Buzludzha monument in detail

Built: 1981 by Bulgarian Communists, since the superseding of Bulgarian president Todor Givkovand and political changes in 1989 the state of the monument has been in decline.

Location: on a 1441 metre peak in the Balkan mountains, Bulgaria

Surrounding area: hilly, open terrain, nothing for miles.

The monument looks as if it is out of an old Sci-fi movie or illustration - suggested symbolism of future greatness. There is also said to be an old time capsule buried within the ruins of the old monument that holds information on the significance of the monuments design for future generations.

"Friends of the communists" return to the monument yearly to commemorate the communist party and try to clean and preserve what they can of the old monument, however the door is now closed to public viewings, and there are no groups overly concerned about upkeeping it on a regular basis.


The architect of this building was Guéorguy Stoilov, and the building took seven years and 6000 workers (volunteers and civil engineering troops from the Bulgarian army) to help construct it. General Delcho Delchev of the Stara Zagora civil engineering section oversaw the construction. The monument was also mostly paid for by the Bulgarian people, and cost around 14 186 000 leva (around 7 000 000 €).

The mosaics of the interior was created by a variety of famous Bulgarian painters and sculptors, with themes of the mosaics relate to traditional Soviet propaganda - family, revolution, war against capitalism, space travel and the rich vs poor. Inside the monument are also the portraits of former Bulgarian leaders of the communist party.



Breakdown of the monument and current activities:

After 1989 the monument was left to decay, although it is still often visited by tourists and the yearly social gathering initiated by the Bulgarian Socialist party which attracts thousands of followers (30-40000 people, on the first Sunday of August/end of July). The gathering involves partying at an outdoor nightclub before official celebrations start and also the socialist party meeting an a festal program. The official meeting begins the the Bulgarian national anthem and the Communist Internationale.

The portraits of Givkovand and Ludmila in the interior of the monument have since been voluntarily destroyed. Copper adornments in the building have been stolen and marauders have been breaking the windows and stealing mosaics and ornaments from the monument. There are no public institutions who aim to conserve or renovate the building nor has the Bulgarian Socialist party taken action to maintain the symbolic monument. The large star on the monument has been shot through because it was believed to have been made of ruby.

information:

http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/19875/1/buzludzha-the-abandoned-spaceship-of-bulgaria-photography


http://www.buzludzha.com/history