'''Dimitrovgrad''' ({{lang-bg|Димитровград}} {{IPA|bg|diˈmitrovˌɡrat|}}) is a [[List of cities and towns in Bulgaria|town]] in [[Haskovo Province]], [[Bulgaria]]. It is along the [[Maritsa River]] in the [[Thrace]] region, close to the provincial capital, [[Haskovo]]. Dimitrovgrad is the [[administrative centre]] of [[Dimitrovgrad Municipality, Bulgaria|Dimitrovgrad Municipality]].<ref name="statistika">{{in lang|en}} [http://www.nsi.bg/otrasalen.php?otr=53&a1=1583&a2=1584&a3=1588#cont Bulgarian National Statistical Institute - towns in 2009] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113165731/http://www.nsi.bg/otrasalen.php?otr=53&a1=1583&a2=1584&a3=1588#cont |date=November 13, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="population">{{in lang|en}} [http://www.citypopulation.de/Bulgaria-Cities.html „WorldCityPopulation“]</ref><ref name="pop-stat">[http://pop-stat.mashke.org/bulgaria-cities.htm България / Bălgarija] pop-stat.mashke.org</ref>
'''Dimitrovgrad''' ({{lang-bg|Димитровград}} {{IPA-bg|diˈmitrovˌɡrat|}}) is a [[List of cities and towns in Bulgaria|town]] in [[Haskovo Province]], [[Bulgaria]]. It is along the [[Maritsa River]] in the [[Thrace]] region, close to the provincial capital, [[Haskovo]]. Dimitrovgrad had a population of 38,015 (2011) and is the [[administrative centre]] of [[Dimitrovgrad Municipality, Bulgaria|Dimitrovgrad Municipality]].<ref name="statistika">{{in lang|en}} [http://www.nsi.bg/otrasalen.php?otr=53&a1=1583&a2=1584&a3=1588#cont Bulgarian National Statistical Institute - towns in 2009] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113165731/http://www.nsi.bg/otrasalen.php?otr=53&a1=1583&a2=1584&a3=1588#cont |date=November 13, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="population">{{in lang|en}} [http://www.citypopulation.de/Bulgaria-Cities.html „WorldCityPopulation“]</ref><ref name="pop-stat">[http://pop-stat.mashke.org/bulgaria-cities.htm „pop-stat.mashke.org“]</ref>
Founded in 1947, Dimitrovgrad is a [[planned city]] built by the [[People's Republic of Bulgaria]] following [[World War II]]. The recently established [[communist]] government designed the town as a [[Urban planning in communist countries|socialist model city]] and a modern [[industrial center]]. Dimitrovgrad is named for the first communist leader of Bulgaria, [[Georgi Dimitrov]].
Founded in 1947, Dimitrovgrad is a [[planned city]] built by the [[People's Republic of Bulgaria]] following [[World War II]]. The recently established [[communist]] government designed the town as a [[Urban planning in communist countries|socialist model city]] and a modern [[industrial center]]. Dimitrovgrad is named for the first communist leader of Bulgaria, [[Georgi Dimitrov]].
== Geography ==
It is located 220 km from the capital [[Sofia]] and 15 km from the regional town of [[Haskovo]]. The nearest Bulgarian port is [[Burgas]] - 205 km, and the Greek port of [[Alexandroupoli]] on the Aegean Sea is about 190 km. through [[Makaza]]. Dimitrovgrad is a transport hub for [[Pan-European corridors]] [[Pan-European Corridor IV|4]], [[Pan-European Corridor VIII|8]] and [[Pan-European Corridor IX|9]].
==History==
==History==
Dimitrovgrad was planned by the [[People's Republic of Bulgaria]], the [[communist state]] that came to power following [[World War II]].
Dimitrovgrad was planned by the [[People's Republic of Bulgaria]], the [[communist state]] that came to power following [[World War II]].{{cn|date=January 2024}}
Construction of the city began on May 10, 1947, with most of the labor provided by youth volunteers who arrived from around Bulgaria. The establishment of Dimitrovgrad was officially announced on 2 September 1947, by [[Georgi Dimitrov]], the leader of the People's Republic of Bulgaria. The three villages of Rakovski, Mariyno and Chernokonyovo were merged to form Dimitrovgrad. Construction of the town continued intensively for several more years.
