Charity Projects - Pavlina Koeva-Ratcheva

NATIONAL BALNEOLOGICAL CENTRE BANKYA, BULGARIA

The Mineral baths in Bankya, designed by the Munich architect Prof. Karl Hoheder, are the first mineral baths in Bulgaria, conformed to the modern technical equipment for the time.

In 2010 the Mineral Baths in Bankya celebrated 100 years since their inauguration. The building was at critical condition, closed to the public and in state of disrepair since 2001.

The 100^th Anniversary Commemoration of the Mineral baths Bankya was organised in collaboration with Bankya Municipality, Sofia Capital Municipality, the Union of Architects in Bulgaria UAB, the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria CAB and the Edinburgh Central Library.

The exhibition dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the Mineral Baths in Bankya was opened to the public by The Mayor of Sofia Mrs. Fandukova along with a seminar and a design workshop, organised as part of the anniversary commemorations in Sept' 2010.

... to my mum who kept walking

On 21st May 2009 my mum had a massive stroke. After a week in hospital, she was discharged to start a long and rather challenging process of recovery.

My first day in Bankya started on the balcony of our room in the Hospital for long term treatment and rehabilitation, HLTR of MMA. I will never forget the fresh air, the birds singing and the sense of piece and quiet I felt at that moment.

I was there with my mum for a reason, to be able to witness how someone is brought back to life. Starting to move again her fingers one by one and making the first steps is close to a miracle.

It was in Bankya, when mum looked in disbelief at the abandoned building of the mineral baths and I turned at the door of the local Mayer in my old jeans: “ I’m Bulgarian architect who lives in Edinburgh. What are you planning to do about that building in the park…?”

My mum started walking, she lost her speech, but manged to find her singing voice again, at the same balcony and I found the purpose of my stay in Bulgaria.

Giving back to the people we love, fighting for their life, for the voices that haven’t been heard yet, bringing back a loved one and making them sing again.

Giving back to the society, bringing back to life a building without expecting anything in return and just keep looking for that lost human voices. That keeps me going.

*Dedicated to my Mother Velika Penkova Koeva, a teacher, mathematician and humanitarian.