Bulgaria takes part in this initiative for the 19th time. Over 360 events will be held in Bulgaria in September and October in more than 70 municipalities in 27 districts. The European Heritage Days are a very popular event in Europe.
For the first time they were held in France in 1984 on the initiative of the Minister of Culture Jack Lang. Since 1991 till present, they are known as the European Heritage Days and are organized by the Council of Europe and the European Commission. They enable the European citizens, who wish to visit prestigious sights, that are usually with limited access, to do so, and also help raise awareness of the cultural heritage protection.
As a national coordinator of the days the Ministry of Culture in Bulgaria announced the theme of this year’s edition in the country - "Cultural Heritage and Information Society". It brought to the attention of the Bulgarian citizens a National Calendar with events, prepared in cooperation with the municipal administrations, local museums, galleries, libraries, theaters, NGOs and others.
The program of the European Heritage Days 2016 in Sofia was prepared by the Ministry of Culture, the French Institute and the Sofia Municipality. During the 17th and the 18th of September in the capital, over 30 important administrative buildings, part of our past and present, opened their doors to visitors. Specialists told the visitors about their history and importance. This year the first day of the event coincided with the Day of Sofia and hence many other initiatives were included in the program - concerts, performances and festivals.
The official celebrations on the occasion of the European Heritage Days 2016 in Bulgaria were held in Sandanski from the 16th to the 18th of September. Together with the municipal administration, the Ministry of Culture organized a national workshop and information session, bringing together specialists from different fields, researchers, museum workers and local government representatives from several areas in the country. With the assistance of the Archaeological Museum in the city, the traditional "Inheritance Classes" took place, which aims to encourage the young people's interest in cultural heritage and to engage them in its preservation. Everyone who was interested, of course, had the opportunity to experience the cultural richness of Sandanski and for this purpose the admission to museums and the cultural sites of the city was free.
Photo: "Diplomatic spectrum"
The archaeological site "Early Christian Complex" in Sandanski
