The Historical Park in Bulgaria stands as one of the most remarkable cultural and entrepreneurial initiatives of the past 35 years and beyond. With its grand ambitions and scale, the project not only promotes but also revives the country's rich historical heritage. Located in the village of Neofit Rilski, Vetreno Municipality, the park offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the past through impressive reconstructions of historical scenes, buildings, and landmarks, spanning various eras of Bulgarian history—from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, through ancient Thracian times, to the glorious years of Medieval Bulgaria.

Beyond its cultural and historical contributions, the Historical Park plays a crucial role in the region's economy. Spanning over 130 decares (about 32 acres), its diverse attractions draw tourists from all over the world, positively impacting the local economy and creating numerous jobs. This makes it an essential economic driver not only for the region but also for Bulgaria as a whole, strengthening its position as a leading global destination for cultural and historical tourism.

What sets the Historical Park apart is that it was built entirely through private investment, without any government or EU funding. This highlights the project's independence and sustainability, while also reflecting the immense support from Bulgarian and international investors for large-scale cultural initiatives.

The park not only restores history but brings it to life with its impressive reconstructions, offering visitors a rare chance to experience the past in a way few places in the world can provide.

Political Pressure and Criminal Attacks

Despite its cultural, historical, and economic importance, the Historical Park has faced coordinated attacks from various political and economic interests. These include targeted disinformation campaigns, inspections by multiple state agencies, pressure on investors, and even extortion attempts from organized crime groups. Political forces, along with media corporations and criminal organizations, have actively sabotaged the project's development, attempting to undermine its influence and success as a tourist destination and cultural center.

In 2022, the attacks intensified when the international company CWP, represented by Dimitar Enchev and Katina Yordanova, announced plans to build a large wind farm in close proximity to the park.

This decision raises serious concerns not only for the preservation of the region's natural beauty but also for the essence of the project itself. The planned wind turbines threaten the ecological balance of the area and create conditions for transforming it from a tourist and cultural zone into an industrial complex.

The proposals for wind turbines have sparked numerous fears within the local community, including the destruction of fertile soils that sustain the livelihoods of many residents and the risk of polluting water sources, which could have long-term negative environmental effects. Additionally, locals fear that such industrial development will lead to the degradation of their traditional way of life, increasing noise, restricting access to farmland, and undermining the cultural heritage that the Historical Park aims to preserve.

Combined with political pressure and media manipulation, these attempts to industrialize the area threaten not only the existence of the Historical Park but also the entire region, which relies on tourism and agriculture for economic development.

Media Campaign and Disinformation

One of the key aspects of the attacks on the Historical Park is a large-scale media campaign orchestrated by interests linked to oligarchic and political circles. These attacks are primarily carried out through media controlled by figures such as Ivo Prokopiev, whose publications and platforms serve as tools to discredit the project. The campaign aims to portray the park negatively and undermine its success, utilizing various means of manipulation and disinformation.

Yoan Zapryanov, one of the representatives of these media circles, publicly admitted that the goal of the very first article written against the Historical Park was to provoke its bankruptcy. In an interview, he expressed surprise that the project continues to exist despite the targeted efforts to destroy it. These media campaigns are characterized by the creation of a distorted reality and fabricated claims intended to erode public trust and discredit the project's founders and investors.

Through publications based on speculation and unfounded allegations, an image of instability and corruption surrounding the Historical Park has been crafted, aiming to hinder its development. These disinformation efforts are supported by political forces with vested interests in dismantling the park's potential as a cultural and tourist destination.

The media campaign also involves attempts to manipulate public opinion through misinformation about the project's financial status, including false claims regarding the management of funds and potential risks for investors. These actions have serious repercussions for the park's reputation and create obstacles for its development on both national and international stages.

The media campaign also includes attempts to manipulate public opinion through disinformation regarding the project's financial status, including false claims about fund management and potential risks for investors. These actions have serious repercussions for the park's reputation and create obstacles for its development on both national and international levels. This disinformation campaign is a key tool for those trying to block the project and prevent the park from achieving its full potential as a cultural and economic engine for the region.

Aiming for Depopulation

This media attack is not merely a random attempt to discredit the Historical Park. It is part of a broader and well-coordinated scheme that involves not only media manipulation but also collusion with criminal groups seeking to extract financial gains from the project. Through systematic threats and pressure, these groups influence the park's investors and executive director, Ivelin Mihaylov, with the aim of undermining the project's stability and reaping personal or financial benefits.

However, the goal of this scheme extends far beyond simply destabilizing the project. It also includes attempts to depopulate rural areas in Bulgaria, which would allow oligarchs and their allies to establish control over strategically significant territories. The depopulation of these areas facilitates the exploitation of natural resources, the construction of industrial facilities such as wind farms, and the development of infrastructure without public resistance.

