On 27 November 1917, a group of local residents gathered in a room at the factory and laid the foundations for a community centre. They named it ‘Dr Dimitar Vladov’ – in honour of the revolutionary who had bequeathed property and a library to the centre. Years later, in 1923, the community leader Dimitar Suselov donated a plot of land for a new building. Today, his name adorns the street adjacent to the community centre and a commemorative plaque on the façade.

The building as we know it today was opened in 1964 – it features an ambitious theatre and cinema hall with a revolving stage, one of only three in Sofia. At the same time, the community centre was awarded the Order of Cyril and Methodius, First Class, and given a new name – in honour of the Miladinov brothers.

Today, the halls are bustling with activity – cultural events, educational and sporting activities, and a community that keeps alive the spirit of that first gathering in 1917.