Construction of the city began on May 10, 1947, with most of the labor provided by youth volunteers who arrived from around Bulgaria. The establishment of Dimitrovgrad was officially announced on 2 September 1947, by [[Georgi Dimitrov]], the leader of the People's Republic of Bulgaria. The three villages of Rakovski, Mariyno and Chernokonyovo were merged to form Dimitrovgrad. Construction of the town continued intensively for several more years.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
The main practical reason behind the new city was to create a modern industrial centre for Bulgaria. there was also an ideological foundation for building it. The widespread destruction in [[Eastern Europe]] caused by World War II and the rise of [[Soviet]]-backed communist states in the region (known as the [[Eastern Bloc]]) led to numerous cities being built or rebuilt using new [[Urban planning in communist countries|socialist planning styles]]. The original buildings in Dimitrovgrad were built in architectural styles popularly known as "Soviet Empire" or "[[Stalin]] [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]]", with [[facade]]s of the earliest often monumental, with [[plinths]], large [[columns]] and small decorative [[balconies]]. Over time, as the town expanded, buildings were built featuring less [[ornament (art)|ornament]]ation in the newer [[Modernist architecture|Modernist]] architectural style.
The main practical reason behind the new city was to create a modern industrial centre for Bulgaria. there was also an ideological foundation for building it. The widespread destruction in [[Eastern Europe]] caused by World War II and the rise of [[Soviet]]-backed communist states in the region (known as the [[Eastern Bloc]]) led to numerous cities being built or rebuilt using new [[Urban planning in communist countries|socialist planning styles]]. The original buildings in Dimitrovgrad were built in architectural styles popularly known as "Soviet Empire" or "[[Stalin]] [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]]", with [[facade]]s of the earliest often monumental, with [[plinths]], large [[columns]] and small decorative [[balconies]]. Over time, as the town expanded, buildings were built featuring less [[ornament (art)|ornament]]ation in the newer [[Modernist architecture|Modernist]] architectural style.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
In 1970, the first celebration of the national [[poetry]] festival 'Penio Penev' took place, and that tradition continues to the present. In 1980, the biennial Bulgarian theatrical poster was held for the first time. In 1987, the museum house Penio Penev was opened.
In 1970, the first celebration of the national [[poetry]] festival 'Penio Penev' took place, and that tradition continues to the present. In 1980, the biennial Bulgarian theatrical poster was held for the first time. In 1987, the museum house Penio Penev was opened.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
In 1992, shortly after the [[collapse of communism]] in Bulgaria, the monument to Georgi Dimitrov was removed by the authorities. This move proved very unpopular with the local residents, and in 2012 a plan was adopted by Dimitrovgrad city council to restore the statue and re-mount it by 2013.<ref name="restoration">{{cite web | title=Димитровград връща паметника на патрона си в алея на социзкуството | website=Dnevnik | date=29 June 2012 | url=https://www.dnevnik.bg/bulgaria/2012/06/29/1856367_dimitrovgrad_vrushta_pametnika_na_patrona_si_v_aleia/ | language=bg | access-date=3 January 2024}}</ref> So far this has not happened.
[[File:Dimitrovgrad-sadebna palata.jpg|thumb|left|260px|The Courts of Justice in Dimitrovgrad.]]
In 1992, shortly after the [[collapse of communism]] in Bulgaria, the monument to Georgi Dimitrov was removed by the authorities. This move proved very unpopular with the local residents, and in 2012 a plan was adopted by Dimitrovgrad city council to restore the statue and re-mount it by 2013.<ref name="restoration">{{inlang|bg}}http://www.dnevnik.bg/bulgaria/2012/06/29/1856367_dimitrovgrad_vrushta_pametnika_na_patrona_si_v_aleia -RestorationoftheGeorgiDimitrov monument in Dimitrovgrad]</ref> So far this has not happened.
Architecture in Dimitrovgrad is similar to that of the Roman Empire: It has spacious streets and large parks. It is one of the greenest cities in Bulgaria. There are three large parks with about 15 lakes, dozens of species of rare trees, shrubs and flowers, sculptures, gazebos and fountains.
