Община Балчик
от Уикипедия, свободната енциклопедия
| Област Добрич |
|---|
 |
| Съставни общини: |
| Община Балчик |
| Община Генерал-Тошево |
| Добрич |
| Община Добричка |
| Община Каварна |
| Община Крушари |
| Община Тервел |
| Община Шабла |
Община Балчик се намира в Североизточна България и е една от съставните общини на Област Добрич. Общината има 23 населени места с общо население 23150 жители (21.07.05 г.).
Населени места в община Балчик:
1. THE COUNTRY
It would be fair to say that international media focus still tends to be more negative about Bulgaria than positive; prostitution, drug and human trafficking, production of fake money, illegal immigrants and so the list continues. On the positive side, Bulgaria is known for its excellent and inexpensive wines, its many mineral spas and folklore tradition. There is of course so much more waiting to be discovered – so take the time, explore and understand the country, fall in love with it and come back for more…
Population 7, 973,673
Area 110,993 sq. km Language Bulgarian Predominant Religion: Orthodox President: Geogi Parvanov Ruling Party National Movement Simeon II Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Summer temperatures 26 – 30 C
Winter temperatures - 5 - +5 C Time zone GMT +2 Capital Sofia Location and territory Bulgaria is located in South-Eastern Europe and occupies the Northern-Eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the north the country borders on Romania via the Danube River, to the East it touches the Black Sea, its southern neighbors are Turkey and Greece and to the West it borders on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. With its total territory Bulgaria ranks 15th in size among the other European country
History
The Bulgaria state was founded in 681 AD as a union of Slavs, Thracians and Proto-Bulgarians. Tsar Boris I converted the state to Orthodox Christianity in 865. This First Bulgarian State, which stretched from the Carpathians in the north to the Balkan range in the south, fell to the Byzantines in 1018. The Second Bulgarian State, established in 1185 at Veliko Tarnovo, reinstated the borders and a “Golden Age” began in which Bulgaria bordered on three seas: the Black, the Adriatic and the Aegean Seas. From 1389 to 1878 the country was under the rule (‘yoke” as the Bulgarians call it) of the Ottoman Turks. Sofia became the capital of Bulgaria after the Veliko Tarnovo Constitution was accepted in 1879. From 1878 (liberation from the Turks) to 1945 Bulgaria enjoyed a brief but unstable period of freedom. In 1945 the Communist Party led by Georgi Dimitrov took power and proclaimed Bulgaria a “People’s Republic” The oppressive Communist rule lasted till November 1989 when the lead of the other East European states, Bulgaria peacefully ousted the Party leader Todor Zhivkov and declared itself a democratic republic. Now Bulgaria is a parliamentary democratic republic with both a presidential and a prime minister.
Administrative and Territorial Division: 28 regions and 264 municipalities.
Bulgarians you may have heard of abroad: The eccentric artist Christo whose projects usually involve wrapping something large like an island or a building. Ralitsa Vasileva anchor newsreader on CNN in the afternoon. Hristo Stoichkov captain Bulgarian National Football team at the world cup in 1994, coach of the National football team In the world of tennis – Magdalena Maleeva is currently ranked 20th. Victor Krum (fictional) captain of the Bulgarian quidditch team in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Two Bulgarian actors are in the cast of Mel Gibson’s controversial new film “The Passion of Christ”. Hristo Jivkov as John and Hristo Shopov as Pontius Pilate.
II. MUNICIPALITY BALCHIK Location and territory Balchik is a center of municipality and the only town on its territory. The town of Balchik is situated on tiers onto a big ancient landslide. The terrain is cut in the north-south by deep gulches on the territory of the city and in the villas zones as well. The territory is rather complicated because of the relief. Nowadays we can divide the town in two parts – the old town, situated amphitheatrically on the steep shore and the new town situated on the plateau above it. Near the new town is separated industrial and storehouse zone. The population of the town is 13 561 inhabitants. Twin towns: negotiation with: Piestani, Slovakia (spa center), Stara Lubovnia (Slovakia – after the visit of the Ambassador in November 2004), Hagfors, Sweeden with the most popular event of the year is Uddeholm rally and the biggest metal processing plant Uddeholm Tooling AB. Two local newspapers: the municipal “Balchik” and a private “Balchik telegraf”. The municipality has not yet its own web-site. You can find information about Balchik om www.balchik.info and www.balchik.net Balchik is a member of a Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities (www.ubbsla.org) Destinations from other cities: - from the capital Sofia: 440 km - from the district center Varna: 40 km - from the regional center Dobrich: 36 km - the nearest frontier-post Durankulak: 57 km - the nearest custom house Varna/Balchik – 40/36 km
