Archives State Agency (ASA; Durzhavna Agentsia 'Arhivi' in Bulgarian) is the governing body of state archives of the Republic of Bulgaria, founded in 1951 and recreated in 2007. It implements national policy on collecting, preserving, arranging, and using historically valuable archival records. It coordinates the professional search and acquisition of records by state bodies, organizations, and personalities of local, national, and international significance. ASA is at the helm of all state archives in Bulgaria, which include the Central State Archive in Sofia, the State Military History Archive in Veliko Turnovo and 6 regional archive sections, under which 27 local archives operate.

Since 1960, the State Archives has been a member of the International Council on Archives (ICA) and takes part in its international events (congresses, annual general meetings, etc.) and actions. State Archives has been a permanent member of the European Branch of the ICA EURBICA since its creation in 2000. The Archives State Agency undertakes international relations on the basis of bilateral agreements signed with foreign archival administrations such as in Austria, Albania, Armenia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Georgia, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, and Turkey.

Due to the vastness of its collections (in Sofia and branch offices), the archives under the ASA preserve an immense number of documents on cultural opposition during state socialism. Access is granted based upon the pertinent relevant legislation, and the rules of use of the individual archives.

For more information go to: http://www.archives.government.bg