QSL Card No. 8: First Bulgarian radio manufacturing factory

Throughout 2026, Radio Bulgaria is confirming listeners' reception reports with a new series of 12 QSL cards. Each card highlights a significant moment from the history of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and Radio Bulgaria, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. At the beginning of each month, we present the story behind the image featured on the latest card.

The eighth QSL card for 2026 is dedicated to Svetozar Prenerov's first Bulgarian radio manufacturing factory.

In 1925, Svetozar Prenerov, an engineer who had just completed his education in France, received an invitation to take part in the Philips project to manufacture radio sets in the Netherlands. However, the young engineer turned down this tempting offer, deciding instead to manufacture radio sets in his homeland. Thus, in 1925, the ‘Elektron’ craft workshop began operations under the leadership of Svetozar and his brother Veselin, producing ‘Universal’ linear radio sets.

Following the passing of a law permitting the radio industry in Bulgaria, Svetozar Prenerov founded 'Tulan' – the first Bulgarian factory for the manufacture of radio sets – in the city of Burgas in 1927.

• QSL Card No. 7: 1940, the TULAN Radio Receiver

The factory manufactured all components for the various radio set models, with the exception of the radio tubes. Engineer Prenerov was even in a position to start manufacturing radio tubes, but events in Europe after 1933 prevented the import of the specific raw materials required for producing the glass and components of the tubes.

In 1941, Prenerov developed a test radio receiver for his own car, intending to produce car radio receivers that would have been revolutionary for the time. Another innovation was the modern 'Tourist' – a portable receiver designed for the European tourist market. Unfortunately, the outbreak of the Second World War disrupted the engineer’s plans for the future.

Following the political changes in Bulgaria at the end of 1944 and the arrival of the new regime, the factory was seized from its owners, its operations were halted and it was nationalised and permanently closed in 1947.

How to Receive the QSL Card

To receive this QSL card, simply send us a reception report including:

For Radio Bulgaria: the date and language of the programme you listened to.
For other BNR programmes: the date, time, frequency, and details about the programme content.
Reception reports may be submitted via:

E-mail: reception.report@bnr.bg

Post:
Bulgarian National Radio
Desislava Semkovska
4 Dragan Tsankov Blvd.
1040 Sofia
Bulgaria

Please remember to include your postal mailing address, as QSL cards are sent by regular mail.

We would also like to remind our listeners that BNR continues to confirm reception reports with QSL cards from previous series. If you would like to receive a particular earlier card, please mention your preference in your reception report.