page_title: Petrevene
section_title: After the democratic changes (1989–present)
hierarchical_section_title: Petrevene / History / After the democratic changes (1989–present)
caption_attribution_description: English: Petrevene main street
context_page_description: Petrevene is a village in North Central Bulgaria.
  It is situated on the left bank of Panega river. It is in the Municipality of Lukovit, part of the District of Lovech, and is 6 kilometres away from the municipality center of Lukovit. The main road E-83 and the railroad Cherven Bryag—Zlatna Panega pass through it.
  Historical records of the settlement date back from the early 15th century, during the Ottoman Empire, although evidence from the surrounding areas indicate the area was likely settled much earlier. Historically, it has been an important part of the marble trade, and is notable for its long history of shifting Pomak Muslim and Christian village populations and tensions.
  It known for its local festival 'Watermelon Day' – a longstanding and popular local tradition dating back to 1936. The local economy is based around small farming, particularly cattle, and services to traffic from the local high road.
context_section_description: After the democratic changes of 1989 in Bulgaria Petrevene has remained within the Lovech District of the Republic of Bulgaria. The TKZS was closed (unlike other nearby villages which have kept theirs and privatized them), and became derelict. Petrevene's agricultural output and capacity were reduced severely. The collectivized farmfields were then divided as they were prior to the collectivization and returned to their original owners or their heirs. However, many villagers chose to retire and became state retirees, instead of making their living on the farmlands. 
   During post-communist Bulgaria many young Petrevene families moved to larger cities to seek better employment opportunities. As a result, many farmfields and vineyards that had previously dominated the landscape became abandoned and uncultivated, and the village's population shrank rapidly. Additionally due the economic crisis that followed, and very low state pensions many owners were unable to afford the upkeep of their homes and many houses fell into disrepair.
  A new obrok at the location of the previous one has been erected in 2012. A group for folklore songs 'Petrevchanka' has been founded at the Community CulturalCenter Ivan Stefanov-1918. In 2011 Petrevene had 598 inhabitants.
  Recently, with Bulgaria's overall economic growth, Petrevene has experienced a revival as well as re-cultivation of many farmlands. Additionally increased incomes mean that many people could afford to improve their homes. There have also been several commercial developments spurred by a competent administration, including the establishment of a new bakery, Lazarov Commers, and a motorbike rally.
  In August 2005, as well as the rest of Bulgaria, Petrevene experienced heavy flooding. As a result, the drainage canal and the river tributary Dulǎt was widened, dredged and in more central areas covered over in concrete blocks to protect from erosion and to ease future floods. This was achieved by using money from the EU Solidarity Fund which at the time had allocated 106 million euros to aide the crisis.
  After Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007 some villagers were able to benefit from the SAPARD program for agricultural and rural development, and as of April 2009 some parts of the TKZS have been restored to working order. Furthermore, the Dulǎt tributary now has two new bridges across it,  both built in 2008.
caption: The road E-83 passing through Petrevene
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