October 2024

Geostroy has completed the construction of a new summer cinema in the town centre of Etropole. The modern facility will enrich the cultural life of local residents, offering a fresh space for entertainment and community events. The project investor is Ellatzite-Med and its designer is Geoproject.

The summer cinema is a key social project, part of GEOTECHMIN GROUP’s corporate social responsibility. It stands on the site of a former cinema that was tragically destroyed in a massive fire 37 years ago. The new facility boasts an open-air screening area with 160 amphitheatrically arranged seats across 8 rows, facing a 12-by-5-metre screen. Additional amenities include a sweetshop café, a children’s playground, and 17 parking spaces.

The cinema was inaugurated with an official water-blessing ceremony. The ribbon was cut by M.Eng. Stoil Dimitrov, General Production Director of Ellatzite-Med; the Mayor of Etropole Municipality M.Eng. Vladimir Aleksandrov; M.Eng. Tsvetoslav Petkov, Executive Director of Geostroy; and M.Eng. Ivaylo Stanev, Manager of Geoproject. The ceremony was led by Father Emil from Etropole Monastery, who conducted a solemn water blessing for health and prosperity.

‘This is a landmark and long-awaited investment, and I am so proud that we at Ellatzite-Med and GEOTECHMIN GROUP have successfully brought it to life,’ said M.Eng. Stoil Dimitrov at the opening ceremony. ‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Prof. DSc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov, President of Geotechmin, whose ongoing involvement was key to the project’s realization.’ He also thanked the design team from Geoproject, the construction team from Geostroy, and everyone who contributed to the project – carried out with care for the local community.

‘We have always said that every project is important to our team. But when a project carries real social significance and helps improve people’s lives, the sense of accomplishment is even greater. We believe this investment in a modern complex will enrich the cultural life of Etropole, making it more dynamic and diverse, and will bring joy to both residents and visitors,’ said M.Eng. Tsvetoslav Petkov.

The cinema officially opened on 12 October 2024, coinciding with the Day of the Bulgarian Municipality. ‘This is a day I will never forget, as we are inaugurating the Summer Cinema of Etropole – an emblematic building for our town,’ said M.Eng. Vladimir Aleksandrov, Mayor of Etropole Municipality. ‘I took part in the demolition of the old, fire-damaged building during my time as Deputy Director of Ellatzite-Med’s Mine Complex, I attended the groundbreaking of this new project, and now, as Mayor, I have the privilege of opening the completed cinema.’ He added that the project serves as a model of good practice, demonstrating how companies of this scale should collaborate with municipalities. ‘The investment in the Summer Cinema is a benefit to everyone in our town,’ M.Eng. Aleksandrov concluded.

The summer cinema in the town of Etropole is part of GEOTECHMIN GROUP’s broader social commitment to the municipalities where its companies operate. In just two months, this marks the third project completed by the Group in Etropole Municipality. Through donations made under the Bulgarian Virtues Charity Programme, modern waste collection trucks were provided to support the municipal enterprise Public Works and Utilities – Etropole (BKS-Etropole), and two kindergartens serving more than 200 children underwent partial renovation.