Perché invecchiamo più velocemente dei nostri genitori?

On July 2, 2026, Culture Minister Evtim Miloshov announced the removal of the entire Board of Directors of the National Palace of Culture (NDC). This decision came after a series of revelations about the financial state of the organization and the compensation received by its management. The new board members—Iya Petkova-Angelova, Tsvetelina Nikolova, Luchezar Vesov, Boris Pankin, and Ivanka Veselinova—were appointed to serve until a competitive selection process is conducted, but their tenure will not exceed six months. At their first meeting, the newly formed board elected Iya Petkova-Angelova as the executive director. She previously held the position of head of the Strategic Development department at NDC between 2015 and 2020.

The decision to replace the board was made against the backdrop of deteriorating financial conditions at NDC. During a press conference on June 5, 2026, Minister Miloshov revealed that despite the company's losses over recent years, the salaries paid to the board had more than doubled compared to 2024 and nearly tripled compared to 2023. These figures were presented alongside the disclosure that the organization has accumulated a loss of almost 49 million euros. According to the minister, the remuneration for the board members amounted to approximately 103,000 euros in 2023, 157,989 euros in 2024, and 304,534 euros in 2025. Additionally, the salary of the former executive director, Andriyana Petkova-Tatarova, reached 200,681 euros in 2025, which equates to around 13,680 euros per month.

Andriyana Petkova-Tatarova, who was removed from her position as a member of the board on June 25 during a session of the Committee on Culture and Media, expressed her reaction to the media. She stated that she learned of her dismissal from the press and described it as an order. Despite being relieved of her role on the board, she remains legally responsible for any actions taken while serving in that capacity until her name is officially removed from the commercial register by the Agency for Registrations. Furthermore, Miloshov also terminated the contract for managing the company that was signed with Andriyana Petkova-Tatarova.

The changes in leadership have sparked discussions within the organization and among employees regarding the future direction of NDC. Some staff members have called for public debate on the current state of the institution, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, the new board has initiated necessary procedures to update records in the Commercial Register, ensuring all legal formalities are completed.

The restructuring follows a broader effort by the Ministry of Culture to address the financial challenges faced by NDC. Minister Miloshov emphasized that these measures are aimed at restoring stability and improving the operational efficiency of the organization. With the appointment of new board members and an executive director with prior experience in strategic development, there is an expectation that the upcoming period will bring about significant changes in how NDC is managed and operated. The focus now shifts toward implementing reforms and conducting a transparent selection process to determine the long-term leadership structure of the organization.