Bulgaria Building the Dunav River Bridge

[Stogieman]

The Giurgiu-Rousse Friendship Bridge:

Opened on 20 June 1954 and designed by Georgi Ovcharov (some websites list a P. Andreev as the designer), this 2800 meter steel-truss bridge connects the Bulgarian city of Ruse with the Romanian city of Giurgiu on the North bank of the Danube River.

An ambitious project for the era, please see some one of the many images that can be gleaned from public-domain sites.

[Stogieman]

Why the interest? Well, I was wondering if anyone has seen one of these little gems before? Also, does anyone know how many were actually awarded?

[Stogieman]

Matching document. So very few Bulgarian awards were ever numbered, with the exception of some early issues of a few orders and early badges, it's really nice to find a documented set that we know actually goes together!

[Guest Rick Research]

:Cat-Scratch: Neat!!!!

Since this was apparently issued by the "Commission" of BOTH countries involved (bilingual) there must also be ROMANIAN versions of the award booklet... anybody?

Might be worth posting a link over there-- I seem to remember Kev having some sort of badge for this bridge?

[bolgarin]

Good badge and very rare document.....

[Stogieman]

Group is in! Stay tuned!

[Stogieman]

Meet Ivan Spasov Dandilov, Master Builder, Good Union Member and all around nice guy:

[Stogieman]

The 1954 Bridge set, complete:

[Stogieman]

Additional Badge scan:

[Stogieman]

They even numbered the case!

[Stogieman]

In 1955, he was awarded his second rare numbered badge, Stakhamovite Labor from Factory Promontazh DMU:

[Stogieman]

Since this is the first time we have seen this badge here, I am adding the regulation pages as well:

[Stogieman]

In 1959, he receives an Excellence in Ministry of Construction Badge:

[Stogieman]

1969, he receives the Type 1 Excellence in Ministry of Construction and Architecture Badge:

[Stogieman]

1971, Honor Badge in Bronze, City of Ruse!

[Stogieman]

1973 Dues Book for the Science & Technology Union, accompanied by a membership lapel pin:

[Stogieman]

1974: Excellence in the National Agro-Industrial Union:

[Stogieman]

In 1975, he receives his second (Type 2) Excellence in the Ministry of Construction and Architecture:

[Stogieman]

1977 he receives something called Master Kolio Ficheto for High Craftsmanship in Construction:

[Stogieman]

1981, Honor Badge for Rationalization:

[Stogieman]

1982, Badge for Socialist Competition of Ruse Region of the Bulgarian Professional Unions Council:

[Stogieman]

A lengthy career, with many honors received. This group has many, many rare and interested awards!

[bolgarin]

Excelent and rare group!!!!!!!!!!!! My congrats

[Kev in Deva]

Why the interest? Well, I was wondering if anyone has seen one of these little gems before? Also, does anyone know how many were actually awarded?

Please see an example of a Romanian unnumbered one belonging to a friend of mine:-

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=41594&view=findpost&p=384648

Kevin in Deva :cheers:

[Stogieman]

Wow! Thanks Kev, that makes two we know of so far. Does anyone else have any examples?