Contemporary History Department

 The Contemporary History Department originated in 1963.  Chronologically, it covers the period from 9th September 1944 until the present day.  It is mainly concerned with collecting, studying, systematizing and promoting the history of Vratsa and the Vratsa region during the aforementioned period.  Until the beginning of the 1990s this period was known as “Construction of the Socialist Era”.  In 1980, the Department opened its exhibition which presented the main aspects of the political, economic, social and cultural life of Vratsa and the region through photographs and exhibits.  The exhibition was closed in 1990.

        The curators are mainly concerned with collecting material evidence, doing scientific research, organizing exhibitions and providing methodological support.  Listed underneath are the items that were collected, processed and systematized:
 
       – Data and materials related to the contemporary history of Vratsa region after 9th September 1944 (public, political and cultural life)
       – Information; promotional and other materials and samples of the   production of industrial enterprises and companies in the Vratsa region
       – Memoirs, photographs, personal belongings, and documents of prominent political figures, related to the contemporary history of the Vratsa region
       – Materials from anniversaries of companies, schools, community centers, settlements, persons, etc.

        The main fund of the Contemporary History Department accounts for 20,301 inventory items, and the subsidiary one, 17,914.  It comprises collections and exhibits such as the following:

       – Photographs, documents, personal belongings and memoirs of participants in the Patriotic War from Vratsa and the Vratsa region
       – Badges, orders, medals and jubilee coins
       – Banners, flags, cups and plaquettes
       – Socialist period equipment – radios, tape-recorders, typewriters, etc.
       – Materials related to the history of the Bulgarian youth-brigade movement and the activity of the Fatherland Front and the Bulgarian Communist Party in Vratsa and the region
       – Photographs, documents, printed works, awards and insignia of honor related to the development of industry and agriculture, as well as samples of the production of all the larger enterprises that were running their businesses on the territory of Vratsa and the region until the end of the 1990s
       – Pre-elections campaign materials from the socialist period and the period of democracy
       – Promotional materials for the National Festival of Small Theater    Performances, Botev’s Days, the International Youth Theater Festival “Time”
       – Photographs, documents and promotional materials related to the history of towns and villages, enterprises, personalities, institutions, organizations, schools, etc.

       The scientific and research activity of the specialists in the department extends over the political, economic, cultural and public life of Vratsa and the region.  The curators are authors of leaflets, brochures, scientific articles in various publications.  They also contribute to the compiling of the museum collections.

       The Department does not feature a permanent exhibition, but it centres upon temporary exhibitions, thematically related to anniversaries of towns and villages, enterprises, schools, institutions, organizations and persons.  The Department also hosts and assists with the organization of visiting exhibitions.  It provides methodological support in history to teachers, pupils and students.