We partnered with Bulgarian lifestyle magazine EVA to present female leaders from the Bulgarian nonprofit and public sectors. The result was EVA’s Optimistic Issue: 15 Stories of Success. This is one of the featured stories, republished with permission.
Text by Lilia Ilieva
Photos: Kostadin Krastev-Koko and personal archive
On November 1 last year, the Day of the Bulgarian Enlighteners*, Dr. Evgenia Naydenova received one of Bulgaria’s highest cultural honors—the Golden Age silver badge of honor, featuring the seal of Tsar Simeon the Great, along with a certificate for her contributions to developing and strengthening Bulgarian culture and national identity. For a while, these awards adorned her office at the Oryahovo History Museum, one of the most interesting and modern museums in Bulgaria. Now, they are displayed at her home, alongside a prize for professionalism, dedication, and hard work in developing the museum in the Oryahovo Municipality. Evgenia hopes that the recognition of her work will serve as a good example for her children.
Her enlighteners
Her greatest enlighteners are her parents. Her mother, a nurse, and her father, a physician, taught her to love people, be honest, and work hard. She admires her father’s compassionate approach, sense of duty towards his patients, and his ability to optimize treatment. She is also influenced by Nikola Kotzev, the founder of the Oryahovo Museum. A teacher and community center organizer, Kotzev led local orchestras and theater companies and was dedicated to preserving Bulgarian traditions. She is inspired by his efforts to gather fascinating information about events and people, as well as his contribution to the first written history of Oryahovo.
Making dreams a reality
Evgenia studied history at Veliko Tarnovo University, specializing in archeology. She is fascinated by the prospect of uncovering traces of the past and revealing stories written in the earth’s layers. She also has a keen interest in ethnography. The Oryahovo History Museum is a dream come true for her. She vividly remembers the excitement, joy, and burning questions of her first day at work in 1995. The museum captivated her, gradually becoming her calling and the place where she feels most at home.
Over her 28 years with the museum, Evgenia has brought many of her ideas to life. The museum has transformed in both substance and appearance, with new technologies showcasing cultural and historical heritage, and improved exhibits and storage conditions. Archeological excavations have been conducted, leading to the discovery of an Ottoman hammam with a preserved heating system, which is set to be conserved, restored, and exhibited in an open-air display. The museum has become a hub of Oryahovo’s cultural life. Evgenia is well-respected by her colleagues, collaborates effectively with government institutions, and has earned the trust and support of the Oryahovo Municipality.
Dr. Naydenova loves her job and feels it fits her personality perfectly. She enjoys being part of preserving the past, passing down knowledge, and instilling love and respect for the country’s heritage. Every day brings exciting opportunities, from the freedom to pursue her ideas and learn new things to the thrill of discovery, interacting with people, and knowing that her work is meaningful. Despite often staying after hours, she always has time and energy for her family. She enjoys spending her free time with her children, meeting friends, reading books, and taking walks in nature.
Dr. Naydenova’s greatest challenge is sparking every visitor’s interest in the exhibition to ensure they leave satisfied. This requires diverse and individualized approaches to presenting historical topics. “It is a huge challenge to hold the attention of young people today and excite them,” she says. To this end, she employs modern technologies. Evgenia is also interested in philanthropy and the life of national hero Vasil Levski. She is the longstanding chairperson of the Vasil Levski Committee at the Oryahovo Municipality.
America for Bulgaria Foundation
Evgenia first became aware of the America for Bulgaria Foundation through her participation in projects like the Donate to Make a Difference program, administered by the June 1 Association from Byala Slatina. Her initial collaboration with the Foundation was on the Echo of the Centuries initiative in 2021, which aimed to develop the Danube region as an exciting tourist destination. Thanks to the trust and support of Yuliana Decheva, program director for cultural heritage and nature tourism at the Foundation, the museum began offering activities such as archery practice, reenactments of medieval battles, and knight armor exhibitions to attract more visitors to the Kamaka medieval fortress.
In 2023, the America for Bulgaria Foundation funded the museum’s permanent multimedia exhibition Marin Varbanov: the Prince from Oryahovo, curated by Ivo Milev and designed by Formatik Studio. Using modern technology, the exhibition immerses visitors in the creative world of Professor Marin Varbanov, a pioneer of textile art and founder of the textile art department at the National Academy of Art and the Contemporary Fiber Art Research Institute in Hangzhou, China. Alongside the exhibition, the Foundation supported the publication of an album of Marin Varbanov’s work in partnership with the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture.
Reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to 2024, Dr. Naydenova is grateful for the opportunity to bring her ideas to life and for overcoming all challenges. She appreciates the recognition and awards she has received, as well as the wonderful collaboration with the America for Bulgaria Foundation and everyone who contributed to the museum’s projects. Dr. Naydenova is thankful for the support of the Oryahovo Municipality, the partnerships with other museums and institutions, and the new archeological discoveries made by her excellent team. On a personal level, she cherishes the warmth of her family and the beautiful moments spent with true friends. Evgenia looks forward to the new year, hoping for more inspiration, achievements, positivity, and wonderful relationships. Above all, she wishes for good health for herself.
Why visit the Oryahovo History Museum?
At the museum, you can explore the archeological heritage of the Oryahovo region, spanning from the Late Stone Age to the Middle Ages. Exhibitions cover the Ottoman and Bulgarian Revival periods as well as early Christian art. You will also learn about traditional rural life and Bulgaria’s transition to a modern urban society. Experience the atmosphere of a typical Oryahovo home from the 1920s and 1930s and delve into the region’s more recent history.
The interactive multimedia exhibition dedicated to textile artist and art professor Marin Varbanov, whose work is renowned on three continents, is a must-see. Your visit will become a real adventure if you try weaving on an authentic loom at the Ethnographic House or practice archery at the Kamaka medieval fortress any Saturday from mid-May to October.
* The Day of the Bulgarian Enlighteners honors the scholars, writers, activists, and revolutionaries who organized education and revived interest in Bulgarian culture and identity in the 19th century. It is a professional holiday for teachers, educators, museum workers, and others dedicated to preserving and promoting Bulgarian heritage.