Architecture in Dimitrovgrad is similar to that of the Roman Empire: It has spacious streets and large parks. It is one of the greenest cities in Bulgaria. There are three large parks with about 15 lakes, dozens of species of rare trees, shrubs and flowers, sculptures, gazebos and fountains. The town is also home to the People's Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium "Jordano Bruno".<ref>[https://www.naopjbruno.bg/?page_id=121&lang=en People's Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium "Jordano Bruno"] naopjbruno.bg</ref> This is the first planetarium and second observatory (after the one in [[Stara Zagora]]) in Bulgaria <ref name='darik'>{{cite web | title=Любопитната история на първия планетариум на Балканския полуостров (СНИМКИ) | website=dariknews.bg | date=14 October 2020 | url=https://dariknews.bg/novini/bylgariia/liubopitnata-istoriia-na-pyrviia-planetarium-na-balkanskiia-poluostrov-snimki-2244249 | language=bg | access-date=3 January 2024}}</ref>
== Population ==
== Population ==
The population of Dimitrovgrad during the first decade after its foundation averaged about 34,000.<ref name="pop-stat"/> In the following decades it started growing, mostly because of migrants from rural areas, reaching its peak between 1985 and 1992, when it exceeded 50,000.<ref name="population"/> Since then, particularly during the 1990s, the population declined rapidly due to the poor economic situation in the region that lead to a new migration to the country's capital [[Sofia]] and abroad.
The population of Dimitrovgrad during the first decade after its foundation averaged about 34,000.<ref name="pop-stat"/> In the following decades it started growing, mostly because of migrants from rural areas, reaching its peak between 1985 and 1992, when it exceeded 50,000.<ref name="population"/> Since then, particularly during the 1990s, the population declined rapidly due to the poor economic situation in the region that lead to a new migration to the country's capital [[Sofia]] and abroad.
== Notable people ==
<!--THIS TABLE IS STANDARD TO ALL BULGARIAN CITIES ARTICLES. PLEASE LEAVE -->
* [[File:Rumen Radev official portrait (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Rumen Radev]]]][[Atanas Kapralov]], poet
{{Table BG town population
| city = Dimitrovgrad
| 1887 = ---
| 1910 = ---
| 1934 = ---
| 1946 = ---
| 1956 = 34,162
| 1965 = 41,816
| 1975 = 45,595
| 1985 = 53,804
| 1992 = 50,677
| 2001 = 45,918
| 2005 = 42,840
| 2007 = 42,372
| 2009 = 41,810
| ref 1 = <ref name="statistika"/>
| ref 2 = <ref name="population"/>
| ref 3 = <ref name="pop-stat"/>
| ref 4 = <ref name="BAN">{{in lang|bg}} [http://www.geography.iit.bas.bg/2009/1-09/13-17.pdf Bulgarian Academy of Sciences] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706142758/http://www.geography.iit.bas.bg/2009/1-09/13-17.pdf |date=July 6, 2011 }}</ref>
}}
== Celebrities ==
; Celebrities Born in Dimitrovgrad
* [[Atanas Kapralov]], poet
* [[Nadezhda Aleksieva]] (b. 1969), biathlete
* [[Nadezhda Aleksieva]] (b. 1969), biathlete
* [[Krassimira Banova]], basketball player, European champion
* [[Krassimira Banova]], basketball player, European champion
Line 89:
Line 65:
* [[Vasil Gyuzelev]], professor, historian
* [[Vasil Gyuzelev]], professor, historian
* [[Joanna Kristeva]], author, psychologist
* [[Joanna Kristeva]], author, psychologist
* [[Emil Dimitrov]], football player
* [[Doncho Donev]], football player
* [[Doncho Donev]], football player
* [[Found Klinchev]], musician
* [[Found Klinchev]], musician
* [[Mihail Neychev - Dr. Artik]], DJ and producer, entertainer, artist and public figure
* [[Vanya Kostova]], singer
* [[Vanya Kostova]], singer
* [[Duet Mania]], singers
* [[Duet Mania]], singers
Line 104:
Line 78:
* [[Petko Churchuliev]], artist
* [[Petko Churchuliev]], artist
*[[Gergana (Bulgarian singer)|Gergana]], Bulgarian pop-folk singer
*[[Gergana (Bulgarian singer)|Gergana]], Bulgarian pop-folk singer
*[[Vladislav Panev]], politician and economist
; Celebrities who died in Dimitrovgrad
* [[Penyo Penev (poet)|Penyo Penev]], poet
; Celebrities who lived in Dimitrovgrad
* [[Boris Valkanov]], composer, conductor, music pedagogue, honorary citizen of Dimitrovgrad
* [[Petar Zhekov]], football player, winner of "[[European Golden Shoe|Golden Shoe]]"
* [[Apostle Karamitev]], actor
* [[Asen Kraishnikov]], artist
* [[Ivan Slavchev]], civil engineer, inventor, winner of the Dimitrov Prize for 1952, Winner of the Honorary Badge 1st degree of the GNS of Dimitrovgrad since 1967.
