Ref Number: 94
Atanas Burov's Sea Garden Summer Villa
Ref Number: 94
This beautiful summer villa,constructed in the early 20th century, showcases an eclectic architectural style. The property served as the summer abode for Atanas Burov (1875-1954), a renowned Bulgarian banker, diplomat, politician, and prominent public personality.
He was widely regarded as a very prominent individual inside Bulgarian political circles during the first part of the 20th century. His significant impact stemmed from his compelling political oratory and his efforts to implement contemporary European methodologies into Bulgarian society. Consequently, he earned the epithet of the “ideologist of the Bulgarian bourgeoisie.”
Atanas Burov, hailing from Gorna Oryahovitsa, was born on February 12, 1875.
Burov pursued his education within his place of residence and subsequently attended April High School in Gabrovo, where he faced expulsion due to his involvement in a strike orchestrated by the socialist faction. The individual successfully completed their matriculation examinations as an independent candidate, achieving exceptional results, which subsequently enabled them to pursue their tertiary studies at esteemed international higher education establishments. Burov obtained a degree in political and financial studies from the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris.
Upon his repatriation to Bulgaria, he assumed the role of overseeing the implementation of the Sofia-Kyustendil railway line and actively engaged in the administration of various enterprises, including the mining Bulgarian joint-stock company “Budeshte,” Bulgarian Commercial Bank, Insurance Company “Bulgaria,” Joint-stock company “Byalo More,” among others.
From a young age, Burov actively participated in the affairs of the People’s Party. Starting in 1899, he consistently secured election as a People’s Representative. Moreover, during the time spanning 1911 to 1912, he held the position of Deputy Speaker in the National Assembly.
Following the commencement of the Balkan War in 1912, Burov, an entrepreneur and banker, expeditiously completed their studies at the School for Reserve Officers. Notably, they were the sole active member of parliament who willingly enlisted as a volunteer for the front. At the Chataldzha location, Lieutenant Burov effectively executed a close-quarters assault, sometimes referred to as a “knife” attack, and managed to evade a potentially fatal outcome. This was made possible by the fortuitous circumstance of a Turkish bullet becoming trapped in his metallic lighter, which was conveniently stored in his upper pocket. Subsequently, he was bestowed with the Order of Bravery. In the month of December, he was relieved of his position and thereafter resumed his responsibilities as deputy and vice-president of the National Assembly.
In the year 1913, he assumed the position of Minister of Trade, Industry, and Labour within the governmental administration led by Stoyan Danev. From 1919 to 1920, he assumed leadership of the identical ministry within the administration of Alexander Stamboliyski. During the Stamboliyski government’s tenure in 1923, Burov faced allegations from the National Assembly of committing acts of treason against the nation through his involvement in the continuation of the Inter-Allied War.
Following the occurrence of the coup on June 9th, 1923, Burov became a member of the Democratic Alliance and assumed leadership of its moderate faction alongside Andrey Lyapchev. He held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Confessions in the three administrations led by Lyapchev from 1926 to 1931.
During the historical period of World War II, Atanas Burov expressed his opposition towards the alliance between Bulgaria and Germany. This opposition led to his appointment as a minister without portfolio in the government of Konstantin Muraviev on September 2, 1944. This administration was constituted as a final attempt to deter the Soviet Union from launching an attack on Bulgaria.
Following the coup that took place on September 9th, Burov was subjected to a one-year jail term by the self-proclaimed People’s court. Having been granted a pardon and subsequently freed on the eve of the 1945 elections, Burov proceeded to align themselves with the opposition in opposition to the governing Fatherland’s Front administration. In 1947, he voiced his opposition to the imposition of the death penalty upon Nikola Petkov.
On October 25th, he was subjected to internment at Dryanovo, and in 1949, he was then transferred to a concentration camp located in close proximity to Dulovo. In the year 1950, Burov was apprehended and subsequently, on November 13, 1952, received a prison sentence of two decades. This ruling was rendered following his conviction on three counts, namely: engaging in activities aimed at subverting and destabilising the government, making assurances in 1946 regarding the establishment of a foreign military installation in Varna, and instigating antagonistic actions against Bulgaria by foreign nations and social collectives. He was incarcerated at the correctional facilities of Shumen and Pazardzhik. Latterly, decision No. 172 of the Supreme Court in 1996 rendered the sentence null and void.
On May 15, 1954, Atanas Burov met his demise within the confines of Pazardzhik jail.
Today, Villa Burov stands as a distinguished restaurant in Varna, offering patrons the opportunity to relish in both the picturesque seascape and the elegant ambiance of the old residence of Atanas Burov.
Nedev 2007, p. 769.
Ognyanov, Lubomir. The Political System in Bulgaria 1949 – 1956. Sofia, “Standart”, 2008. ISBN 978-954-8976-45-9. p. 287.
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