A plan to demolish part of the National Academy of Arts sparks heated controversy.
Critics claim that the reconstruction will disrupt the authentic appearance of the absolute center of Sofia. According to the author of the project, however, the area will become a cultural and civic center. The concerns are that the new building will look more like a residential building. And it will disrupt the harmony of the old center, NOVA summarizes.
„I really hoped that the implementation would be in line with the old architecture”, said art historian Yulian Raychev. According to him, the project has received approval at all levels and was last revised last year.
The Academy's management is also categorical that they cannot afford to endanger the lives of students and teachers.
„We have embarked on this thing with a very high sense of responsibility, which we have been trying to fix for 20 years in the name of the future of our students. We will in no way allow ourselves to do any unreasonable and thoughtless things”, explained Prof. Georgi Yankov, rector of the National Academy of Arts.
The destroyed building has not been used for seven years, after it was declared dangerous. After the reconstruction, it will continue to be part of the „Alma mater” of future artists.