The chairman of the Union of Artists in Bulgaria Hristo Mutafchiev asked seven specific questions to the Minister of Culture Marian Bachev and invited him to a public debate. The statement comes in response to Bachev's claims that the guild's accusations are "unfounded and unacceptable", according to bTV.
"You also point out that such accusations, when not supported by facts, undermine trust in institutions and divert focus from the real dialogue on the state of Bulgarian culture. It is in the spirit of transparency and public interest and our respect for the institution of the Ministry of Culture that we invite you to open a public debate on the following specific issues that directly concern the legality of your management," Mutafchiev addressed the Minister.
The first question concerns employees dismissed by the Minister who win their cases against the Ministry of Culture at each subsequent instance. Mutafchiev asks whether Bachev believes that he acted within his legal powers and in defense of the public interest when dismissing them, specifying that the compensation will be at the expense of public funding.
The second and third topics concern the appointment of a director of the National Cultural Foundation at the end of February 2025. The Chairman of the SAB asks for what reason a director was appointed who does not meet the conditions under Art. 29 and Art. 29a of the Law on the Protection and Development of Culture. In addition, he raises the question of whether the new executive director of the National Palace of Culture was appointed in May 2025 in contradiction with the incompatibility provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act.
The fourth question is related to a person sanctioned for conflict of interest who continues to manage the National Palace of Culture and to manage a public procurement for 20 million leva under the European Union Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. Mutafchiev points out that the Internal Audit Unit of the Ministry has identified serious violations by the management of the National Palace of Culture, and the State Financial Inspection Agency has rejected the motives of the executive director.
The remaining three questions concern systemic violations in the financing of state cultural institutes in the field of performing arts. Mutafchiev asks why monthly recalculations are not carried out, whether uniform expenditure standards are being observed and whether Art. 7 of the Law on the Protection and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, according to which cultural heritage of national importance is financed entirely and as a priority from the budget of the ministry.
The chairman of the guild also raised questions about the delayed spring sessions for the creation and distribution of theatrical performances, musical concerts and dance performances, as well as the late formation of the commissions for the determination and financing of projects for conservation and restoration activities.
In conclusion, Hristo Mutafchiev emphasizes that he expects specific answers to all the questions raised in the name of public interest and transparency of governance.