Russian businessmen are interested in purchasing the Sofia Central Department Store (Tsum) building and turning it into a museum of Orthodox Christianity.

Tzum owner Georgi Gergov has received a written purchase offer signed by noted Russian entrepreneurs and cultural figures, Bulgarian Focus News Agency informed.

Gergov, a famous Bulgairan businessman and Bulgarian Socialist Party Plovdiv organization leader, has himself neither confirmed nor denied the information, reports Dnevnik.bg

The offer reportedly states that the goal of the project is to integrate the cultural and the Christian Orthodox tradition between the South Slavs and Russia.

The prospective buyers consider the building particularly suitable because of its central location, close to several early Christian churches, and to the the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

A year ago, former Bulgarian Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov suggested the Tsum buliding accommodate the National History Museum, but however the idea was not implemented.

Georgi Gergov, who has interests in tourism, the light industry and communications, is known to be a personal friend of former Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.

Gergov is majority owner of International Plovdiv Fair, among others. He acquired Tsum in 2004 from Reagent Pacific Group for the aount of EUR 20 M. Currently, the Sofia Central Department Store is owned by his two sons.