Destination from transport connections: - railroad stations in Varna/ Dobrich: 48/36 km - sea harbor in Balchik, Varna: 9/48 km - river harbor in Russe – 248 km
- airport Varna – 48 km
Population The population is 23 857 people (book “Balchik” XXI century) – it is 3,28% of population of the Black sea municipalities and 0,26% of the population of the country. Balchik – 13 561 people. (According the official address registration bureau: 13 230) The last official census was in 2001 – the population of the municipality was 22 354 Ethnical structure of the population: Bulgarians – 72 % Turks – 14 % Gypsy – 12 % Other (Russians, Armenians, Vlas, Ukrains) – 2 % Age Population under 18 yours: 4367; women 18 – 57: 6409; men 18 – 62: 7544; men and women above this age: 4632 Education Population with university education: 893 Population with higher education: 712 With secondary education: 6384 With primary education: 6383 With elementary: 3895 Unfinished elementary: 1737 Illiterate: 738 Children under 7 years: 824
The present municipality is established with 19 villages and a central town Balchik. The Major of the town is Mr. Krasimir Mihailov – Green Party with collaboration with the ruling party NDSV. The last investigation of the public opinion held in September 2004 (on base of 430 interviws) shows that he is one of the authoritative and reputable person in the town. – 35%, then comes the deputy mayor Mr. Stefan Boshnakov – 5%. Abaut 60% of the population of the municipality are optimistic and positive about the development processes in their town. The most of the citizens (62%) evaluate positive what has the mayor already done and 77 % of the population consider that the mayor is responsible for the developing of the municipality. One year after the election 71% would not hesitate to vote for Mr. Mihailov as a mayor again. Undoubtedly, the mayor and the municipal councilors are working in good atmosphere of approval and understanding. The biggest problems of the citizens are: unemployment (35%), bad state of streets (19%), sewerage and water supply – respectively hygiene (13%), cleanness of streets (9%), Balchik is an expensive town for 9% of respondents. The situation in the tows was improved last years in the following sectors: public utilities of the town, cleanness, telephonization, electric supply, security, health, transport. The things are worth as a whole in employment, well-being and state of the roads.
Geografical charachteristics of the municipality Balchik The Municipality Balchik is one of the 8 other municipalities in region Dobrich. The region itself belongs to North-Western Plan Region (6 regions and 49 municipalities). The municipality Balchik is one of the 14th Bulgarian municipalities which are situated along the 378 km Black Sea cost. (Note: member of the Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities, www.ubbsla.org). Total territory of the municipality is 523 sq. km.
The natural environments together with its resources specify the social economical development of the municipality Balchik. As a result two different by their economical characteristic parts of the territory are formed – an inland area (agricultural) and a seaside area. The territory of the municipality can be divided into two geographical regions: - The first region includes the Black sea coast ad the valley of the river Batova. The coastal line of the Batova river is low, with long beaches ( forest reserve Baltata, Albena) In the rest the coast is steep and riches 150 m height. The beach strip reaches up to 30 kilometers in length which is an important condition for the development of the region in the sphere of tourism and recreation. - The second region is a part of Dobrudza plain. The Dobrudja plateau has slightly hilly relief. The height varies from the sea level to the plateau level and reaches up to 250 meters, hence the unevenness of the terrain. The agricultural fund of the region is 42 663,4 hectares, 35 884,4 of them arable lands. The woods cover an area of 5996,4 hectares and the populated area is about 1695,5 hectares. This region is extremely rich in mineral springs and underground waters which are the main sources for the modem water-supply system with a capacity of 1000 liters per second. Some mineral ore deposits were found around the village of Obrоchishte. There are 67 water drills, 10 of which are mineral. Waters are also presented by the lower course of rivers Batova and Kranevska. Within the municipality borders there are found industrial deposits of manganeseese and black mineral coals. The ore bed is between 280 - 420 meters in depth and 10 meters in lift and is more then 62 mln tons. The Dobroudzha coal field located in the area between Balchik and Kavana, near the village of Makedonka covers an area of 50 sq. km. Four coal-measures were found at a depth of 1300 to 2000 m which provide a capacity of more than 12000 millions tons. But they are very deep – more then 2000 m. The area between Balchik and Shabla is also being examined for some oil and gas. It is performed by a Russian company “Bashkirgeologia” and covers 971.8 sq. m Tuzlata – a place that can be an attractive spa center near Balchik where deposits of curative sea mud are estimated 38 000 tons.
