Stanimirov, А., Kolev, A. (2025) Valorization of military monuments in Bulgaria in the context of contemporary social attitudes. – In. KNOWLEDGE – International Journal , 69(1), 375–378. Retrieved from  https://ojs.ikm.mk/index.php/kij/issue/view/226  

Abstract: This article presents the process of valorization of military monuments in Bulgaria, analyzing their significance in the context of contemporary social attitudes and cultural transformations. The valorization of monuments is determined by the degree and importance they hold for society. Their historical value is defined by the historical events they commemorate. Therefore, they are closely related to national memory and the formation of societal identity. In Bulgaria, military monuments are significant symbols that reflect different historical periods – crucial for the Bulgarian people, such as the liberation of Bulgaria, the Serbo-Bulgarian War, Balkan Wars, World War I, and World War II. The article examines how contemporary social attitudes influence the perception and evaluation of these monuments, focusing on their current interpretation. The democratization processes and the changes they bring in Bulgaria lead to a rethinking of the role of military monuments and a reevaluation of their status as bearers of memory for various historical events. Various approaches are explored on how social groups and political governance use monuments as tools for shaping collective memory, and the efforts to reassess and integrate them into the contemporary understanding of national identity. The research also emphasizes the interaction between society and monuments in the context of the rapidly changing modern globalized world. In this context, new social and political movements that propose new interpretations and reconsiderations of their meaning are also discussed. In conclusion, suggestions are made for future research and policies that would support the sustainable and objective valorization of military monuments as an essential part of cultural heritage. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a sustainable cultural environment in which monuments are perceived not only as historical and material symbols but also as “living objects” that continue to shape social attitudes and identities in contemporary Bulgaria.

Keywords: valorization, military monuments, cultural heritage, memory, social attitudes, national identity, collective memory