Position of the BNC of ICOM – Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM

PROF. GEORGI VALCHEV, PHD.

RECTOR OF THE SOFIA UNIVERSITY

“ST. KLIMENT OHRIDSKI”

PROF. AMELIA LICHEVA, PHD.

FACULTY OF SLAVIC PHILOLOGY

SOFIA UNIVERSITY “ST. KLIMENT OHRIDSKI”

Dear Prof. Valchev and Prof. Licheva,

A position of Prof. Nikolay Nenov, Director of the Regional History Museum – Ruse, is being circulated on social networks regarding the name of the exhibition “Literature is not a Museum”, realised by the Faculty of Slavic Philology of Sofia University and visiting the country.

We, from the Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM, the most influential international museum organisation under UNESCO, support the opinion expressed by Prof. Nikolay Nenov. We consider it unacceptable to use such a comparison nowadays, when museums are the place and preferred partner for the preservation and presentation of intangible heritage. This title shows ignorance of the work and importance of Bulgarian museums, suggests a negative attitude towards the institutions that preserve cultural and historical heritage, and introduces division and opposition to important elements of cultural life.

We propose that the title of the exhibition be changed and unite, instead of creating tension between different professional communities. We hope that the oldest and most authoritative higher education institution will become a driver of initiatives for better understanding and popularisation of the activities of Bulgarian museums and our rich cultural and historical heritage.

Sincerely,

Prof. Svetla Dimitrova
Chair of the Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM