. Unlike traditional museums, MЕM is thematic rather than chronological, requiring careful selection of artefacts and interpretive material from both cultures.

Although it presents ancient monuments, the museum is very modern, incorporating 3D screens, VR headsets, multisensory installations and interactive projections to engage a wide audience. It also has a strong educational focus, attracting children and students through collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

The museum will feature workshops for children and adults on the history and technologies of both cultures: Ancient Egyptian mummification techniques and Bulgarian traditions such as rose-oil production and weaving. We are partnering with Rosa Damascena [company] and with Jaap van Beelen, a Dutch collector of Bulgarian carpets.

Q: What is the significance of having exhibition halls and a museum in TZUM?

A: TZUM stands in the heart of ancient Serdica, founded by the Thracian tribe of the Serdi, historically a crossroads between East and West. For centuries it has hosted people of many ethnicities and faiths. Today, Christians, Muslims, Jews and others coexist in the surrounding area, making TZUM a symbol of tolerance and cultural dialogue. MЕM will be the "exotic lady of Sofia", elegantly showcasing the treasures of cultural diversity from antiquity to the present.

The restoration and transformation of the building into a cultural institution will return its welcoming, nostalgic character for locals, while allowing visitors to experience the richness of Bulgarian culture and history in a modern setting.

Vessela Atanassova studied Archaeology and Art History at the Sorbonne, and holds a dual PhD in Egyptology from the Sorbonne and New Bulgarian University. She has worked in museums and international research labs, earning awards for Best Francophone Dissertation from the University Agency for Francophonie and the French Institute in Bulgaria.

Since 2017, she has been Assistant Professor at the Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre of Thracology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, leading the project Thrace and Egypt in the Greco-Roman Period. She teaches Ancient Egyptian Art and Culture at New Bulgarian University and Ancient History at the St Kliment Ohridski Sofia University. Between 2023-2025, she was a visiting scholar at the French School in Athens under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie programme. She now serves as expert on the conceptual and physical creation of the Eastern Mediterranean Museum at TZUM for Antika World.