Progress vs. Uniqueness

Progress does not always mean progress.
And not always "development" really leads to something good and beautiful...

Wait, that sounds too familiar to me, like déjà vu. Have I ever said that before here? Because that's my thought. Or I just live with it permanently, because the circumstances and my surroundings suggest it.
Are we all really progressing in our "development"?

A few weeks ago I happened to pass by the site of this building that I showed you before.

Until a few months ago, or a year, that is, months after its demolition, there was only a bare field there, along with a concrete slab on which this incredible alien structure had stood for years and decades.

Then something new came. Progress, so to speak. The one that defines and guides our current life... development.

And that's exactly what made me go through my folders again and I was surprised to find out that I didn't manage to post all the pictures I took of this amazing site.

And I hope you don't mind visiting it again with me and taking one last look at its wonderful architecture and amazing design, which I'm sure many architects would envy.

And other people, like me, regret that this project never came to fruition. And they regret even more that it had to be removed.

Why?

Because of progress and development.

These are really the last pictures I have, that I was able to take of this building.

Almost from all its sides.

I think I was then able to go around it almost everywhere on the outside. Maybe there's only one small part I haven't been able to look at.

Although there were people around then and taking pictures was not an easy job. (I told you this story before.)

But I am really glad I managed to do it, because you know my perception of photography - images are proof of existence.

And since this building is no more, how could you prove it has ever existed?

Look at these gorgeous details. If you are able to not take into account the state of the structure, don't you admire this amazing idea? Can you see the great genius behind this never realized project?

Because I see it. And I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity I was given to photograph it before its destruction. Shortly before the destruction.

Hey, those pictures will be priceless someday. 😃

Has anyone ever stopped in front of this building to take a picture of it? What do you think?

I have talked to local people. I don't think anyone is as impressed with it as I, as a guest of this city, have been.

First, one often cannot appreciate what one has in one's own country or city (I know this from personal experience). Second, you must have eyes and a heart for these things to see and appreciate them.

Wait, I was talking about progress. And this was the main reason I decided to show you this building again (for the last time.)

So, none of what I'm showing you exists anymore. In its place and next to it, the metal structure of a future shopping center is rising.

Ugly metal construction, I must say.
This ugly metal structure that will serve people for years and decades to come, predetermined by their current level of progress.
It will serve them, perhaps in a way that the vanished structure never did.

And for some people, it probably will be more beautiful and acceptable than the ruined alien architecture.

Maybe I'm the only one who saw it as beautiful? Who knows? Since I myself am a complete stranger to this city and see things in it in a completely different way that the locals cannot see it...

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So, goodbye, space ship! This time really for good!

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This peculiar building, which does not exist any more, was located in the South Bulgarian city of Dimitrovgrad.

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Copyright: @soulsdetour

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	Soul's Detour is a project started by me years ago when I had a blog about historical and not so popular tourist destinations in Eastern Belgium, West Germany and Luxembourg. Nowadays, this blog no longer exists, but I'm still here - passionate about architecture, art and mysteries and eager to share my discoveries and point of view with you.