Churches over modern art

Bulgarian nationalism is extreme to the point of being funny, says Antoni Georgiev in an an interview with the weekly magazine Kapital: "[The minister without portfolio] Bozhidar Dimitrov, President Georgi Parvanov and their followers hardly miss a chance to be present when it's time to unveil a monument for heroes of the 19th century, kiss the hand of an aged ecclesiastic or move the bones of a Medieval saint to another grave. I get the feeling we honour heroes of the 19th century or saints from the Middle Ages because there's nothing in modern history - especially in connection with Europe - which can enhance our national self-consciousness. In fact it's hilarious how Bulgaria is the only country where churches, chapels and monuments to events that took place 150 years ago are being erected with such zeal. Meanwhile in Sofia there isn't a single museum for modern art."

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