>The Municipal Center for Culture and Youth Activities in Kardzhali has been a home to traditions, music, dance, and the preservation of Bulgarian roots in the city and the region for more than 70 years. The House of Culture is a place where the beauty of folklore has been conveyed and presented to audiences over the years through various formations. Numerous people have participated in the folklore ensemble, performing traditional dances dressed in beautiful folk costumes. It is the city’s landmark for preserving the beauty of traditions and folklore, inspiring with the history created by all those who have been part of the House of Culture’s creative activities over time.
One of the first major enterprises in Kardzhali and the Eastern Rhodopes was the Bulgarian-Soviet mining company “Gorubso.” In the early 1950s, a House of Culture for workers in the mining industry was established under its auspices. In October 1952, the new building of the House of Culture was inaugurated, which at the time was the most impressive building in Kardzhali.
In its early years, the House of Culture was managed by temporary administrators, with a director appointed by Gorubso’s general directorate or later by the Regional People’s Council. The first director, from October 24, 1952, was Dimitar Yosifov Chernopiyski, an artist by profession who worked for many years at the “Komsomolets” factory. Over time, the activities of amateur artists expanded, and the House of Culture evolved into a center for all citizens of Kardzhali. At one point, it was also referred to as the Regional House of Culture. Its activities were initially funded by “Gorubso” and later by the Regional People’s Council, but as it grew into a city-wide cultural center, it began receiving support from the municipality as well. Directors of the House of Culture included Zlatka Garipova (from 1953), followed by Hristo Botusharov and Krastyu Bekirski. On September 11, 1959, Olga Kiryakova took over the position for more than 20 years, followed by Marin Vladinov, Tamara Dimitrova, Vasil Vasilev, and the current director, Mariana Likova. The development of creative activities at the House of Culture began with the establishment of a Music and Dance Ensemble in 1952 by its founder and long-time leader Todor Momchilov. Over the years, the ensemble has performed thousands of concerts and participated in international festivals and tours in countries like Russia, Turkey, Greece, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, the USA, South Korea, Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania, and others.
In 1954, by decision of the Regional People’s Council of Kardzhali, an Arts School was established. Instruments were purchased, and qualified musicians were appointed as teachers. Many professional musicians started their careers here, including Professor Atanas Slavchev (recently the rector of the Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts in Plovdiv), Professor Petya Bagovska, Professor Tanya Brangova, Radost Popova, Ivo Papazov (Ibrahim), Neshko Neshev, and others who have brought fame to Kardzhali and Bulgaria. In 1971, a folk orchestra was established to accompany the folklore dance ensemble, with its first conductor being Dimitar Kolev. The last leader of the orchestra was the popular accordionist Neshko Neshev. The orchestra includes instruments such as the kaval, clarinet, accordion, keyboard, tupan, and bagpipe.
Today, the Municipal Center for Culture and Youth Activities remains an attractive cultural hub for people of all ages. It provides opportunities to develop talent in acting, dancing, music, and singing. The specialties offered at the School of Music and Dance Arts include Piano, Violin, Guitar, Accordion, Bagpipe, Folk Singing, Pop and Jazz Singing, Bulgarian Folk Dances (Preparatory Group), Modern
Ballet (Preparatory Group), Representative Music and Dance Ensemble “Orpheus,” Children’s Dance Ensemble “Orpheiche” Dance Club “First on the Dance Floor,” Musical Theater, Drama Studio, and Ballet.
In February 2024, the building of the House of Culture in Kardzhali was illuminated in purple as part of the municipality’s participation in the initiative of the Association of Parents of Children with Epilepsy. This marked International Epilepsy Day, observed on February 12 this year. On this day, iconic buildings in cities around the world are lit in purple.
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