Bulgarian Tourist Union Chairman Sees Bright Future for Organization

Ekaterina Toteva, Diana Dukovska

From left: Bulgarian Tourist Union Executive Secretary Lachezar Lazarov and Chairman Ventsislav Venev lay flowers at the start of events marking the 130th anniversary of organized tourism in Bulgaria, August 27, 2025 (BTA Photo/Blagoy Kirilov)

Sofia,

27.08.2025 20:25

(BTA)

The Bulgarian Tourist Union (BTU) has an exceptionally bright future, Chairman Ventsislav Venev said on Wednesday. "With its tradition, its people and its hikers, the Bulgarian Tourist Union will remain forever on this land, and a march towards Cherni Vrah will set out from this spot every year," Venev said at the memorial plaque in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the starting point of the first organized ascent of Cherni Vrah (2,290 m) on Mt Vitosha near Sofia.

On August 27, 1895, following a call by writer Aleko Konstantinov, 300 nature enthusiasts ascended the mountain's peak. On Wednesday, many citizens laid flowers by the plaque.

BTU has launched a series of events marking the 130th anniversary of organized tourism in Bulgaria. The celebrations held under the patronage of President Rumen Radev will run through August 31 in Sofia and on Vitosha, featuring commemorative events, processions, sports competitions and concerts.

Later in the day, the formal opening of the celebrations took place at the Military Club in Sofia. In an address read at the event, President Rumen Radev emphasized the Union's contribution to preserving the tradition of tourist associations and developing Bulgarians' tourism culture. He said the significance of BTU's mission stands out today in the context of environmental protection.

Congratulations on the anniversary were also extended by National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova, Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh, Youth and Sports Minister Ivan Peshev, and the leadership of the National Tourism Board and of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, among others.

/DD/