site.btaArchives State Agency Marks 75th Anniversary
The Archives State Agency marked its 75th anniversary with an official celebration here on Monday. The event included a presentation of the commemorative publication "Bulgarian Archives. Documents and People” and the exhibition “Finds of Memory: Unexpected Archival Discoveries” at the Agency's Exhibition Hall. A special postage stamp was also validated.
President Iliana Iotova was among the guests of the event. In her address, the head of State said that the Archives State Agency is the citadel of Bulgarian memory and plays a key role in preserving historical facts and passing them on to future generations. “You are the people we rely on most to ensure that Bulgarian memory is not rewritten, that history is not rewritten, and that the facts are not rewritten,” Iotova noted.
In her words, the work of archivists is particularly important in today’s world of advanced technology and dynamic change, because they build bridges between generations and enable future generations to expand their knowledge of Bulgarian history.
The President congratulated the Agency’s staff on the exhibition “Finds of Memory: Unexpected Archival Discoveries,” which, in her words, showcases not only intriguing and previously unknown documents but also the personal touch of the people who work with the archives.
Iotova noted that archival documents reveal history not only through official records but also through personal letters in which people share their joys and sorrows, acknowledge their mistakes, argue among themselves and make decisions that have left a mark in society. "This is archives' living history," the President added.
As an example of the significance of archival discoveries, the head of State recounted the discovery of a letter by Bulgarian revolutionary and poet Hristo Botev, which had been considered irretrievably lost. According to her, such documents help complete the understanding of the national liberation movement and the Bulgarian National Revival.
Archives State Agency head Mihail Gruev said that the Agency is marking its 75th anniversary with a sense of satisfaction at what has been achieved in recent years and decades. He emphasized that Bulgaria’s archival system is a source of pride and expressed hope that future generations will continue to preserve and develop it.
Gruev presented the anniversary publication "Bulgarian Archives. Documents and People," which features the country’s 29 archives, their documents, buildings, and staff. He noted that without the daily work of archivists, the documents would remain “silent and voiceless.”
In his words, the exhibition “Finds of Memory: Unexpected Archival Discoveries” showcases interesting and sometimes curious documents that demonstrate the work of archivists as not only responsible but also creative. Gruev described the Agency as an institution of memory and statehood.
Bulgarian Posts CEO Tsvetomir Doskov validated a postal and philatelic issue commemorating “75 Years Since the Establishment of the State Archives in Bulgaria.” He noted that the company is always pleased to support state institutions and remarked that the stamp will ensure the anniversary is preserved for posterity.
The issue includes one postage stamp with a face value of EUR 0.50 and a print run of 6,000, as well as a special postmark. The stamp was designed by Ivelina Velinova.
/KT/
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