The typical white rocky hills and fragments, which are a result of the ancient geological processes, mark out the exotic appearance of this place. In the beginning of 2004 Balchik was nominated between 13 Bulgarian cities as a city with high importance for the image of the country (nomination was made op basis of internet investigation among 9 740 people by National convent of experts. The aims of institution are not very clear for me – of course the obvious ones are to work for the nominated cities, to make them popular worldwide etc. The town has received a honorary diploma in Sofia and now has to pay 9 000 lv fee for possibility to use an office, a secretary etc. in Sofia. The chairman of the organization in Sofia – Rositsa Zlatanova)
History BALCHIK - 2600 years old Balchik (formerly known as the city of Dionysos - Dionysopolis) is a small but very romantic Bulgarian seaside town located on Black Sea coast. Apart from the main stream of the tourists visiting Bulgaria and by all means unknown to the world, Balchik was preserved until today in its own multicultural authenticity. In this small town and in the region are living peacefully people whose ancestors are (in order of settling) ancient Greeks, Bulgarians, Turks, Tatars, Gypsies, Rumanians - not including individuals belonging to other minorities. In the streets of the town Bulgarian and Turkish are the mainly spoken languages. The town is 2600 years old - one respectable age. During this time it has been known as the Greek colony of Cruny, the Greek-Byzantine fortress Dionysopolis, the Medieval Bulgarian town of Karvuna, the Ottoman Turkish and later Bulgarian town Balchik up to now. The town was shortly conquered from the army of Polish King Wladislaw III Jagelo Warnenchik (1443/44) and the Ukrainian Cossacks (1604). At that time new ethnical minorities were formed: Turkish-speaking Christians called Gagauzi and Tatars (probably from Russia). In years 1913-1915 and 1919-1940 Balchik was under Rumanian rule - at that time the Summer Palace was built. CRUNY - THE LEGENDARY Though there are very few historical sources informing about the foundation of the ancient Greek settlements along the Western Black Sea coast, it becomes evident that the first and most important centers of the ancient civilization - Istros, Tomis. Calaus, Apolonia (nowdays Sozopol), Odessos (now Varna) and Messambria (Nessebar) were set up in the period between 620 -575 BC According to Herodotus the town of Crunoy (Cruny) was established during the reign of king Astiag - an ancient ruler of present day Asia Minor. As the legends in the old chronicles say the native population together with the merchant seafarers from Yonian Greece (present day Asia Minor) organized the living in the new town named Cruny. Translated from Greek this title means water springs. It derives from the fact that the lands in the region were extremely rich in mineral springs and underground waters. Life in the town prospered through a brisk trade oversea. Close trade relations were established with all Mediterranean countries. At that stage of development the settlement was found in the mid-fourth century by Philip II of Macedon. It is still a moot question whether the title of the town was changed exactly at that time or later by those of the inhabitants who believed in Thracian Orphism. If we trust this extract from an ancient chronicle: „... during a violent storm the sea cast ashore a statue of Dionysos..." it becomes evident that the change in the name of the town was an act of paying honor to the God Dionysos. On the emblem of the town you see the found here the torso of the God. For the found foot of the unknown Goddess the legend tells that this is a foot of Aphrodite who stepped here for the first time on earth… DIONYSOPOLIS - THE MIGHTIEST To make a clear description of the development of the ancient Hellenic settlement is still a difficult task. Nevertheless the remains of a vast fortress construction show the strategy of its ruler. Those lands belonged to Alexander The Great whose empire spread on the whole of the Balkan Peninsula in the mid-fourth century BC. The town undoubtedly flourished. Some of the written records of that time found on the territory of the present day town tell about the many-sided social, economic and cultural life in the settlement. An important characteristic of the economic independence of the town was the presence of a mint producing coins until the middle of the third century AD Then during the reign of emperor Gordian III a number of administrative changes took place in the empire. The remains of ancient fortifications are an important evidence of the large area occupied by the town in the past. The small Hellenic fortress was broadened first northwest and then, in the end of the second and the beginning of the third century, it grew southwards to the sea. The town was built in accordance with all requirements of the ancient military and civil construction, it had water-supply system, a catch-water drain and a number of temples and public buildings were erected. During the reign of emperor Justinian (527 - 565) Dionysopolis passed a period of rapid progress. Later on the beautiful lands of the Balkan Peninsula drew the attention of some barbarian tribes (Avars, Protobulgarians and Slavs) and as a result the so called barbarian invasions began in the 7th C. So, along with the rest of the towns down the western Black Sea coast, Dionysopolis fell into the hands of the barbarian conquerors. Hence a new settlement grew upon the ruins of the ancient town. It was named Karvuna. BULGARIAN STRONGHOLD KARVUNA The new name of the town appears for the first time in an ancient chronicle which dates back to the mid-ninth century Together with some previously established towns Karvuna is most frequently associated with the dawn of Danubian Bulgaria. It came to be known that upon the ruins of Dioinysopolis was set up one of the biggest fortified settlements on the territory of Danubian Bulgaria. It occupied an area of more than 130 ha surrounded by large earthworks During the 1st half of the ninth century the earthworks were replaced by the reconstructed stone walls of the ancient settlement which appeared to be a better form of defense. Karvuna. (the origin of the title has not been discovered yet) functioned