“The Teachers” Arch. Yuliy Farkov (1946–2023)
Guardian of Bulgarian Heritage
“Architecture is not simply about building; it is a bridge between eras. To save a cultural heritage monument is to restore the soul of a place and allow it to speak to future generations.“
The Journey: From Classical Education to Landmark Projects
Arch. Yuliy Farkov graduated in Architecture from the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Sofia, and went on to become one of Bulgaria's most respected experts, with decades of experience in the restoration, conservation and preservation of cultural heritage. His professional career combined large-scale architectural projects for public and residential buildings with landmark interventions at some of the most significant historical sites in Bulgaria and abroad.
The Mission: Preserving Architectural Heritage
Over the years, Arch. Farkov's work received some of the highest professional and state honours, recognising his significant contribution to the preservation of Bulgaria's cultural identity:
- 2009 — Architect of the Year Award for preserved architectural heritage (Villa Armira, Ivaylovgrad).
- 2010 — Architect of the Year Award for preserved architectural heritage (Episcopal Basilica, Sandanski).
- 2013 — The prestigious Golden Age Order and Certificate, awarded by the Ministry of Culture for outstanding contribution to the preservation of Bulgaria's cultural heritage.
The Legacy: Buildings with History and Timelessness
The projects carried out under his direction brought new life to the past and repeatedly received the highest national recognition within the Bulgarian architectural community:
- Building of the Year 2013 — Preservation of Cultural and Historical Heritage category, for the Tsari Mali Grad Late Antiquity Fortress.
- Building of the Year 2014 — Urban Environment and Landscape Parks category, for the Peristera Late Antique and Medieval Fortress, Peshtera.
- Building of the Year 2016 — Preservation of Cultural and Historical Heritage category, for the Serdica Cultural and Historical Complex, Sofia.
- 2020 — First Prize at the Invest Build Awards for the masterful restoration of the Church of St. Athanasius, Boboshevo.
“His legacy remains embedded in the stones of ancient Serdica, Villa Armira and Tsari Mali Grad. A school of thought that continues to inspire contemporary form and nurture a sense of continuity across generations.“