Donors

With the establishment of a museum at the Pedagogical School in 1897, intensive collecting activities began. Teachers and students formed the first natural history collection (minerals, fossils, seeds). More than 100 ancient coins, jewelry, old handwritten books, manuscripts of Bulgarian figures from the period before the Liberation, ethnographic and archaeological materials were collected. Efrem Karanov was appointed as the museum’s first curator.

The entire Kyustendil community supported the newly established museum, and the first donors soon appeared. Archimandrite Zinoviy Popgeorgiev donated handwritten books and coins; Hieromonk Filothey and the teacher Kiro Popivanov donated manuscripts of Daskal Averkiy; Captain Minkov donated coins; the Dochev brothers donated a collection of seeds and spices; the Kyustendil municipal and city administration donated old books, a marble plaque with an inscription, and a large number of oils, resins, roots, seeds, and others; and the Higher School in Sofia donated a collection of 55 mounted birds and animals to the museum.

In 1907, another museum was established in the newly built modern building of the “Bratstvo” Community Center. Exhibited there were coins from the time of Constantine, Severus, Valentinian, Diocletian, Gordian, Justinian, and others; a votive plaque depicting Zeus and Hera; a votive plaque of Asclepius, Hygieia, and Telesphoros; a head of Asclepius; the Thracian Horseman; a votive plaque of Mithras; parts of statues of Zeus and Hera; marble cornices, capitals, and other archaeological materials. Valuable exhibits also included the “Razhdavishki Collection” consisting of 158 leaves and the “Lenten Triodion” of 50 leaves (13th–14th century).

All these materials formed a solid foundation for the future collecting work of museum specialists over the following decades, leading to the rich museum holdings of today’s Kyustendil Museum, which preserves over one hundred thousand museum items from all historical periods. A major contribution to this invaluable wealth has also been made by hundreds of patriotic citizens of Kyustendil—benefactors and local historians—who have supported the development of museum work in the city through their donations and research.

The staff of the Regional Historical Museum “Acad. Yordan Ivanov” – Kyustendil expresses its gratitude to all donors, whose total number exceeded 800 people by 1997.

DONORS FOR 1997
Krasimir Sashov Nikolov – donated antique items
Orlin Stoykov Yordanov – donated antique items
Nikolay Ventsislavov Nenkov – donated antique items

DONORS FOR 1998
Anani Konstantinov – donated binoculars belonging to Ivan Yanev
Kiril Kosachki – donated photographic materials
Vittorio Kuskevich – donated antique coins
Krasimir Nikolov Sashov – donated antique items
Justinos Simonopetritis and Georgios Golobias – donated scholarly literature
Kiril Velinov Kirov – donated scholarly literature
“Pioner” Ltd. – material support
“Etavia” Company – material support

DONORS FOR 2000
Lyuben Tikvarski – donated personal belongings of Vase Stoychin, participant in the Battle of Bulair (1913)
Galya Chohadzhieva – donated scholarly literature
Neli Sadovska – donated scholarly literature
Ivan Nikolov – donated scholarly literature

DONORS FOR 2001
Embassy of the Swiss Confederation – material support
VMRO, VMRO – Youth Organization – material support
Georgi Velkov – donated documents
“Rilatex” Ltd. – material support
“DIN” Ltd. – material support
“Vesomekhaniki” Ltd. – material support
Lyubomir Kovachev – material support
Valentin Dimitrov Zlatinski – material support
State Archives of the Republic of Macedonia – donated scholarly research and regional studies
Ivan Borisov Bagaliyski – samples of milky quartz, opal, and flint
Henri Couli – donated antique coins
Dimitar Dimitrov – donated antique coins
Stamenko Boyanov Pashov – donated personal belongings, regional studies works, and photographs of Stoyan Yovev
Emil Nikolov Milovanov – donated a photo collection
Pavel Vladimirov Milenov – donated materials related to Milen Vladimirov
Yuliyan Nikolov Kintishev – donated photographic materials related to Todor Angelov Konstantinov
Anani Georgiev Konstantinov – donated documents, photographs, and personal belongings of activists from the Macedonian liberation movement
Anton Radoslavov Antonov – donated personal documents of Konstantin Vasilev

