At a brief succession ceremony today, 6 June 2023, at the Ministry of Culture, the new Minister of Culture Krastyu Krastev took over from the outgoing Minister - Nayden Todorov.
 “This is a man who over the years has proven to be one of the best cultural leaders in Bulgaria” - with these words Nayden Todorov introduced his successor. With his inherent sense of humour, Maestro Todorov wished Minister Krastev to work in the Ministry as long as he did in Plovdiv and to be as successful. “Two months ago I presented you with the Ministry of Culture award, now I present you with the Ministry of Culture itself,” Nayden Todorov addressed Krastyu Krastev.


  Minister Krastev thanked Maestro Todorov, stressing that for him he is an outstanding professional and a person he loves and respects. “I believe that he has done everything he can - and more - to make things happen here, for which I thank him!” said Minister Krastev. He said that he is now coming to a place where he had previously gone for other reasons. That is why he thought, “Your comfort time here is proving less of a safe haven, now you have to provide that save haven.” Regarding work, Minister Krastev said that he is used to it being in a team where there is respect for everyone’s work. “I respect everyone’s work, I respect the can-do attitude in work,” the new Minister of Culture said. He said there is probably a backlog of negative things from all that gets in the way of the work that needs to be done, but he believes that everyone working in the Ministry comes to it with a great love, first and foremost for culture. “I would like to build a spirit of trust, which I know is hard to earn. Believe me, I will not interfere with anyone’s work if he earns my trust that this is what needs to be done,” Minister Krastev addressed the Ministry of Culture team. The system should be calmed down and people should be allowed to work, the minister added. He pointed out that there are many capable people in culture and if the Ministry manages to calm the environment in which they work, they will give their best.

  At the end of the ceremony, in keeping with the long-standing tradition, Nayden Todorov symbolically handed over to his successor a phototype copy of the famous Manasseh Chronicle, which the Ministers of Culture pass on to each other as a sign of succession.