ADDED: Lovech keeps personal memories, documents and photos of the flight of the first Bulgarian cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov

The flight of the first Bulgarian cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov and his connection with his hometown were told by representatives of institutions and students at the National Press Club of BTA in Lovech on the occasion of the presentation of the April issue of LIK magazine – “The Bulgarian Trace in Space”, dedicated to 45 years of the flight of a Bulgarian in Space.
The regional governor Viktor Stoychev was a guest. Gancho Ganev from the Regional History Museum – Lovech, Pavlina Petrova from the “State Archive” department – Lovech, and Yuliana Tsaneva from “Prof. Benyu Tsonev” Regional Library. Also present were students from “Vasil Levski” primary school, with class teacher Stanka Duleva, who were guests at Georgi Ivanov’s home a few weeks ago.
“From the point of view of the present time, when the world is much further ahead in its development, we see that the achievement 45 years ago was great, great for the Bulgarian nation. Having a man in space is something that seems slightly imaginary to us now, but then it was achieved. We have goals to set for ourselves – not only in the field of desires of today’s children who want to become cosmonauts, but also in the field of science, where Bulgarian space food receives recognition, where Bulgarian science reaches world heights”, said the regional governor Viktor Stoychev.
Pavlina Petrova, head of the “State Archives” department – Lovech, said that the institution keeps a collection of documents and photos with the first Bulgarian cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov. It was formed and registered in 2014 on the occasion of the celebration of the 35th anniversary of Georgi Ivanov’s flight.
The documents included in the collection cover the period from 1978 to 2014 and are systematized in 50 archival units. The main part is publications in the local press and in national periodicals. These documents were provided by Georgi Ivanov’s cousin – Elena Georgieva. Most of the publications were issued immediately before and after the event within a few days. “In addition to providing interesting information, curious facts and details about the flight of the spaceship itself, they also reflect the excitement and pride of Bulgarian citizens that our compatriot has reached cosmic heights and that a small country like Bulgaria ranks in the family of space countries “said Petrova.
The collection also includes photographs of Georgi Ivanov and Nikolai Rukavishnikov with their autograph, of the native house of the Bulgarian cosmonaut, of his parents and relatives, as well as of his visits to Lovech on various occasions. Photographic material with him is also contained in the personal funds of hunting public figures, cultural figures and managers who had the opportunity to be photographed with him, Pavlina Petrova also pointed out.
Georgi Ivanov’s class teacher, Tsvetanka Sapundjieva, has also provided documents and photos to the State Archives. She was a member of the delegation at the invitation of the Soviet Embassy in Bulgaria at the reception of the cosmonaut on April 25, 1979 in Moscow.
The state archive in Lovech also keeps many congratulatory telegrams from various institutions and government organizations. The decision of the Municipal People’s Council – Lovech, dated April 29, 1979, by which Georgi Ivanov and Nikolay Rukavishnikov were awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Lovech”, Petrova added.
According to the curator Gancho Ganev, in the funds of the Regional History Museum – Lovech, a national flag is kept, which is recorded in the inventory book as having flown on the ship “Soyuz-33”. It bears the signatures of Nikolay Rukavishnikov and Georgi Ivanov. The museum also keeps the personal file of the hunters, as well as objects made by students and dedicated to the flight.
“A lot of photos are kept, thus preserving the enthusiasm and joy of the Bulgarians from the flight. When Georgi Ivanov returns, he is not greeted as a hero, but as a star, because he elevates Bulgaria as the sixth space country in the world. Our country is also the third in the world to make space food,” Ganev said.
Yuliana Tsaneva, director of the regional library “Prof. Benyu Tsonev”, told about the exhibition and bibliography that the cultural institution prepared on the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of the State Aircraft Factory in Lovech.
“During the period when the decision was made to build the State Aircraft Factory, its construction and the production process began, Lovech recorded growth,” Tsaneva said.
She said that the factory and production in it create conditions for children’s dreams to come true. “That’s what happened to Georgi Ivanov, because in 1946 in Lovech organized air sports began in the form of the Chaika Air Sports Association.” In 1947, the company was transformed into an aero club, and the following year it expanded its activities, passing under the leadership of the People’s Union for Sports and Technology. Then the first parachuting courses begin. In 1952, the first non-motorized aircraft was delivered to Lovech, fighter pilot lieutenant Georgi Yanev was appointed as the head of the aero club. Training takes place on the large lawns of the State Aircraft Factory. Georgi Ivanov is among the course participants. His parachuting instructor was Penka Nedyalkova,” Tsaneva added.
Guests of the National Press Club of BTA in Lovech were also the fourth graders from “Vasil Levski” primary school with class teacher Stanka Duleva, who were guests at Georgi Ivanov’s home a few weeks ago.
Two years ago, in the interest activities, we worked for a whole month on the Cosmonaut mission. The children made spacesuits, we studied who the cosmonauts are, how they feel in space. We spontaneously decided to write him a letter for Christmas,” Duleva pointed out and said that they have been communicating with the cosmonaut for two years now, and for his birthday they planted a flower in the garden of his native home. He answered them with cards, and invited them to a meeting. That’s how they managed to see him.
Maria Ieremiev pointed out that they were very excited by the meeting with Georgi Ivanov. “Meeting the first Bulgarian cosmonaut is like a dream come true,” she said.
“The sky is very nice, I want to go around the Earth and go to the moon,” said fourth-grader Rostislav Ivanov. Together with them were also Margaret Ilieva, Preslav Petrov, Emilia Andreeva and Mihail Stoyanov.