DONORS FOR 2002
Prof. Lyudmila Slokoska – donated scholarly literature
Kristina Isak Melnikova – donated antique coins
Emil Aleksandrov – donated antique coins
Valeri Borisov Atanasov – donated late medieval coins
Georgi Velkov – donated documents related to Dimitar Belokapov
Stamenko Boyanov Pashov – donated belongings of Stamenko Dinov Pashov
Kaluda Ivanova Kiradzhieva – donated materials related to Dimitar Peshev
Radko Vladimirov Kurtev – donated materials related to Vladimir Kurtev
Boris Ivanov Momchilov – donated photographs, letters, and documents related to Ivan Momchilov
Efrosina Georgieva Atanasova – donated materials related to Petar Mihalev
Lilyana Asenova Stefanova – donated materials related to Asen Suichmezov
Association “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” – donated ethnographic materials and scholarly literature
General Directorate of Archives at the Council of Ministers – donated periodicals and individual archival collections (Stoyan Zaimov, Ivan Andonov, and Peyo Yavorov)

DONORS FOR 2003
Ognyan Tsvetkov Georgiev – donated antique materials
Dobrinka Mancheva Haralampieva – donated household items
Pavlinka Vladeva Slavova – donated ethnographic materials
Kiril Velikov Kirov – donated household items
Kaluda Ivanova Kiradzhieva – donated personal materials of Dimitar Peshev
Municipality of Kyustendil – donated an architectural plan of the property of Yosif Peshev (1940)
American Foundation – donated a plaque of Dimitar Peshev
Efrosina Georgieva Atanasova – donated materials related to Petar Mihalev
Ventsislav Lyubenov Matuski – donated documents from the period of World War II
Todorka Andonova Vuchkova – donated Russian medals and badges
Maria Stoyanova Yoveva – donated materials related to Stoyan Yovev
Lyubomir Kalev, Dimitar Kalev and Mladenka Kaleva – donated scholarly literature

DONORS FOR 2004
Orlin Stefanov Rachev – donated antique items
Anatoliy Dimitrov – donated antique items
Vasko L. Stoyanov – donated antique items
Stela Todorova and Dafina Dimitrova – donated antique items
Magda Kirilova Mihaylova – donated ethnographic material
Slavka Hristova Spasova – donated household items
Anka Georgieva Kirova – donated household items
Plamen Dobrinov Bozhkov – donated household items
Vladimir Kostadinov Barakliyski – donated ethnographic material
Zlatka Petkova Atanasova – donated ethnographic material
Ivan Georgiev Milushev – donated household items
Kaluda Kiradzhieva – donated household items
David Avram Alfandari – donated household items
Elka Nikova – donated a plaque from the monument of Todor Aleksandrov
Pande Evtimov – donated photographs and a memorial plaque of Mara Buneva
Stoil Georgiev Shuplikov – donated a memorial item and photographic material
Todor Tarakov – donated a memorial item
Dobrinka Lyubenova Nikolova – donated household items and scholarly literature
Slavcho Kostadinov Serafimov – donated household items and scholarly literature

DONORS FOR 2005
Gergina Stefanova Aleksieva – donated ethnographic material
Svetozar Stoynev Nachev – donated photographic material

DONORS FOR 2006
Krasimir Sashov Nikolov – donated numismatic material
Georgi Velkov – donated ethnographic material
Yordan Georgiev Samovolski – donated ethnographic material
Maria Borisova Dzhumalieva – donated ethnographic material
Stamenko Pashov – donated documents of the Pashov family from the village of Izvor
Georgi Mirchev Yanchovski – donated materials related to Lyudmil Yankov and photographic material
Angel Velinov – donated materials related to Col. Hristo Stoyanov

DONORS FOR 2007
Georgi Draganov Georgiev – donated household items
Yordan Iliev – donated antique coins
Angel Vladimirov Kortenski – donated documents, photographs, and coins
Maria Dzhumalieva – donated items related to the Cycling Society in Kyustendil
Georgi Stoimenov Milushev – donated a military uniform, orders, and medals
Georgi Mirchev Yanchovski – donated photographic materials and household items
Angel Ivanov Bersinski – donated a portrait of Tsar Boris and Tsarina Yoanna
Milena Spasova Hristova – donated ethnographic material
Hristinka Radoslavova Dimitrova – donated ethnographic material
Dobrinka Mancheva Haralampieva – donated ethnographic material
Spasuna Manoilova – donated ethnographic material
Radka Demireva – donated ethnographic material
Stanislav Borisov Bozhankov – donated drawings and graphic works

