A commemorative plaque in the town of Gabrovo will mark the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the first labor-production cooperative in the country.

29/10/2020

On October 1, 1895, in the town of Gabrovo, seven enterprising master tailors decided to join forces and pool their resources, establishing the first Bulgarian labor-production cooperative (LPC)—the "Napredak" (Progress) Tailors' Workers' Society. Their task was by no means easy. A labor cooperative represents the highest form of cooperative association, as members contribute not only material assets but also their own labor. The progressive spirit of the people of Gabrovo is evidenced by the fact that they initiated the history of labor-production cooperatives in Bulgaria just 50 years after the founding of the world’s very first modern-style cooperative—the "Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers" in England. It is also significant that "Napredak" was established in the same year as the International Co-operative Alliance. During its brief existence, the cooperative achieved remarkable economic success and paved the way for subsequent labor-production cooperatives, which played a pivotal role in building the industrial sector of post-Liberation Bulgaria. Ever since, production cooperatives have played an essential part in the development of Bulgarian society and the nation’s economic progress, providing dignified employment while remaining steadfastly close to the people.

To honor the legacy of the masters from the "Napredak" cooperative, the National Union of Labor-Production Cooperatives has initiated the installation of a commemorative plaque at 8 Pencho Slaveykov Street, located in the historic "Sixth District" (Shesti Uchastak). It was precisely at this location that the "Pop Neofit" School—an iconic institution for the town of Gabrovo—once stood. It was here that Stefan and Dobri Petkov, Stoycho Iv. Hadzhiev (Kotito), Stefan Nachev Zhapunov (Katina), Tsanko Stoyan Vrazhilski, Hristo Marinchev, and Nikola Nedkov began their professional endeavors.

The plaque is the work of the talented local sculptor Adrian Novakov, who also created the monuments to Pencho Slaveykov in Tryavna and Milan.

The ceremonial unveiling of the plaque—which serves as the highlight of this year’s commemorations marking the 125th anniversary of the founding of the first Labor-Producer Cooperative (TPK) in Bulgaria, and forms part of the municipal calendar of events celebrating "160 Years of Gabrovo as a Town"—will take place on October 30th at 11:00 a.m.

Following the brief ceremony, guests will have the opportunity to view the photo exhibition "125 Years of Labor-Producer Cooperatives – Supporting People with Disabilities" at the National Museum of Education in Gabrovo. The exhibition aims to showcase key milestones in the history of these cooperatives—which represent a highly progressive, socially-oriented business model—as well as glimpses into the daily working lives, family celebrations, and leisure time of the cooperative members. The exhibition has been prepared with the kind assistance of the Regional State Archive – Gabrovo and the "Aprilov-Palauzov" Regional Library – Gabrovo, which helped in locating information regarding the work of the pioneers from the "Napredak" (Progress) Tailors' and Workers' Society.
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