site.btaOrnithologist Zlatozar Boev: National Museum of Natural History Is Very Significant in Bulgaria's History

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is very significant in the history of Bulgaria, said Prof. Zlatozar Boev of NMNH told BTA's Vanya Suharova. He is an ornithologist. Part of his research is related to the history of zoology, ornithology and palaeontology and natural history collections. For years he has been collecting the history of the National Museum of Natural History, established 135 years ago.

"Exactly one-third of the 135 years of the National Museum of Natural History are also part of my history," he notes. The Professor has been on the NMNH staff since January 1, 1980.

CURATED BY HEADS OF STATE

This is the first museum in Bulgaria and the first natural history museum on the Balkan Peninsula. The building that houses the museum today was the first building that was specifically designed for museum needs and was built for a museum. It took ten years to build - from 1926 to 1936, he specifies. "Ever since it was built and until today it is the largest, the richest natural history museum in all the Balkan countries," the scientist explained.

"We are unique in another way - that two of the museum's curators were ornithologists and heads of State of the Bulgarian kingdom - Ferdinand the First and his son Boris the Third. Both of them had special knowledge of natural sciences and especially ornithology. Both were members of international scientific societies", says Prof. Boev. According to him, newly arriving natural specimens were initially identified and distributed by them personally. On rare occasions, they sent them to fellow specialists abroad.

THE CREATION OF THE MUSEUM

The anniversary of the National Museum of Natural History is on August 2, because it was established on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of the accession to the throne of Prince Ferdinand. He came to Bulgaria in 1887 and on August 2, 1889 he gave a banquet in the palace to which he invited dignitaries and guests. He had been a keen amateur since his childhood. At the banquet he displayed his personal natural history collection in one of the halls. It included exotic birds - primarily hummingbirds, as well as spectacular insects - giant butterflies, beetles, says Prof. Boev. 

SURVIVOR OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR

"Natural History Museum of Ferdinand - the king of all Bulgarians" - this was the name of the museum in the beginning, the Professor notes. During the Second World War many buildings in Sofia were damaged. But thanks to Acad. Ivan Buresh, who was then in charge of the Royal Institutes of Natural History, the exhibits were packed in advance, they were taken out to the villages near Sofia, even to Svoge, where they were preserved. Then everything was quickly recovered.

After 9 September 1944, although half of Sofia had broken windows, Vasil Kolarov ordered the glassworks to supply the museum as a priority, so that it could be glazed first and the showcases made, the scientist says. "The people's power had a good attitude towards the museum, says Prof. Boev.

UPTURN THESE DAYS

"In recent years, the National Museum of Natural History has seen an upsurge," notes Prof. Boev. In his words, many renovations of depots and storage facilities are being made, European projects enable restoration with modern equipment, and very good working conditions are being created for his colleagues.

"The museum is already going in a good direction. Its popularity internationally is growing. Many colleagues are writing in international publications," he says. And he notes that NMNH is the only centre in Bulgaria for vertebrate palaeontology, paleozoology, and archaeozoology. It is a national centre for biospeleology and the study and conservation of bat fauna, as well as a major research unit in entomology.