Title: Bulgaria‘s Culture Minister Admits: Ministry Chief’s Role in Theater Scandal yet to be Investigated
Minister of Culture, Nayden Todorov, revealed an unexpected twist in the ongoing theater scandal, stating that one key official has not yet been investigated. This individual, Iлko Ganev, is the deputy minister responsible for theaters. Todorov made this admission last week.
"I wrote to Minister[[[[Kiril Petkov]that everything else is being checked, but not the activities of the deputy minister," Todorov told bTV. "The report did not contain anything about him, but sooner or later this check will happen," the minister added.
Todorov clarified that Ganev was appointed by the Prime Minister and is not part of his team. He also hinted that a probe into Ganev’s role might commence soon.
The halfway point of the theater scandal is marked by the revelation that 5 million BGN is owed to the theaters. Todorov confirmed that payments have started, using the January budget. He echoed Premier Dimitar Glavchev‘s assurance that the issue would be resolved promptly.
The Union of Bulgarian Artists (UBA) had warned recently about theaters facing darkness and cold due to delayed payments. Todorov dismissed these claims, stating, "It’s not like that. We checked specifically [after the submission]. If the situation is so dramatic, why are they reacting only now?"
Todorov suggested that the problem might lie with communication, noting that he and Ganev have not spoken in months. He also revealed that UBA’s chairman, Khristo Mutafchiev, is a close friend of Ganev, raising further questions about potential conflicts of interest.
In the broader context of theater funding, Todorov acknowledged that the Ministry of Culture‘s budget for the performing arts is always insufficient. He proposed a reformation where theaters would know their annual budget at the beginning of the year, preventing overspending and ensuring timely payments.
Meanwhile, the Bulgarian National Bureau of Investigations (BNN) continues its probe into the embezzlement of over 2 million BGN through fake appointments. Approximately 400,000 BGN has been returned, with the remainder still outstanding. The recovered funds will reportedly be funneled back into the state budget.
