WHO IS WHO: Bulgaria's New Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov

Vezhdi Rashidov

BIOGRAPHY

Vezhdi Rashidov was born on December 14, 1951, in the southern Bulgarian town of Dimitrovgrad, in an ethnic Turkish family. He is 2, when his family moves to the nearby city of Haskovo. His mother died when he was 4.

Rashidov graduated from the National Arts High School in Sofia, and went on to become a sculptor. He has held over 40 exhibits of his works in Bulgaria and abroad.

In 2002, on the occasion of his 30th anniversary as a sculptor, Rashidov was awarded Bulgaria's highest state order "Stara Planina" I.

Over the recent years Rashidov has become increasingly active in taking stands on public issues, and has also been an outspoken critic of the Bulgarian ethnic Turkish party, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), and its leadership.

On July 5, in Bulgaria's Parliamentary Elections he was elected Member of Parliament as the first name on the GERB party ticket in the southern electoral district of Kardzhali.

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