Speaker of Parliament Tsveta Karayancheva opened an exhibition to mark the 135th anniversary of the Varna library and the 125th anniversary of the birth of its long-serving director Dobrin Vasilev.

“Pencho Slaveykov” regional library has a special place in the cultural life of the city and for 135 years now it has been a symbol of the citizens of Varna, said Tsveta Karayancheva in her address. Today we express our acknowledgement of the work of Dobrin Vasilev, the man who deserves special credit for the development of the library, emphasised the Speaker of Parliament. The exhibition we are opening now is also dedicated to the citizens of Varna, who have maintained the library throughout the years, added Tsveta Karayancheva.

She wished the library employees to treasure this temple of learning and enlightenment and urged that we all to keep our books and pass on the love for them to the young people.

The exhibition “I’m a dreamer…” presents the evolution of the library since it was founded in 1883. It shows the first books, the special collections, but also revives Varna’s cultural life. Personal files and artefacts reveal details about the life of Dobrin Vasilev, a public figure and artist, author of a bibliography and history of the city.

The Speaker of Parliament received an electronic library card of the Varna library and could order books from a book-lending machine. Tsveta Karayancheva wrote a message in the visitors’ book of the regional library and received a special badge “Library Ambassador” from representatives of the library association.

Mayor of Varna Ivan Portnih told the participants in the event that a construction license had been issued for the new building of the Varna library. I am happy that three years ago we took the initiative to build a new home for our library and despite the challenges, I believe that we will do this with common efforts, he said. Ivan Portnih congratulated all library staff on the occasion and emphasised that thanks to their efforts for 135 years, the library had preserved and enriched its book stock.

The celebration of the anniversary was attended by MPs, Chair of Varna Municipal Council Todor Balabanov, Counter Admiral Mitko Petev, university rectors, directors of cultural institutes, and descendants of Dobrin Vasilev.