site.btaMadara Reserve Chief Curator Yorgov: UNESCO Listing Boosts Madara Rider’s Profile

The proclamation of the Madara Rider as a UNESCO World Heritage monument in 1979 has had a beneficial impact, Yuri Yorgov, chief curator at the National Historical and Archaeological Reserve Madara, told the Bulgarian News Agency at the launch of the July edition of LIK, which focuses on the theme Bulgaria in UNESCO.

“This means great popularity both for the Madara Rider and for Bulgaria. Especially in recent years, when borders have opened and people have started travelling more and more, visitor numbers are constantly rising,” Yorgov added.

Yorgov commented that during the Covid-19 pandemic, visitor numbers to the National Historical and Archaeological Reserve Madara were lower, noting that in other years, annual attendance is almost always above 50,000. He added that the most important thing for him is the popularity of the site. “With the borders open and Schengen now a reality, we have seen a flow of foreigners eager to see the Madara Rider,” the chief curator said.

According to him, there is always a need for more publicity. He added that some people have never heard of the Madara Rider, while other visitors come specifically to see it. However, for the average tourist, the site needs to be well-known, Yorgov noted.

“A large part of the visitors to the Madara Rider are brought by Bulgarian guides who provide them with information. Those who come independently, in small groups or as families, have travel guides and access to information. It is possible there are visitors who end up here by chance, but we haven't been able to establish this. They do not say why or how, but in general, everyone leaves satisfied after visiting Madara,” the chief curator at the National Historical and Archaeological Reserve Madara said.

In response to a question about theories regarding what the Madara Rider depicts, whether it is a symbolic or historical scene with a Bulgarian ruler, Yorgov replied: “As scholars, we adhere to the official interpretation that the figure represents Khan Tervel, spearing a lion that symbolizes Byzantium, accompanied by a dog, the eternal companion of our ancestors, the Bulgarians. Some newer theories, which are not yet widely accepted by the academic community, suggest alternative interpretations, such as the figure representing the god Tangra or Asparuh himself, but so far, none of these have replaced the established view,” Yorgov commented.

He said that following the removal of the metal scaffolding from the Madara Rider, a new system will be set up to prevent unauthorized access. “For now, there are only signs and caution tapes, and we hope that people have the good will to respect the restrictions,” the curator added.

The Madara Rider and the National Historical and Archaeological Reserve Madara are open every day of the year except January 1. For the remainder of the year, opening hours are from 08:30 to 19:00, Yorgov said, adding that everyone is welcome.

Boryana Panayotova, director of the Centre for Support for the Personal Development of Children and Students – United Children’s Complex Anastas Stoyanov, Shumen, and Roza Encheva from community center Dobri Voynikov-1856 also attended the launch event for the LIK issue devoted to Bulgaria in UNESCO at the BTA National Press Club in Shumen.

The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee runs until July 16 at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris under the presidency of Bulgaria. As part of the session, Bulgaria will present elements of its cultural and natural heritage. The July issue of LIK magazine, dedicated to Bulgaria and UNESCO, was also officially presented at UNESCO.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded on November 16, 1945. Bulgaria became a member on May 17, 1956, the same year its National Commission for UNESCO was established. The Commission coordinates activities between Bulgarian institutions and UNESCO.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is one of the two governing bodies responsible for implementing the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. It is composed of representatives from 21 countries elected from among the 196 States Parties to the Convention.