The reasons behind this pressure on rural areas are complex and include:

Land Control: Land in depopulated areas is cheaper and easier to acquire, allowing oligarchs to build industrial facilities without local opposition.

Destruction of Communities: Depopulation undermines traditional rural communities that could resist plans for industrialization and land exploitation.

Infrastructure Pressure: With a declining population, oligarchs can construct infrastructure that would otherwise face opposition from local residents, such as wind farms and industrial sites.

The main objective of this scheme is to create instability around the Historical Park to deter both domestic and international investors. Moreover, these efforts aim to dismantle public trust, which is critical for the continued development and success of similar cultural and historical projects.

These actions, combined with the media campaign, pose a serious threat to the future of the Historical Park and its establishment as one of the most significant cultural projects in the region.

The Fate of the Vetrino Municipality

For a long time, Vetrino Municipality has been a symbol of cultural development and tourism in Bulgaria, winning the prestigious “Tourist Municipality of the Year” award for 2022. This success is the result of strategic investments in cultural and historical projects like the Historical Park, which plays a crucial role in attracting tourists from both Bulgaria and abroad. The creation of numerous jobs and the growth of local businesses contribute to the thriving economy of the municipality.

However, the future of Vetrino Municipality is now in question due to the planned construction of a wind farm and other industrial projects in close proximity to the Historical Park. The proposed wind farm brings with it serious risks for the future of the municipality as a tourist destination. If realized, this project would transform the area from a cultural and tourist attraction into an industrial center. Such a change could not only reduce the influx of tourists but also destroy the long-established reputation of the municipality as a leading destination for cultural tourism.

Instead of the tourist area continuing to develop, a shift towards an industrial profile would harm Vetrino’s economic prospects. The decline in tourism revenue, the loss of jobs in the tourism sector, and the alteration of the cultural image of the municipality are just some of the serious negative consequences. This would be a heavy blow for a region that relies on tourism as its primary source of income and has established itself as a cultural hub thanks to the Historical Park.

The situation is particularly critical for the future of cultural and economic development in Vetrino. If the wind farm is built, the municipality risks losing its status as a tourist destination and becoming an industrial area with limited opportunities for attracting new investments in tourism.

Parliamentary Attacks and Political Interference

For the first time in Bulgarian history, a private project like the Historical Park is the subject of a parliamentary investigation, raising serious questions about the objectivity and legitimacy of the process. The committee established for this purpose bases its investigation on claims that are not supported by concrete evidence and appears to be motivated by political and economic interests aiming to sabotage the project's success, particularly targeting its executive director, Ivelin Mihaylov.

Especially concerning is the fact that key investors and the creator of the Historical Park were not heard during the investigation, seriously compromising the right to defense and the objectivity of the process. One of the main witnesses summoned by the parliamentary committee, Simon Milkov, is a person with multiple convictions who was even wanted nationally on the day of his hearing in the National Assembly. This fact raises doubts about the legitimacy and motivation of the parliamentary committee, as well as the true motives behind the investigation.

This unusual parliamentary inquiry highlights the questionable practices of participants and parliamentary groups in the National Assembly involved in the committee—GERB, “Revival,” DPS, ITN, BSP, and PP-DB. Instead of ensuring a transparent and fair process, the committee relies on dubious testimonies while ignoring key participants who could provide meaningful insights into the actual state of the project.

This attack not only calls into question the objectivity of the investigation but also raises alarming issues regarding the state of free enterprise in Bulgaria. The procedures used against the Historical Park are perceived as a threat to investors' rights, which will negatively impact future private projects and discourage both Bulgarian and international investors from engaging in projects on Bulgarian soil.

The Fight to Preserve Cultural Heritage in Bulgaria

The Historical Park is not just a tourist attraction; it has established itself as a symbol of Bulgarian culture and unity. With its scale and vision, the park embodies Bulgaria's aspiration to preserve and present its rich history to the world. Created entirely with private funds, the project has become a nationally and internationally significant example of how cultural heritage can be preserved and developed through modern initiatives and private investments.

However, the attacks against the Historical Park do not only affect the specific project; they represent a broader threat to free enterprise and efforts to preserve cultural heritage in Bulgaria. The opposition to such initiatives through political and economic pressure, as well as media and legal attacks, sends a dangerous signal for the future of private projects and the country as a whole.

The call to the Bulgarian and international community is to pay attention to what is happening in Bulgaria and to support efforts to preserve cultural and historical heritage. The park is not only a cultural center but also a symbol of the potential for development through private initiatives, independent of government and European funding. In this context, the attacks against the Historical Park are attacks against free enterprise and the country as a whole.

The Historical Park continues to host numerous cultural and historical events that attract tourists and researchers from both Bulgaria and around the world. Nevertheless, the future of this cultural center is in jeopardy if the attacks and political pressure continue. Preserving the project is critical for maintaining Bulgarian identity and for establishing Bulgaria as a destination for cultural and historical tourism.

Boris Batchev, Investor