site.btaNDK Has Become a Space Where "Culture is Alive and Enjoyable"

The National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Sofia represents a unique "event-space" that embodies the characteristics of contemporary Bulgarian culture, said Assoc. Prof. Georgi Lozanov, Editor-in-Chief of BTA's LIK magazine, at Monday's presentation of the March issue marking NDK's 45th anniversary.

Lozanov, who personally knew the NDK's chief architect Alexander Barov, commented: "Barov took a serious risk in designing something whose purpose was not entirely clear, and we took a similar risk with this issue of LIK." He highlighted the role of the NDK in preserving Bulgarian national history and culture, particularly during the period inspired by communist leader Todor Zhivkov's daughter Lyudmila Zhivkova, when cultural projects were intended as a subtle alternative to Sovietization.

According to Lozanov, the NDK has become an open, contemporary space that combines freedom, joy, and the interplay of culture and entertainment. He stressed that the NDK allows visitors to experience modern Bulgarian culture in its many forms, from the arts to conferences and scientific events, shaping a broader understanding of national culture.

Lozanov criticized overly paternalistic notions of culture, arguing that it should enrich daily life and bring pleasure rather than merely remain a spiritual exercise. "The NDK has succeeded in becoming a space where contemporary culture is alive, accessible, and enjoyable," he said. The LIK magazine issue reflects this, celebrating the NDK's complex role in Bulgaria's cultural life over 45 years, he added.