A new museum has opened in Smolyan. It is arranged in the ancient Hajitchonev House. Both the idea and the execution is credited to the Rhodope Hajduks youth group. The group's mission is to preserve and promote cultural heritage in the region of the Rhodope Mountains. By restoring ancient Bulgarian shrines, paying homage to the heroes who died for the national liberation and popularizing traditional culture the organization seeks to inspire deeper love for the native land and to strengthen the Bulgarian national spirit.

Transforming this ancient house - part of the cultural heritage in the town of Smolyan - into a museum, is a project that testifies to the ambitions of the Rhodope Hajduks. The organization has relied fully on voluntary work and donated materials in the process of the house's restoration. Manol Rouzhinov, chairman of Rhodope Hajduks, says more:

„Two years ago we succeeded in winning the project of Hajitchonev House. We decided to convert it into a museum. It opened this year though the museum collection is still in the making. We were in a hurry to open the site because we need further financing for the full execution of the project. We do not want to compete with the Regional Museum of History in Smolyan, since our focus is the architecture of the house. Unfortunately, such monuments of culture when not maintained properly are often threatened with damage and ultimately, ruin. Today tourists are increasingly interested in the pearls of traditional architecture such as the Hajitchonev House.”

The house was built in 1873on a commission by Lazar Haji Todorov. There is a special commemorative plate above its main entrance that specifies this. Later in time the estate was inherited by Stoyu Hadji Tchonev who used to be a merchant and a senior official. The house assumed historical value after two of Stoyu Hadji Tchonev's sons got involved in the struggles against the Turkish yoke. Hajitchonev House is related to key historical events in the region of the Rhodope Mountains, as well as to culture and education during the time of Turkish rule.”

For a while, the house was the home of the first teacher in the Rhodope Mountains, Konstantin Deunovski, the father of world-famous esoteric Peter Deunov (Benisa Douno). He was the first who alongside with the then-mandatory Greek alphabet dared to teach kids how to read and write in Bulgarian.”

„This year we plan a string of meetings with the mayor of Smolyan Municipality, as well as with institutions engaged in the preservation of Bulgarian history. I think it is unacceptable that such monuments of culture remain locked down and left to ruin. This problem should be resolved as soon as possible, as there are similar cases across Bulgarian towns. We remember what happened to the tobacco warehouses in the city of Plovdiv - even though this city will act as European Capital of Culture in 2019. This is a shame.”

Hajitchonev House has already accommodated lessons in patriotism given to small children and pupils. The Rhodope Hajduks youth group has been collecting and keeping items that will become part of the permanent exhibition of the museum-house. They will do their best to keep Hajitchonev House open for a term of ten years. The group hopes that with the support of all stakeholders and of institutions other such houses will be preserved for posterity.

English Daniela Konstantinova

Photos: private library