site.btaVarna Korenyak Society Unites Residents from Different Origins since 1925

The Varna Korenyak [Native], a cultural, educational and economic society, was established in 1925, uniting people such as Czech architect Anton Novak, Czech-Bulgarian archaeologist brothers Karel and Hermin Skorpil and Lithuanian revivalist Jonas Basanavicius, Regional History Museum Tour Guide Stefka Muhtarova told BTA on Friday.

She pointed out that at the time of Bulgaria's Liberation the inhabitants of Varna numbered about 21,000 people, only 3,500 of which were Bulgarians, as the majority population was Greek. "The city was actually a fortress, which is why there was also a very significant (presence of the) Turkish army. After the signing of the Berlin Treaty, the fortress wall was demolished, and refugees from Thrace and Macedonia began to flock to the coast," Muhtarova said, adding that people lived in diasporas until 1925.

She recalled that the Varna Korenyak was the first such society in Bulgaria, with the founders setting themselves the goal of working together for the development of their city. Even though times were turbulent, with many political squabbles, tension and mutual slander, these men agreed that it did not matter which party they supported as long a long as they would all work together to help the development of Varna, Muhtarova emphasized.

Two years after its formation, the society began publishing its own newspaper of the same name. The issues are available in digital form in the collections of the Regional Library, the tour guide noted, adding that the first issue, dated 6 May 1927, describes in detail the merits of Asparuh of Bulgaria and how the fortress of Varna fell into his hands in 678, thus becoming a Bulgarian city.

The roots and origins are a strong unifying element, Muhtarova stressed, adding that the founders of Varna Korenyak wrote in its statute that anyone could become a member, as long as they had lived in Varna for 10 years. She noted that for many years the members of the society acted as a corrective to the municipal authorities, with one of their most important tasks being to protect the city’s antiquities and to collect and publish information about the history of Varna.

She pointed out that the society is an example of things that can happen in Bulgaria as long as there is a desire for change, citing their motto: “Through culture, work and perseverance for the prosperity of Varna”.