Story told by captain Peter Ivanov – former inspector at the Passport Department of Bulgaria
In March of 1960, I was hired as an inspector at the Passport Department of Bulgaria – a sub-department of the police. My job description was to assist the border units of the police, and control whether they follow the procedures and standards when conducting their professional duties. My job essence was the reason to meet with Baba Vanga.
I heard many stories about her phenomenal gift to foretell the future and to read on people with unbelievable accuracy, but I didn’t have much interest to meet with her.
I was quite surprised how many people were waiting for days to get approval to pass through the border and get to Petrich – where Baba Vanga lived. Very few of them were disclosing the truth that there were going to meet with the prophetess. Most of them knew very well, that it was forbidden by the People’s Republic of Bulgaria to go and visit prophets, oracles, mediums, and all other gifted people who were widely rejected by to communistic regime at the time. That is why people were coming with all sorts of stories such as visiting relatives, visiting relatives who were conscripts, visiting a national celebration days, visiting a doctor, and so on and so forth.
Just in case our border agency required documents that prove the necessity of the respective visit.
There were some people who were declaring that they would visit the neighbouring village (across the border), but once they got there, they were trying to reach Petrich. Some even took the risk to drive to Petrich with their own car, because if they had to go with a bus or a train, they had to fill out all declaration documents including the prove why they are vising Bulgaria.
