Липсваща и подменена музейна реликва от Априлското въстание в Регионалния исторически музей – Пловдив
Missing And Replaced Museum Relic Of The April Uprising At The Regional Historical Museum – Plovdiv

Summary/Abstract: In recent decades, thefts of cultural valuables have frequently occurred in Bulgarian museums. In some cases, original exhibits have been replaced with similar objects, usually suggesting or revealing internal complicity. This study presents the replacement of the cross of Pop (Priest) Gruyu Banski, which was used to administer the oath to the delegates at the Assembly in Oborishte during the April Uprising. The main sources include documents from the Scientific Archive of the Regional Historical Museum – Plovdiv, as well as printed and digital images. The last photograph of the original cross dates from early January 2010. The cross disappeared in 2011 or 2012. As a silver-plated object, it was subject to annual inventory checks. According to the inventory conducted at the beginning of 2011, the cross was still present. After 2012, however, it was no longer listed among the cultural valuables subject to annual inspection. Such a change could only be made by order of the museum director. Subsequently, at an unknown time and under unclear circumstances, another cross appeared in the display case, resembling the original but clearly different from it. All museum collections are subject to a full inventory every five years; however, the inventory due in 2015 proved to be fictitious, with an inaccurate report entered into the Scientific Archive only in 2022. No subsequent full inventory has been conducted. It became evident that no positive change would occur while the director remained in office, and a report was therefore submitted to the Ministry of Culture. The director retired, and a few months later the employee who had most consistently insisted on resolving the case in accordance with the law also retired. The new director was informed but took almost no action. Ultimately, the only remaining staff member who remembered the original cross and refused to allow the replacement to be concealed filed a report with the prosecutor’s office. No actual investigation followed: no representative of the investigative authorities visited the exhibition or the Scientific Archive, the case file was closed, and no official document confirming the loss of the cross has been issued to this day. The new cross continues to be displayed in the exhibition.

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