The performing arts need reform.

This was stated by the Acting Minister of Culture Prof. Velislav Minekov

Velislav Minekov is a professor at the National Academy of Arts (NAA).

He finished his education during a meeting of the parliamentary committee on culture and media.

He answered current parliamentary questions.

The minister noted that the losses of the performing arts from the pandemic were impressive, and for this reason they directed BGN 33 million to them. According to him, there is a big difference in the state of the theaters and the opera in the capital and those in other cities.

While in Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna the state cultural institutes work well and the halls are full, in Ruse, Burgas and Stara Zagora the operas are in a relatively difficult condition, he noted.

Minekov added that in many places the artists work for salaries of a maximum of BGN 1,100 - 1,200, which is not good.

The Ministry of Culture paid BGN 1,400 rent for an apartment for Minekov's deputy

According to the minister, a reform in the sector should affect the issue of financing the performing arts institutes and the election of their directors.

Minekov believes that it is not good to make decisions about the programs of cultural institutions based only on financial parameters.

According to him, there should also be valuable ones.

He gave the example of Germany and France.

Minekov noted that classics and debuts are better subsidized in Germany than satire, for example.

In addition, in director competitions, candidates must have a proposal for a person who will be responsible for budget and financial matters.

According to the minister, the artistic director should deal with the artistic program.

There is a way to solve the problems, said Prof. Minekov and added that they draw information from the laws in other European countries.

Minekov also commented on the situation in the National Theater.

According to him, the current audit is proceeding too slowly.

He indicated that if there are doubts that the inspection is being done in the interest of the current director, he will also seek an external audit.

According to him, there are fears in the theater, people there feel oppressed, and the troupe is absolutely divided and the damage will be great.

When asked about delayed files from the National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage (NINKN), Minister Minekov noted that there are actually over 3,000 files, and some have been waiting for many years.

He gave an example of one whose waiting period was 12 years. 

According to Minekov, the problem is with the small composition of the commission and the poor pay of the specialists.

He pointed out that the institute had 2,800 associates and employees, and when he first became a caretaker minister, they were 45 people.

The average salary at the National Institute of National Statistics was BGN 1,050 - 1,100, and no one appeared for a number of announced job competitions.

At the moment, we have increased salaries, with the average becoming over BGN 1,600, he added.

The minister noted that they are working on the issue of the institute returning to the building that was created especially for it. 

Velislav Minekov