Biography of Dimitar Varbanov (architect)
Dimitar Varbanov was born on February 14, 1926, in Letnitsa where his parents Angel and Veselina Varbanov worked as local schoolteachers. At seven years old, he began his education at the “Otets Paisiy” school. A pivotal moment came in 5th grade when he and ten classmates chose to learn the violin. A dedicated music teacher would travel weekly from Lovech to Letnitsa to provide their lessons.
Varbanov continued his education at the high school in Lovech, actively participating in the school’s orchestra. Upon graduation, he faced an exciting choice, having been accepted to study both medicine and architecture. Ultimately, he chose architecture, which would become his lifelong profession. After completing his studies, he fulfilled his military service in the construction troops—an assignment that brought him to Veliko Tarnovo, where he would establish his professional career as an architect.
From 1954 to 1956, Varbanov worked with the Veliko Tarnovo District People’s Council and Design Organization. During 1956, he was appointed Main Architect of the Veliko Tarnovo Administrative District at Veliko Tarnovo Municipality. By 1980, he had risen to become the Main Architect of Veliko Tarnovo city, a position he held until his retirement in 1986.
Beyond his architectural work, Varbanov was a multifaceted community leader. He served as Vice Chairman of the Cultural Centre “Nadezhda” in Veliko Tarnovo and was an active member of both the Union of Architects in Bulgaria and the Scientific Society of Bulgarian Academy of Science. He is one of the creators of the amateur musical theatre in the city, which subsequently grew into the Konstantin Kisimov Drama and Music Theatre. During the 1970s, he even continued to work in the theatre as a substitute violinist, demonstrating his lifelong love of music.
His professional excellence and community service did not go unrecognized. Varbanov received numerous awards, including the “25 Years Bulgarian Architect” badge, the Silver Medal of Labour, and the prestigious medal 1300 Years Bulgaria.
Between 1974 and 1982, Varbanov undertook his most ambitious personal project: a remarkable graphic chronology he called “Partitura Mundi” (Score of The World). This extensive timeline captured the historical and cultural development of the world, ranging from the Big Bang and geological eras to the early 20th century. Over the years, he continually refined and expanded this massive work, creating a unique historical document.
On March 26, 1990, Dimitar Varbanov passed away in Sofia, Bulgaria. His magnum opus, Partitura Mundi, was finally published in December 2019, nearly four decades after its completion, preserving his remarkable vision of human history for future generations.
