A local referendum in Kazanlak, Bulgaria, aimed at transferring the management of the iconic Buzludzha Monument to the municipality, has failed due to insufficient voter turnout. Despite this, an overwhelming majority of those who participated backed the proposal for municipal oversight of the state-owned structure.
According to the Kazanlak Municipal Election Commission, 93.08% of the votes cast supported the idea of the Kazanlak Municipality taking over the management of the monument.
However, voter participation fell far short of the required threshold of 40%, with only 19.44% of eligible voters casting ballots. Of the 12,074 people who voted, 11,240 supported the proposal, 611 opposed it, and 223 ballots were invalid.
European Funding Hinges on Management Change
The referendum was initiated as part of the municipality’s efforts to secure nearly seven million leva in European funding for the preservation of the Buzludzha Monument, a massive and globally recognized structure atop the Balkan Mountains. However, a key requirement for accessing the funds is for the municipality to manage the property, which is currently under state ownership.
Galina Stoyanova, the mayor of Kazanlak, expressed disappointment over the turnout but remained determined to find a path forward. “The referendum’s result underscores the community’s overwhelming support for local management. We will continue working to preserve this culturally and architecturally significant monument,” Stoyanova said.
She also suggested that a national poll could better address the monument’s future, citing its historical and architectural importance not only in Bulgaria but internationally.
Municipal Council Could Still Act
Though the referendum failed, the Kazanlak Municipal Council retains the authority to independently pursue management of the monument. According to Council Chairman Nikolay Zlatanov, the strong public support reflected in the referendum results could still be a basis for action.
“If the majority of voters were in favor, the council can request that the regional governor transfer the monument’s management to the municipality,” Zlatanov explained. This legal route could provide an alternative means of fulfilling the conditions for European funding and preserving the structure.
A Landmark in Limbo
The Buzludzha Monument, constructed in 1981, is an emblem of Bulgaria’s communist era and is known for its futuristic design. Over the years, it has fallen into disrepair, with its preservation becoming a matter of debate among locals, historians, and preservationists.
The monument’s deteriorating condition has sparked international attention, with some advocating for its restoration as a cultural and historical site, while others question its relevance and funding priorities.
Despite the referendum’s failure, the issue has reignited discussions about the future of the monument and the role of local and national governments in its preservation. For now, the Buzludzha Monument remains in limbo, awaiting a resolution that balances its cultural significance with practical funding and management solutions.
The Kazanlak Municipality’s efforts to secure the monument’s future underscore the broader challenges faced in preserving historical landmarks with contested legacies. Whether through municipal action or national consensus, the fate of Buzludzha continues to hang in the balance.