A proposal for a new monument in Artillery Park has provoked a public reaction

Artillery Park, Stara Zagora

Photo: Emil Enchev

A proposal to place a monument “100 years of the International Inner Wheel” in Artillery Park is one of the items on the agenda of the upcoming municipal session on Thursday.

The idea for this is the two Inner Wheel clubs in the city – “Stara Zagora” and “Beroe”.

According to the application submitted to the Municipality, the conceptual solution is that the composition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the creation of “International Inner Wheel” is “to be made of stone, with a tightly fixed flat image of the symbol of the organization “Inner Wheel” depicting two cogs the wheels”. The conceptual project envisages that they “will be made of metal, with a maximum thickness of two millimeters, a diameter of 45 centimeters, additionally treated against corrosion”.

According to the leader of the group of municipal councilors from PP GERB Emil Hristov, such a monument would not correspond with the exhibits already placed in the park.

“Artillery Park tells about the military glory and history of our country, about our soldier and army. It is somehow strange to put there the emblem of an organization that is not connected with the struggles for national liberation or the Bulgarian army,” says Hristov.

Radio Stara Zagora contacted the chairmen of the two Inner Wheel clubs in the city – “Stara Zagora” and “Beroe”. Both ladies – Svetoslava Pavlova and Diana Gospodinova wished to refrain from commenting on the reasons for choosing Artillery Park to place the monument, until the decision of the Local Parliament is pronounced.

The proposal of the two clubs was also discussed in the Standing Committee on Culture, Tourism and Religions, its chairman Nedko Kuzmanov announced. According to him, it did not meet with approval and understanding and most of the committee members voted “abstain”.

However, if the request of the two Inner Wheel clubs to place a monument related to the 100th anniversary of the creation of “International Inner Wheel” is approved, then this will not be the only sign connecting the organizations to Artillery Park. Over the years, Rotarians have planted a forest , and both clubs planted rose bushes and trees.

“We can put everything, the question is whether it belongs there”, says the leader of the group of municipal councilors of GERB, Emil Hristov. And he makes a proposal to the initiators – there is no memorial sign dedicated to the merciful sister in Bulgaria. However, it can be done here, in Stara Zagora, and on military terrain in the park, Hristov suggests.

The founder of “International Inner Wheel” Margaret Gording, is just a sister of mercy

And what it will be the decision of the Local Parliament, it will become clear on Thursday. Hear more in the report