site.btaEuro Adoption Will Bring Greater Security, Predictability, Stability to Cultural Sector, Minister Says
Culture Minister Marian Bachev said introducing the euro is a major change, but it offers a chance for greater security, predictability and more stable development in the cultural sector. He addressed a meeting in Gabrovo on Tuesday, part of the National Informational Campaign on the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria in January 2026.
Bachev emphasized that the dual display of prices of services and goods, effective since August 8, is not a reason to push up prices. Any increase should be based solely on real economic factors and always applied transparently.
He cited the experience of other countries. One year after Estonia adopted the euro, cultural institutions reported increased interest and visitor numbers. In Lithuania, there has been a boost in tourist flows and growing interest from international audiences, while in Slovenia, this effect has become a lasting trend, supporting sustained growth in international visits.
For artists and cultural institutions, the euro also brings concrete benefits. It will facilitate international participation and tours by eliminating the need for currency conversion, thereby saving unnecessary costs and avoiding delays in fees, royalties, taxes and other expenses, said Bachev. The euro will also provide better access to European funding and programmes such as Creative Europe and Erasmus+. Cultural heritage initiatives already operate in euro, which for institutions means easier planning, more reliable reporting and greater competitiveness when applying for funding for writers, musicians and translators. He stressed that this will lead to greater security in international contracts and increased sustainability of joint projects.
The benefits will also be felt in cultural tourism, the Minister added. Foreign visitors will find it more convenient to visit museums, galleries and festivals without exchanging currency, which is expected to attract significantly more tourists and generate new revenue for cultural institutions. "The euro will not change our values, but will make culture more accessible both at home and across Europe. It will give us the tools to be more flexible, competitive and ambitious in our projects," Bachev said.
/RY/
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