Museums, galleries and libraries in Bulgaria ready to go on protest over low budget subsidy
The National Federation of Culture at Podkrepa Trade Union has announced readiness for protests under the slogan: "For more money in the budget for museums, galleries and libraries!", the trade union announced.
In their position, the union points out that the planned increase in funds for national and regional museums and galleries in the Budget for 2022 compared to last year is 5%, and that for regional libraries is 9.2%, which is extremely insufficient.
It is pointed out that although highly qualified specialists work in this field, the average salary in museums and galleries is BGN 832 (EUR 425) and in libraries BGN 760 (EUR 389), which will soon be the minimum wage in the country. There are practically no funds left in the cultural institutes to carry out their real activities - research, exhibition, promotion, restoration, etc.
The union warns that if the demands are not met, mass protests will begin.