On the eve of the National Day of Bulgaria - March XNUMXrd, the National History Museum received a valuable donation. The rich photographic material was provided by Georgi H. Georgiev, former scenographer of the "Ivan Vazov" National Theater
A valuable donation gesture
On the eve of the National Day of Bulgaria - March XNUMXrd, the National History Museum received a valuable donation. The rich photographic material was provided by Georgi H. Georgiev, former scenographer of the "Ivan Vazov" National Theater. The donor has for decades collected and preserved photographs, mostly of our military history and related aspects. In the name of their further good preservation and in-depth research, according to the will of G. Georgiev, they will be deposited in the museum fund.
The resulting original photographs cover the time from the end of the 1887th and the beginning of the 1918th century and convey additional knowledge about persons and events of our past. Most of the photos illustrate aspects of military life in the period 1885 – 1896, i.e. after the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1905. Military combat and non-combat formations in peacetime and wartime are represented. Among them, distinguished by their content and good preservation, are photos of: the celebration of the Srednogorsk regiment in 1912; parade at the end of the summer maneuvers of the army, between 1917-1; veterinary hospital, 1918; reading room of the XNUMXst Howitzer Regiment, XNUMX, etc. The military theme includes scenes from different types of troops - infantry, cavalry, artillery, and individual faces and group scenes are presented, which illustrate, in addition to a specific environment, uniforms and awards. Of interest are several married couples from the end of the XNUMXth century, where the men were from the military.
The photographs related to the life and activities of Major-General Valko Vasilev are particularly informative and illustrative. They represent a wide time spectrum from the end of the 80s to the end of the First World War. Some of the photos have dedications from his schoolchildren and soldiers, and from their families, which testifies to the good relationships maintained in military circles. In a general photo, Major V. Vassilev is among officers and non-commissioned officers of the 24th Black Sea Infantry Regiment, 1900. Already in the composition of the hunting squad, we can see him in another group photo of the regiment. The donation also contains portrait photos of the future major general.
Valko Vasilev was born in Harmanli on July 14, 1862. In 1883 he graduated from the Military School of His Princely Highness in Sofia. He rose in his career from: company commander of the 4th Pleven Infantry Regiment during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, 1885; commander (colonel from 1910) of the 19th Shumen Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 1st Brigade of the 4th Preslav Infantry Division (3rd Army) during the Balkan War, 1912-1913 to commander of 2nd brigade of the 1st Sofia infantry division, commander of the 7th Rila infantry division, which was part of the 2nd army fighting on the Macedonian front during the First World War, 1915-1918 (general- major, 1916).
Some of the donated photos also have another informational side, which boils down to the fact that they were made in one of the most famous photography studios of their time. O. Markolesco worked in Veliko Tarnovo, and representatives of the Karastoyanovi family worked in Sofia and Plovdiv. The names of the court photographers are associated with photographs of the princely and royal family, of persons from the administrative elite, of architectural landmarks, etc.
The enrichment of the museum fund with this collection creates new exhibition and research opportunities for its specialists. The National History Museum thanks Georgi Hr. Georgiev made the donation unconditional and reminded that his funds are open for such valuable and patriotic donations.