as an important city-center of mediaeval Bulgaria until the beginning of the eleventh century. Than Byzantium took possession of the lands lying south of the river Danube. As a result of the riots in Paristrion Bulgarion the population of the mediaeval town was forced to leave and settle on the neighboring hillocks west of the present day center of the town Under the rule of Byzantium ( 11th - 12th C.) and later up to the late mid-fifteenth century the settlement underwent a period of considerable material and cultural progress. In 1366 the main town of the region became the inaccessible fortress Kaliakra, the residence of despot Dobrotitsa. Until the mid- 18th century the title Karvuna still appeared though rarely in historical documents such as the two synodical resolutions of the Constantinople eparchy (1369 - 1389) and a number of navigation charts drawn by Pietro Visconti, Mario Sanudo Senior and Grazioso Benincasa. THE HERITAGE OF THE PAST - BALCHIK For a long time the town sunk in oblivion. The first information for the existence of a settlement on that territory was like a distant echo. It provided ground for disputes on the problem of the mixed character of the population for after the Ottoman invasion in Bulgaria and the process of colonization of Dobroudzha during the 15th - 17th century Balchik was converted into a town with predominating Turkish population. The bulk of the population that occupied the place before the invasion of the Turks left. Very few Christians remained, most of them stockmen. A poor little settlement was built on the ruins of the flourishing in the past mediaeval town. In 1604 the place was assaulted by the Cossacks. In 1653 the title Balchik was registered by the traveling geographer Evlia Cheleby and legalized for the coming centuries. The wars led by the Russian empire at that period provided conditions for a new Bulgarian colonization. About the beginning of the 19th century the town has already grown into a district center. An intense social-economic progress began. The port was also modernized, just like the ones in Constantsa and Varna. During the years 1845 - 1847 was erected a church called „St. Nicola" and the first school in the district was built by the Bulgarian municipality. Several years later another church called „St. Georgy" was constructed with the financial support of the ardent patriot Koyo Baichev. The townscape reflected the revived spirit of the population in its peculiar manner. The mosques and the minarets which had dominated its outlook before the mid-nineteenth century were replaced by numerous two or three-floor houses. Some of them still exist as the reconstructed ethnographic house, the Temelkov's inn, the National Revival Complex and most of the buildings on Alexander Stamboliiski Street - all of them constructed in the style of old Bulgarian schools. The old hotel in neoclassical romantic style built between 1866 - 1871 is undoubtedly an important architectural find for the professionals. During the years 1869 - 1870 an intense struggle for independent education began and the Bulgarian inhabitants of the town established a cultural club. Despite of the frequent conflicts between Greeks and Bulgarians the national cause of the latter gained superiority. After the liberation in 1878 a number of administrative changes took place in Bulgaria. Hence the town became a center of one of the 66 regions that the country had been divided into and several years later its lost privileges of a district center were restored. The period between the end of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century was one of great industrial, economic and political prosperity of the region and the town itself. Seven joint-stock companies operating with a capital fund of more than two million golden levs were established, a number of factories, many fishing societies and a corn-exchange were founded, and the production of agricultural goods continuously increased. Education and culture also underwent great progress. The foundation of a library, a theater, an orchestra and a sporting society became possible due to the ardent patriotism of the town's intelligentsia. In 1913 the third national catastrophe led to the annexation of South Dobroudzha and its town centers as well. With the exception of the years between 1915 - 1919 the occupation of Dobroudzha lasted until the autumn of 1940. Though the Rumanian court intended to transform the town into a pearl of the Black Sea coast these were hard times for the Bulgarian population. Most of the schools were closed and the natives were deprived of their own lands. The most progressive-minded people of the district emigrated. The first acts expressing disapproval of the foreign rule were the establishment of Bulgarian private schools and cultural societies. On September 21st 1940 as a result of the agreement signed in the Rumanian town Craiova Balchik was the first town in the region that gave a hearty welcome to the Bulgarian liberation army led by the governor - general Popov. Since 1940 to the present day in the eve of the 2600th anniversary of the foundation of the ancient settlement Cruny, Balchik has constantly been the center of a district, which shares common borders with the districts of Vana, Dobrich, General Toshevo and Kavarna. Historical sights and museums in the region. The Palace When we speak about Balchik we undoubtedly think about “The Palace” – the formal summer residence of the Romanian queen Maria and the botanical garden. This fascinating place made a strong impression first on the Romanian prince Satu Mare who visited Balchik during the first occupation of Dobrudza in 1913. In later time he visited Balchik again in 1920 and bought over 2 acres of land near the mils. In 1921 traveling round the new Romanian lands, Queen Marie, wife of the Romanian King Ferdinand, granddaughter of Queen Elisabeth of England, also came to Balchik. Prince Satu Mare made a present of his property to the Queen. Within a short time after that she bought the mills, vineyards and orchards – total 35 hectares. Architects and builders Augustino and Amerigo came all the way from Italy together with the florist Jules Jany of Switzerland. The construction started in 1924 and was completed in 1927. (The Queen’s husband Ferdinand died in the same year}.