DONORS FOR 2008
Dencho Mitov – donated photographic material
Gancho Kirilov Angelov – donated a photo portrait of Mone Ivanov
Georgi Mirchev Yangyovski – donated materials related to Atanas Padalski
Snezhana Emanuilova Aleksieva – donated materials related to Rayna Tsaneva
Stoyanka Dimitrova Naydenova – donated ethnographic material
Verka Nikolova Georgieva – donated ethnographic material
Hristo Ivanov Vatev – donated ethnographic material
Ekaterina Dimitrova Ivanova – donated ethnographic material
Veneta Genadieva Nikolova – donated ethnographic material

DONORS FOR 2009
Nicole Dequanter – donated Eneolithic artifacts
Rumen Ventsislavov Manov – donated the flag of the Bitola Mixed High School “Ivan Vazov,” documents, and photographic materials
Tsocho Simeonov Krastev – donated ethnographic material
Ivo Sapundzhiev – donated military materials
Nikola Stoilov Yordanov – donated antique coins
Vesela Stoimenova Stoimenova – donated antique coins
Ventsislav Lozanov Filipov – donated a “Continental” typewriter, produced in 1923
Rumyanka Ivanova Dzhoneva – donated documents
Ivanka Todorova Teodosieva – donated ethnographic material
Vasil Eftimov Mladenov – donated ethnographic material

DONORS FOR 2010
Rumen Ventsislavov Manov – donated seals of the “Bulair” and “San Stefano Bulgaria” societies, of the Kyustendil People’s Militia, and a Diploma for Honorary Citizen of Kyustendil awarded to the volunteer Konstantin Chesnovski
Milkana Grigorova Zaharieva – donated a folder with sketches, drawings, and maps by Nikola Zahariev (1949–1951), and ethnographic material

DONORS FOR 2011
Assoc. Prof. Zheko Popov – donated books containing scholarly and regional studies
Rumen Ventsislavov Manov – donated materials and documents for the Modern and Contemporary History Department
“GLAVBOLGARSTROY HOLDING” JSC – donated funds for archaeological research

Vasilka Katsarova – donated a necklace
Andres Osorio – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Jonathan Rosen – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Dr. Constantin A. Marinescu – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Fortuna Fine Arts Inc., New York – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Mr. David Vagi – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Mr. Alan Safani – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Harlan J. Berk Inc., Chicago – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Vocational High School of Woodworking and Forestry “G. S. Rakovski” – Kyustendil – donated sculptural works

Milcho Stoimenov – donated materials for the Archaeology Department
Stambolka Peneva – donated materials for the Modern and Contemporary History Department
Raycho Stoev – donated materials for the Modern and Contemporary History Department
Ivan Sapundzhiev – donated materials for the Modern and Contemporary History Department
Emil Buhovski – donated books containing scholarly and regional studies
Maria Zaharieva – donated books containing scholarly and regional studies
Spas Tashev – donated books containing scholarly and regional studies
Dr. Ventseslav Arakchiev – donated books containing scholarly and regional studies
Svetla Rakshieva – donated books containing scholarly and regional studies
Ivanichka Georgieva – donated books containing scholarly and regional studies

DONORS FOR 2012
Kiril Ivanov Grancharov – donated an antique coin
Georgi Mirchev Mirchev – donated an inkwell of Prof. Nikola Mirchev, a miner’s lamp, and ethnographic material
Kaludka Kiradzhieva – donated materials that belonged to Dimitar Peshev
“GBS – Infrastructure Construction” JSC – donated funds for archaeological research

DONORS FOR 2013
Maya Stefanova – donated personal belongings of Asen Suichmezov
Boris Momchilov – donated a photograph and memoirs of Ivan Momchilov
Vasil Mladenov – donated materials related to the liberation movement of the Bulgarians from Macedonia and the history of Kyustendil
Assoc. Prof. Zheko Popov – donated books and manuscript materials
Dr. Lyudmila Ruseva-Slokoska – donated manuscript materials from field research in Kyustendil, personal studies and analyses
Elena Boyanova – donated ethnographic material
Zdravka Bogomilova Livadiyska – donated ethnographic material
Tsvetanka Ilieva Yakimova – donated ethnographic material
Ivan Georgiev Sapundzhiev – donated photographic material for the Modern and Contemporary History Department
Nikola Georgiev – donated a regional study of the village of Mala Fucha and original works of art
Emil Buhovski – donated popular and fiction literature
Konstantin Yanchev Kostadinov – donated the writing desk of Kostadin Georgiev, Regional Governor of Kyustendil in 1944
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mihail Gruev – donated a bedroom set for the Ethnography Collection

