The exposition presents, through original objects, documents and photographs, the three directions in the struggle of the Bulgarians for spiritual and political independence, which mark the transition from the Old to the New in the XNUMXth - XNUMXth centuries. The story follows the movement for new Bulgarian education, the struggle for an independent church and the struggle for national liberation and restoration of the Bulgarian state.
The theme "Bulgarian secular education" presents the creation and development of the new Bulgarian literary language, the new Bulgarian school, the emergence of educational societies and community centers through original documents and books, textbooks and pedagogical literature, authentic school aids, preserved personal belongings of prominent Renaissance personalities.
A special section in the exhibition is dedicated to the struggles to create an independent Bulgarian church institution. The efforts of educational and church leaders, which ended with the recognition of the Bulgarian Exarchate in 1870, are illustrated with official documents and unique exhibits - relics of prominent church leaders.
Simultaneously with the struggle for an independent church and national education, there was also a struggle for political liberation. In the last theme "Freedom or Death" the struggle for national independence is presented. The exposition narrative in this section traces the main stages in the development of the national liberation ideology - Chetnik tactics, creation of the BRCC and the internal revolutionary organization, the political, organizational and military-technical preparation of the April Uprising in 1876. The main moments of the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation and the contribution of the Bulgarian militia for their own liberation. Archival documents, letters, maps and photos, uniforms, weapons, flags and decorations, relics related to prominent revolutionary figures and events are displayed.
Tracing the historical fate of the Bulgarian people in the period of transition to the values and stereotypes of the Modern era, the museum narrative emphasizes the activities of prominent historical figures, the main driver of the revival processes - Paisii Hilendarski, Sofroniy Vrachanski, Neofit Rilski, Petar Beron, Dobri Chintulov, Petko Slaveykov, Nayden Gerov, Exarch Yosif, Stefan Karadzha, Georgi Rakovski, Lyuben Karavelov, Vasil Levski, Hristo Botev, Stefan Stambolov, Panayot Volov, Zahari Stoyanov, Nikola Obretenov, Zhelio Voivoda, Ivan Bobevski, Ilio Markov, Petko Voivoda, etc.
The Renaissance narrative at the National History Museum represents the beginning of the modernity we continue to live in and the formation of the national identity we continue to carry. The exhibition aims to educate, give intellectual delight and introduce the visitor to the history of the notorious revivalist spirit of the European XIX century.