Queen Marie was a particularly romantic person who was disposed to gentle melancholy. It was her need for meditation and reflection amidst the quit of the virgin nature of the shore at Balchik (she called it the Silver shore) that made her have her summer kiosk built and called the “Quiet Nest” It should be noted that at the time she came to Balchik the Queen was a mature woman of 49. Everybody who has come to visit this place usually expects to see grand buildings. This is not the case however. What one sees instead is small and simple buildings, most of which are old reconstructed water mills, with their waterwheels and decoration preserved. Ancient Tracian amphorae and Christian tombstones are spread all over the park as a reminder of time's eternity and human life's fugacity – a material expression of Queen's desire to amalgamate the religions trough the bahai faith. (the Bahai philosophy preached unity of God, unity of religion and of the human race) The separate gardens are connected by narrow winding stone steps.
The "Quiet Nest" is a comparatively small three-storey building in oriental style with a minaret, based over three subsequent terraces, by the very sea shore.
The alley starting from here reaches as far east as the second bridge, a copy of the "Bridge of Sighs" just over the waterfall waters. This is the best place to watch the beauty of the falling water, the greenery of the beach and the villa of Prince Nikolai - Marie's younger son.
Through this bridge one enters the another flower garden and further to the "Roman bath" which is part and parcel of the surrounding landscape, build on a separated terrace in the middle of a marvelous garden, decorated with amphorae, stone vases, fountains and cascades. Religious motifs can be read on the bath's walls. Going on we see a small chapel as if build to complete this lovely landscape. The chapel is Christian orthodox and was made of local material, stone mainly, and covered with Turkish tiles. The most valuable decoration is the mural, featuring Queen Maria holding the chapel's model in her hand. The chapel is surrounded by a small yard with a fountain and tombstone Christian monuments. A stone staircase winds among shady trees, bamboo shrubs and aromatic flowers to the "Garden of Allah". Bright flowers, ancient amphorae and a number of benches for rest spread around. The cactuses occupying the whole eastern part of the garden are of greatest interest. The exit of the holy garden resembles a chapel. The infant Jesus and Virgin Mary are portrayed on the wall together with angels' head images.
By an irony of fate Marie’s beloved Quit Nest was fatal for her. In August 1937 her two sons Carol and Nicolai had a bitter row. Hearsay has it that the cause was again one of the love affairs Carol was for ever getting involved in. Seeing Nicolai reached for his pistol Marie stood up between them and was injured in the stomach. She died after 8 month in 1938. The Queen’s dying wish was to have her heart preserved in the royal chapel at Tehna Yova – Quite Nest where it was kept till 1940. A few words about the fate of the Romanian dynasty. The last Romanian King, Mihai, Marie’s grandson, ascended the throne in 1940. He remains on the throne till 1947. Mihai lives now in Switzerland and earns a living by trading in aircraft. In 1997 he was given back Romanian citizenship and visited his homeland.
In 1955 here was established a botanical garden with the help of Sofia University – which today takes care of more then 2000 species of plants and an enormous collection of cactuses (1 sq. dca). That gives rights for the University to claim itself as one of the owner of the Palace. The fact that the place is owned by two organizations has caused a number of scandals last 10 years. The biggest one was in summer 2004 when the ministry of Culture (its minister Abrashev is with the lowest reiting in the government) announced a project to turn “The palace” into “Cultural and religious center” and to build there 56 cottages, a theater with 1000 places, tennis courts, swimming pools etc. (the total value of this project is 4 mil. Euro) The question – who is the owner of the palace and the garden: Sofia University or the Ministry of Culture is complicated by several acts of regional leaders in a period of 1992 -98. The Abrashev’s project is stopped at the moment and 27 congressmen tried to declare the palace and the garden as a “protected territory”. Meanwhile the municipality of Balchik has nothing against to manage this attractive sight by its own as it was in a period 1992 – 1995. The major Kr. Michailov is sure that only this will stop the long-lasting conflict between the Sofia University and The ministry. However this will be going to be decided in a court. For the thousand of tourists that visit The Palace every year these problems are luckily not so obvious – strange is only a fact that they should pay for the entrance two times and a double fee…. Anyway – the Palace /or as it officially is called now The State Culture Institute “Culture Center The Palace” / will be forever a symbol of Balchik. The Palace is in a list of “100 national historical sights of Bulgaria”. Other museums in Balchik and historical sights. All museums in Balchik are municipal owned. There are three managers, one technical employee. In the art gallery works another two gallerists. Historical museum The museum is situated in a nice building and consists of three rooms. All inscriptions are translated in English. In spite of a long and rich history – the exposition is short and is not attractively presented. One part of the second floor is a storehouse; in the other the Municipality organizes marriage ceremonies. Interesting fact: for this year (till November 2004) there were 811 couples that contracted marriage here. 700 couples are from Israel (In Israel only religious marriage is possible). Wedding tourism is organized by a company from Varna.
Revival complex It is a rather interesting sight – includes a church St. Nikola built in 1866 and a revival school from the same period. The complex is now renovated by the project “Beautiful Bulgaria”. This is the most successful historical place after “The Palace”: it is often visited by organized tourists from Albena (mainly Scandinavians).