DONORS FOR 2014
Rumen Ventsislavov Manov – donated a chalice, a prehistoric stone axe, a late medieval spearhead, a 19th-century Book of Hours, maps, letters by Beckerle, materials of Aleksandar Malinov (invitation and railway travel card), various objects, documents, manuscripts, a newspaper collection reflecting the death and funeral of Tsar Boris III, a chest ornament, reports, letters, and photographs
Milena Kanchova Vasileva – donated ethnographic material
Maria Voskis-Runkevich – donated belongings and photographs of Vladimir Kurtev
Despina Malakov – donated books from the late 19th and early 20th century
Mariyanka Harizanova – donated books from the first half of the 20th century
Aleksandar Boyanov Zahariеv – donated photographic material
Bulgarian Association of Families from Macedonia – donated books on Bulgarian historical topics
Yordan Metodiev Stanchev – donated materials related to the “Ilyo Voyvoda” factory
Hristinka Radoslavova Dimitrova – donated ethnographic material

DONORS FOR 2015
Asen Milchev – donated ethnographic materials collected by the sisters Hristina and Mila Milchevi
Kaloyan Ivanov Stoynev – donated an antique coin
Hristina Metodieva Kerelska – donated numismatic material
Rumen Ventsislavov Manov – donated foreign art objects, icons, ethnographic jewelry, church utensils, photographs, documents, and items related to modern Bulgarian history
Stoyne Petrov Petrov – donated materials for the Modern and Contemporary History Department – orders, badges, medals, plaques, certificates, documents
Anton Kirilov Spasov – donated a book on the history of the village of Lozno (Kyustendil region) by Kiril Andonov Spasov
Anton Ognyanov Stoyanov – donated natural leather as material for museum educational activities with children
Svetoslav Diamandiev – donated books
Violeta Asenova Vaseva – donated ethnographic material
Rayna Krumova Ochipalska – donated ethnographic material
Ivan Vladimirov Iliev – donated ethnographic material
Sava Ilieva Simeonova – donated ethnographic material
Lilyana Kutsarova – donated the Second Copy (facsimile edition of “Slav-Bulgarian History,” 1831)

DONORS FOR 2016
Svetoslav Diamandiev – donated books for the Research Library
Rumen Ventsislavov Manov – donated foreign art objects, materials, and documents for the Modern and Contemporary History Department
Rayka Todorova Kukova – donated ethnographic material
Maya Vasilkova Rafailova – donated ethnographic material
Hristina Dimitrova Granitska – donated ethnographic material
Violeta Dimitrova Simeonova, mayoral deputy of the village of Tsarvenyano – donated a school desk from the village school
Tonche Mirchev Nenov – donated a wooden soldier’s trunk
Assoc. Prof. Georgi Nikolov – donated scholarly books published by Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
Milka Velinova – donated a baking lid (vrashnik)
Anton Ognyanov Stoyanov – donated a handmade foot-powered pottery wheel
Tsvetanka Bliznakova – donated an author’s book
Vladimir Kostadinov Barakliyski – donated ethnographic material
Anani Georgiev Konstantinov – donated items from Modern Bulgarian History

DONORS FOR 2017
Dimcho Zanev – donated baskets (personal production) and natural leather for traditional footwear (tsarvuli)
Chavdar Zhekov Popov – donated personal documents of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zheko Popov and Rayna Popova, and scholarly literature
“Hephaestus – 2001” Ltd. – donated a handmade metal cylinder for magnetic puzzles
Elena Metodieva Boyadzhieva – donated an icon of the Holy Virgin with the Child and the Holy Apostles
Yuriy Ivanov Aleksandrov-Yunishev – donated author’s books
Rumen Ventsislavov Manov – donated foreign art objects, materials and documents for the Modern and Contemporary History Department, a medieval manuscript, prehistoric stone tools, and the author’s book “A Tale of Bulgaria,” Second Edition (2017)
Historical Museum – Samokov – donated the book “Golden Spring” by Maria Yoncheva
Neil Goldstein Glick – donated materials for Contemporary History
Marina Dimitrova Zlateva-Popova – donated ethnographic material
Evgeni Simeonov Serafimov – donated a marble slab (Ottoman period) with inscription, fragment reused in the construction of a house at 13 Mihail Shishman Street
Raycho Milev Stoev – donated author’s regional history books
Eng. Kiril Borisov Mitov, Chairman of TPKI “Rodina” – donated a printing press, “Josef Anger & Söhne” – Maschinenfabrik & Eisengiesserei, 1903
Lilyana Miteva – donated books for the Research Library

