site.btaInterdepartmental Task Force Holds First Meeting on Preserving Kabiuk's Cultural Heritage

The newly formed Interdepartmental Task Force for the conservation and sustainable development of cultural heritage at the Kabiuk Stud Farm held its first meeting on Friday, the Agriculture and Food Ministry said. The group was created by order of Minister Georgi Tahov.

The aim is to enhance protection of Kabiuk, the Early Medieval settlement, as an archaeological reserve of national significance and to restore key historical sites from the early years of the Third Bulgarian State (1878-1946), including Prince Alexander of Battenberg's summer residence, a chapel and landscaped grounds.

Participants discussed drafting an action plan for restoration work. The hybrid-format meeting included Deputy Agriculture Minister Yanislav Yanchev, experts from the ministries of agriculture and culture, and representatives of the Kabiuk Stud Farm.

Kabiuk is the oldest stud farm in Bulgaria, established in 1864. Late in 2024, Executive Director Martin Marinov told BTA that 107 people work at the farm. Of the seven horse breeds raised, three are indigenous: East Bulgarian, Pleven, and Shagya Arabian. There are also Purebred Arabian, English Thoroughbred, Haflinger, and Shetland pony horses.