Museums in Japan, France, and Spain have been keen to arrange the visit of the unique Thracian mask found recently near the Shipka Peak in Bulgaria.

The National Museum of Archaeology in Sofia is currently hosting a public exhibition of the precious finding to last till September 22. It shows also ancient vessels imaging Hercules, Priapus and maenads, a unique silver chain armour, silver and bronze vessels, a sword and a unique phial with grips.

Archeologists hope to find the sum of about BGN 25,000 needed for the restoration of the precious artifacts to be able to exhibit them again in end year.

Meanwhile, the enthusiasm and interest toward the mask was overshadowed by a scandal between Sofia and the town of Kazanlak in the roundabouts of which the mask was revealed.

According to the municipality of Kazanlak, the mask believed to be of the ancient Thracian King Seutus III should stay in the local museum, thus boosting the development of tourism in the region.

On the other side, Sofia insists that the mask belongs and represents the history of Bulgaria and should be exhibited in national museums.