DONORS FOR 2018

Mariyanka Krumova Harizanova – donated books for the Research Library
Rumen Ventsislavov Manov – donated foreign art objects, materials and documents for the Modern and Contemporary History Department, antique vessels, flint tools
Todor Dimitrov Borisov – donated copies of photographs of Tsar Boris III and his family
Verginiya Stoichkova Koleva – donated the book “The War for the Liberation of Bulgaria. Memorial Book of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878” in two parts, Sofia, 1883
Tsvetanka Slavova Bliznakova – donated the Order of Bravery (1915) awarded to Slave Dimov Despodov
Yordan Petrov Atanasov – donated a blacksmith’s bellows belonging to Dimitar Grigorov Yanev from the village of Gorno Uyno, Kyustendil region
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Angel Dzhonev – donated household items, Modern History
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ekaterina Keremidarska – donated books for the Research Library
Chief Assist. Prof. Dr. Svetoslava Filipova – donated books for the Research Library
Prof. Dr. Ivan Gavrilov – donated books for the Research Library, a portrait reproduction of Vasil Levski by Stavri Kalinov, and a replica sword of Khan Kubrat
Assoc. Prof. Zheko Popov – donated books containing scholarly and regional studies
Rumen Ventsislavov Manov – donated materials and documents for the Modern and Contemporary History Department
“GLAVBOLGARSTROY HOLDING” JSC – donated funds for archaeological research

Vasilka Katsarova – donated a necklace

Andres Osorio – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Jonathan Rosen – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Dr. Constantin A. Marinescu – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Fortuna Fine Arts Inc., New York – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Mr. David Vagi – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Mr. Alan Safani – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume
Harlan J. Berk Inc., Chicago – donated funds for the publication of a collected volume

Vocational High School of Woodworking and Forestry “G. S. Rakovski” – Kyustendil – donated sculptural works

DONORS FOR 2019

Rumen Manov – donated photographic and printed materials, archaeological artifacts
Vasil Mladenov – donated items of clothing and photographic material
Prof. DSc Vera Boneva – donated the Income and Expenditure Ledger of the Kyustendil State Lower School of Fruit Growing and Viticulture
Stefka Mihaylova – donated an author’s book
Valka Kyumyureva – donated ethnographic materials
Association “Center for Non-Formal Education and Cultural Activities – Alos” – donated printed educational materials

DONORS FOR 2020

Boyko Nedyalkov, Director of “Torgoterm” JSC – donated historical literature
Dafinka Ivanova – donated a winnowing machine from the village of Bogosolov (1911)
Association “Haiduti” – donated a reconstructed traditional costume of Ilyo Voyvoda
Emiliya Tsvetkova-Nikolova – donated ethnographic materials, books, and items from Modern and Contemporary History
Ivanka Dimitrova – donated coins from the first half of the 20th century

DONORS FOR 2021

Construction Company Rila Ltd. – donated a wooden railing for the Ilyo Voyvoda House Museum
Bogomil Georgiev – donated 50 BGN
Emil Angelov – donated a coin of Tsar Boris III
Liliya Koleva – donated Bulgarian commemorative coins and banknotes
Mariana Gyoken – donated men’s and women’s formal clothing from the second half of the 20th century

DONORS FOR 2022

Maria Petkova – donated three copies of the facsimile edition of “The Structure of Life” by Nikola Zografov
Katinka Hristova – donated a woven woolen rug (kitenik), 1960s
Ilya Prokopov – donated a computer configuration
Simona Simeonova – donated books on the history of Kyustendil

DONORS FOR 2023

Vasil Stoyanov – donated books from the mid-20th century: ethnographic materials from Graovo and a Gospel edition
Valentina Dimitrova – donated a family chronicle of the Milenov family from the Korneys neighborhood
Evgeni Chiflichki and Georgi Hristov – donated a winnowing machine (1938)
Anonymous monetary donation of 1,500 BGN for the Museum Complex “St. George” with the 11th-century medieval church of the same name
Biser Sandev – donated a manual knitting machine with silk and cotton threads from the village of Gramazhdano, Kyustendil region
Association for Sports Rehabilitation, Poznań, Poland – donated a set of balls for the Paralympic sport of boccia
Sandyo Beshev – donated books on mountaineering in Bulgaria