Ethnographical museum The ethnographic museum is displayed in a beautiful restored house that once belonged to a wealthy local corn – merchant. It shows the cozy atmosphere of typical village and town guest – rooms of the end of the 19 th century. The numerous authentic exhibits, arrayed on two floors, show the development of handicrafts (cart – wright’s, blacksmith’s trade, carpentry cooperage), the occupations and the lifestyle of Balchik residents (working and formal clothes, fishermen’s nets, a loom and harvesters’ tools. Was created in 1982-83.
Art gallery
Is a first Art gallery in South Dobrudza and is situated in a nice building erected in the beginning of 20 century. It exposes modern Bulgarian art and organizes various exhibitions. Art gallery is always in organizing committees of various festivals. In February – mart 2005 one of the managers will take part in Leonardo Projects – Training of young gallery managers for developing of educational programs. (Spain) The town was often visited by Romanian artists and in 1937 they founded here an art gallery with an archeological section. In the beginning of 2004 in the Art gallery of Konstanca there was an exhibition “Balchik in Romanian Art between two WWs” – 375 pictures and more then 100 photos. Had a big success.
Couple of years ago the municipality issue a color poster : Visit the museums of Balchik! According to the museum manager 5000 people visit annually these museums.
Church St. Georgi The church was built in 1895-1897. Is situated in the center of the town and has one of the most beautiful altars in Dobrudza, the icons are the gifts of the citizens. The church is in a list of protected monuments.
Church St. Petka Is situated in a new town. The construction started in 1935 by Romanian authorities, but only in 1954 it was finished and consecrated. This year the church celebrated 50 anniversary of this event. Church St. Elena – Greek church Is situated in front of the Art gallery and is now used for concerts. Also for summer opera studio
Mosque Long period it was closed. Of course it is also supported by religious organization from Turkey. It is important that 14 % of the population are Turks, a lot of gypsies are also moslеms.
The mill The mill of the industrial join-stock company is an impressive five-storey building and is situated on the cost. It was built in one year time and had the most modern equipment for that time. The mill is the only one in Bulgaria with concrete siloses, the first one with dust protectors, capacity of the mill was 12 carriages per day. The mill was created with a capital of an Industrial join-stock company which united 4 companies from Balchikand produced the best flour in Bulgaria. The mill is also a symbol of Balchik that illustrates spirit of enterprise of the citizens. Its construction marks the top point in economical development of the town. It is a symbol of an industrial development not only of the region importance, it is a historical monument of our way towards European technical achievements. The mill has a tragic fate – it was bombarded in 1916 by Russian ships and set in fire.
In summer 2004 the municipality together with a company in Varna ……??? prepared a project for PHARE program “Developing of cultural tourism”. One of the main idée was to reconstruct the mill and on the first floor to establish a year round visit center – in winter month it could be also a training center for people working in tourism. It could be one Public relation center of the city. From the sea side there was made reconstruction with support of Beautiful Bulgaria project – covered market.
The “Fortress” The ruins of the early Byzantines fortress were studied 10-15 years ago. The sight is now not guarded and not visited by tourists. In the region Village Obrochishte Teketo The ruins of this medieval dervish monastery are situated in the south end of the village. The complex consists of two buildings. One of them – is a ”turbe”, mausoleum which is appr. 12 m high and 11 m in diameter. The moslims believe that the gave here is of their saint Ak Yazala baba and the Christians – of their saint Atanas. Both saints are patrons of cattle and help to find lost house animals. That is why before the place was visited of many shepherds that offered as sacrifice lams. This explains the name of the village – “obrochishte”, the place of offering (“obrok”). The other building of the complex – is kervan-sarai, the kitchen with a high chimney. The walls are about 5 m high, the wooden roof was destroyed during the Russian-Turkish war.
The place is still visited by a lot of Muslims and Christians.
This summer one of the village people an actor and producer Todor Atanasov organised every week a classic concert (piano and violin – Darina Vasileva) in the ruins of the kervan sarai. The place was restored with a financial support of “Beautiful Bulgaria” project. Church Assumption This church, situated in the center of the village, is 120 years old. The church, the plane and a small monument for all killed inhabitans of the village during the wars in 20th century were reconstructed with financial help of Albena JC (52 000 lv). Dambata - The Dam The construction of the Dam started in 19… in order to prevent landslides and to connect Albena and Balchik with a road along the sea. The total length of the construction is 8 km. The work stated from the both sides – Albena and Balchik. To finish it – it is still necessary to built appr. 2,5 km. The municipality of Balchik applies at the Ministry for regional development for financial help (the price of the project is app. 5,5 mln leva). The lates news – the European bank of investment approved the financing of the project (to construct 1247 m and to finish a part of 1179 m) and give for the project 3,2 mln euro. The auction will be held in begin of 2005 following Minister Tserovski. Finishig of the Dam is one of the ambitious projects of the Municipality for the next year 2005.
Cultural institutions “Chitalishte” – library, is a very popular form of a cultural center in Bulgaria. Nowadays it is of course not only a library it is more a town club with divers activities. There are two chitalishtes in Balchik and 8 in other villages in the municipality. The municipality organizes and supports “Children complex” as well.
