Culture Ministry Announces 'Bulgarian Louvre' Public Bid

PM Borisov (right) and Culture Minister Rashidov (left) seen at the abandoned building of the Sofia Technical University during the groundbreaking ceremony for what is to become the “Bulgarian Louvre” museum. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Culture Ministry announced a public tender for the project of the future museum known as the “Bulgarian Louvre.”

The decision to build the new cultural complex, which is located in the very heart of the capital Sofia, adjacent to the “Alexander Nevski” Cathedral, was made at the end of 2009, while in mid-April, Bulgarian state leaders broke ground of the construction site.

The government is investing BGN 20 M in the museum, joining together the building of the National Gallery for Foreign Art, and an old building formerly used by the Sofia Technical University. Some BGN 2.5 M of the funds for the reconstruction and construction will come from the EU Regional Development Operational Program.

In December, Culture Minister, Vezhdi Rashidov, said the 24 000 square-meter museum will be designed as project of architect, Vladislav Nikolov, approved by the former socialist-led cabinet for BGN 1.8 M financing under the EU Operational Program, but a new public tender has been published Tuesday in the State Gazette.

The requirements for the participants are to have an architectural design license issued by the Architects' Chamber or certified professional qualifications under the Professional Licensing Act and have experience in public buildings' projects.

After selecting the design, the cabinet will announce a new tender for a building contractor.

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