==Twin towns – sister cities==
==Twin towns – sister cities==
Latest revision as of 16:21, 1 September 2024
For other places with the same name, see Dimitrovgrad.
It is located 220 km from the capital Sofia and 15 km from the regional town of Haskovo. The nearest Bulgarian port is Burgas - 205 km, and the Greek port of Alexandroupoli on the Aegean Sea is about 190 km. through Makaza. Dimitrovgrad is a transport hub for Pan-European corridors4, 8 and 9.
Construction of the city began on May 10, 1947, with most of the labor provided by youth volunteers who arrived from around Bulgaria. The establishment of Dimitrovgrad was officially announced on 2 September 1947, by Georgi Dimitrov, the leader of the People's Republic of Bulgaria. The three villages of Rakovski, Mariyno and Chernokonyovo were merged to form Dimitrovgrad. Construction of the town continued intensively for several more years.[citation needed]
The main practical reason behind the new city was to create a modern industrial centre for Bulgaria. there was also an ideological foundation for building it. The widespread destruction in Eastern Europe caused by World War II and the rise of Soviet-backed communist states in the region (known as the Eastern Bloc) led to numerous cities being built or rebuilt using new socialist planning styles. The original buildings in Dimitrovgrad were built in architectural styles popularly known as "Soviet Empire" or "StalinBaroque", with facades of the earliest often monumental, with plinths, large columns and small decorative balconies. Over time, as the town expanded, buildings were built featuring less ornamentation in the newer Modernist architectural style.[citation needed]
In 1970, the first celebration of the national poetry festival 'Penio Penev' took place, and that tradition continues to the present. In 1980, the biennial Bulgarian theatrical poster was held for the first time. In 1987, the museum house Penio Penev was opened.[citation needed]
In 1992, shortly after the collapse of communism in Bulgaria, the monument to Georgi Dimitrov was removed by the authorities. This move proved very unpopular with the local residents, and in 2012 a plan was adopted by Dimitrovgrad city council to restore the statue and re-mount it by 2013.[4] So far this has not happened.
Architecture in Dimitrovgrad is similar to that of the Roman Empire: It has spacious streets and large parks. It is one of the greenest cities in Bulgaria. There are three large parks with about 15 lakes, dozens of species of rare trees, shrubs and flowers, sculptures, gazebos and fountains. The town is also home to the People's Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium "Jordano Bruno".[5] This is the first planetarium and second observatory (after the one in Stara Zagora) in Bulgaria [6]
The population of Dimitrovgrad during the first decade after its foundation averaged about 34,000.[3] In the following decades it started growing, mostly because of migrants from rural areas, reaching its peak between 1985 and 1992, when it exceeded 50,000.[2] Since then, particularly during the 1990s, the population declined rapidly due to the poor economic situation in the region that lead to a new migration to the country's capital Sofia and abroad.
.jpg)
Blida, Algeria
Darkhan, Mongolia
Dimitrovgrad, Russia
Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany
Grosseto, Italy
Jiaojiang (Taizhou), China
Kalamaria, Greece
Kazincbarcika, Hungary
Nowa Huta (Kraków), Poland
Yuzhne, Ukraine