Chitalishte Paisi Hilendarski In fact – this is the cultural institution of the town. Choir “Chernomorski zvuci” – 90 years. Amateur theater The auditorium of this chitalishte is always used for concerts, theater production etc. Poets club Director – Plamen Banchev Tel 0579 72511
Chitalishte Vasil Levski Was created in 1959 for the inhabitants of the new quarter of the town. Folklore dance group “Balik” with 80 dancers in three groups. Lady’s folklore choir “Dobrudzanki” with 21 singers Classes in gadulka, bagpipe and folklore singing The internet center of the chitalishte was equipped in 2003 with the financial help of the Ministry of Culture and program Matera of the government of the Netherlands, American agency for international development and UNO development program.
Children complex In 2005 it will celebrate 50 anniversary. It is visited by 700 children aged 5 – 18 years. There are several clubs: Ecology, Computer, Art, Journalist, theater studio, dance group, dance folk group, singing group, Sunday religion school, chess club etc. The complex applied three times successfully for the programs of the American Peace Corps and an Agency for International development. With the financial support from this organization a computer class was equipped and a new kiln for the Art studio was bought. The complex initiates a feast “My Bulgaria” and an International children summer festival “Smiles of the sea”
Cultural activities The budjet of the municipality for the department Culture, Education and Health for 2004 is 35 000 lv…. In May there was opened “European opera studio Balchik” by Professor Ventsislav Katsarov. His idea is also to reform the studio into opera academy for all year round education. Summer opera academy Sacra of Alexandrina Milcheva, another opera singer, – is organized for the 10th time. However is not very much supported by the municipality (during the last concert Mvr Milcheva refused flowers from the mayor of Balchik and the chairman of the City council as a note that she is very disappointed with this fact – Local press) The festivals: Children’s festival “Smiles of the Sea” 24.06 – 01.07 (for Children aged 7 – 17) is organized by the municipality and a youth organization from Odessa “Sources of Future” Music, dance, choirs, theater, children’s planer – every summer. National planer “Balchik, painters, love” 1 – 20 july Week of the Sea, August 1 – 8 3d national culture week 20 -29 October (also in Albena, Varna, Dobrich, razgrad, Silistra, Ruse, Targoviste) Supported by the municipality of these towns, Albena AD, publishing house “Zahari Stoyanov” Theater festival “Impulse in Balchik” (work center of Jerzy Grotovski and Thomas Richards) International festival of modern art “Process - Space” - June. In 2004 the moto was “cave – stone – oven” (the main sponsor “Prista Oil) Student’s film forum 21-25 September. The promoters offer 10 years cooperation to the municipality and to turn the event into an annual event. This year more then 100 students from 10 countries took part in the event. Sport FC “Chernomorets” – 6th place in B group, there is a children football school. Financial support of the municipality. The stadium is in a very good state (see photos) Sport club “Chernomorec” This year the management of the sport department had an offer to the municipality to use some sport facility of Albena, namely for tennis. The offer is for the fee of 5 lv monthly to form 3 groups of 12 children in different ages, 2 days a week. In summer these kids could be engaged also on the tennis courts. (Was the offer accepted?) Another idea of the municipality – sport field-day for the Balck Sea municipalities. Possibilities for golf in near future (see also “projects”). Scouts Scouts organization exists in Bulgaria since 1921. From 1926 till now its chairman is Miroslav Dimitrov (88 years old). The total quantity of scouts in Bulgaria is 2000 persons; organization is active in 26 cities. (Not in Balchik, however). In 2006, the year when Bulgarian scouts organization will celebrate 85th anniversary, the organization plans to organize “jumbare” in Balchik (Tuzlata). Mr. Dimitrov has visited the mayor of Balchik and got a principal support from him for he organization of the event. Support of the Ministry of youth and sport will be looked for also.
Economy An active population in the region is average for the country – 60 %. Unemployment in the region at this moment is app. 10 % or 1093 people (50 % of them are women) 1. Agriculture – a branch with a lot of perspectives mainly for grain products. On the territory of the municipality there are registered a lot of “cooperations”, Ltds etc. which cultivate together app. 350 000 dka land. The state agriculture research institute is situated in the village of General Toshevo. The main agricultures are: wheat and barley (140 – 150 dka annually), maize and sunflower seed (140 00 – 150 000 annually) and 10 000 – 12 000 dka beanlike (beans, lentils, soya and Lucerne). This year the yield in the region was: wheat – 420 kg/ dka, sunflower seed – 210 kg / dka, barley – 386 kg/dka, maize – 600 kg/dka. The high crop risen the price of the agriculture land in the region – with the profits the land owners are buying new lands also because in the EU subsidies and quotes will be given on base of land size. The average price for land this autumn is 220 – 300 lv/ dka. Also the price for houses in villages is risen – an old house is sold now for 40 000 euro. A new building on the sea shore is now difficult to be found for 150 000 euro (Local press, October 2004) SAPARD in the region: these are data for the whole Dobrich region, which is on the second place in the country in this program. About 150 projects are approved by this program in the region. For the municipality Balchik: ??? PLEDGE (www.pledge-bg.org) in the municipality – no data For example in the neighborhood: Shabla – covered market, General Toshevo – distillation line for lavender; Kavarna – support of tourism. New agriculture – Cole-seed (rapeseed) (for biogas and biodisel)
2. Industry The biggest companies in the region are (names written in bold are of especial big importance to the development of Balchik) : Heavy industry Batova river’s manganese Mine Ltd, (manager – Mr. James Haslam) and Evromangan Ltd - in Tsarkva and Obrichishte: excavation of manganese. Excavation of lime stone – “SM” EAD “Elprom Termo” JV – production of high voltage equipment “Geomash Remont” JV – repair of drill equipment Light industry “Ge te ka” – Italian textile company with 3 sewing work departments and total 600 peoples personnel. The company has an intention to widen its production capacity and to build new workshops. Textile tailor work shops Yamb – Balchok Textile work shop – village Zmeevo PC “Stil” – produces various metal and wooden items; production equipment against dust and pneumatic transport of the powder products; bus stops, kids playing grounds, benches, garbage containers, metal doors etc. Salbor – production of aluminum joints for windows Food industry “Papas olio” (manager Stefan Karov) – one of the three companies of the Bulgarian-Greek company Papas, production of raw oil mainly for export. The company has capacity to keep 100 000 t sunflower seed, to dry and to frozen seeds, daily capacity of the plant is to process 420 oil sunflower seed. 100 people at work. “Zaharni isdelia” Ltd from Varna – perform its production in Balchik, productions of biscuits and waffles, 417 peoples personnel. Cooperation “Cherno more” - Trade, production of bread, transport Ribex EAD – processing of rapans. Dairy farm – (Fama OOD – Varna) village Tsarichino, production of Production of pastry Shokolino - Balchik Construction Albena 2000 Kruni – Balchik Stroiperfect Bard OOD – Balchik Colorit Transport Albena Autotrans AD Travel OOD Transport company “Marin Hadjiev. Horse farm in the village of Strazhica – with a lot of problems Harbor Balchik The port is managed by “Port Varna OOD”. The harbor can accept small vessels with displacement 5000 – 6000 t and is suitable for general an loos cargo. There are two places on the pier. The depth of the wade is 8.0 m, the territory of the harbour is 10591 sq.m. Last year the harbor was visited by 39 vessels (13 less then in 2002). 148 000 (less then in 2002) tones were processed in 2003, mainly grain (maize, wheat, sunflower seed). Decrease is explained by restriction in export of grain in 2003. http://www.port.bg/bg/varna.html
Interesting fact: in August 2004 in Varna a Bulgarian tanker No 203 was named “Balchik”. The mayor of the town was on the official ceremony as well. Yacht port The territory of the yacht port is very soiled, one of the reason that here there too many fishing boats. The municipality has a plan of giving the yacht port to concession; there is also an idée to remove the fishing boats. However the Bulgarian companies that promote yacht tourism in BG have chosen another port. (Btv neuws 28.11.2004) The municipality has promised till the end of the year to work out a project for development of the port, one of the best in BG. These two companies have not yet started its activity but also could be of big importance: “3 G” OOD – golf field Panoramica Balchik Tessa Energy – wind generators
3. Tourism – is the main branch of the economy of the municipality. Always is a priority in all programs. It is represented of course by the resort Albena – Albena JVC is the biggest company on the territory of the municipality, but also by numerous hotels and private accommodations in Balchik, village of Kranevo, Obrochiste and Tuzlata. There are three private tourists agencies in Balchik: “Chaika”, “Zaria” and “Sea Foods”. This summer for the first time the municipality opened Info - bureaus: in Balchik, in Albena (bus station) and in Kranevo. Therefore in the budget 2004 there were foreseen 50 000 lv. The main purpose of these bureaus was to give information for tourists. In Kranevo this bureau was entitled as well by the municipality to verify hotels registers. This increased the income of the municipality of course. In the beginning of the work the most private owners of the hotels and rooms were cautious and were even afraid to provide this bureaus with the information about free rooms for example. Later this suspicion was overcome and in high season about 50 – 100 people visited these bureaus every day. The evaluation of the work is coming. From this year the municipality has a Tourist council (one of the member is Mr. Kalinkov from Albena). One of the first decision was to present the destination Kranevo, Albena, Balchik together on the tourist market . In the beginning of the year Mr. Stanev has invited the mayors of Balchik and Kranevo to visit together the tourists fair in Paris. However, is the work of the council effective enough? For the developing of tourism in 2004 the municipality has foreseen 760 000 lv. The municipality promotes Balchik as a tourist destination with the help of: a colorful booklet about the municipality in Bulgarians, English and German; with cooperation with Publishing house “Slavena”; publications in the magazine Tourism and Recreation, special edition for WTM – London.
