HERITAGE AT RISK
NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

The preservation of Bulgaria’s cultural and historic heritage is extremely complex and responsible task within the ongoing transitional process of social development. The adequate solution of this task is exposed to risk, due to its organization, the reactions it provoked and interventions at professional level. After considering the signals and opinions of peers, individuals and the media and critically evaluating a number of facts (damage of historic landscapes, located in or outside populated areas, dilapidated monasteries, destruction of monuments from the middle and second half of the 20th century, a number of sites being excluded from the regular reports), the Union of Architects in Bulgaria (UAB) took a decision for launching Heritage at Risk National Campaign This campaign of UAB contributes to expanding the UNESCO programme of the same name, undertaken by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). UAB is going to interact closely with the Bulgarian National Committee (BNC) of ICOMOS within the course of the campaign.

The Heritage at Risk National Campaign is aimed at the following:
1) Professional discussion, focused on the complex issues of heritage, related to its security, exposition and socialization.
2) Stimulation of the necessary changes in the overall state organization of activities, related to the above issues.
3) Establishing contacts and cooperation with NGOs and civil associations, involved in the above issues, as well as with the municipal and state bodies.
4) Promotion, rasing the public awareness and assessing the current status of the above issues. Launching a public debate on the heritage-related issues.

3.1. Objective 1 Subprogramme: Professional discussion

3.1.1. Commissioning UAB regional associations to hold regional discussions
3.1.2. Discussion to be held at the central office of UAB – organized by ADON – Restoration and Architectural Heritage Club (with the participation of the BNC of ICOMOS, DOCOMOMO – Bulgaria, a representative of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and the National Institute of Monuments and Culture (NIMC), the Association of Restorers, etc.)
3.1.3. Focus discussion of Sofia-based young architects: The Problems of Heritage in Sofia
3.1.4. Discussion The Treatment of Heritage in Urban Development Plans – Club of Urbanists, Union of Scientists in Bulgaria, representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW), MCT, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MEW).
3.1.5. Student discussion: The Problems of Heritage in Architectural Education (to be held in cooperation with the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG))
3.1.6. Creative discussion with leading designers: The Role of the Dialogue between Designers and Investors in view of Heritage Security and Development of Cultural Identity in Architecture (in cooperation with The National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB))

3.2. Objective 2 Subprogramme: Stimulation of the necessary changes in the overall organization:

3.2.1. Summarizing the conclusions and outcome of discussions – working group
3.2.2. Creating of a system of proposals on drafting the legal framework and regulations
3.2.3. Creating of a system of proposals on the priority tasks of executive authorities.

3.3. Objective 3 Subprogramme: Establishing contacts and cooperation with NGOs and civil associations

3.3.1. Coordination of the programme and development of a system for cooperation with the BNC of ICOMOS and DOCOMOMO - Bulgaria
3.3.2. Establishing contacts aimed at implementing the programme and forms of cooperation with the NAMRB
3.3.3. Opinion poll conducted by the existing NGOs and civil associations, involved in the heritage issues: conducting a national meeting of NGOs and civil associations

3.4. Objective 4 Subprogramme: Promotion and public assessment

3.4.1. Organizing press conferences; stimulation of publication activities; establishing the Investigative Journalism Award, related to the specific problem
3.4.2. Conducting opinion polls among architects and individuals, related to the specific problem
3.4.3. Organizing a sequence of meetings with the students from Sofia University Kliment Ohridski, New Bulgarian University (NBU), UACEG, University of Forestry (UF), National Art Academy (NAA), Varna Free University Chernorizets Hrabar , etc.
3.4.4. Publication of “The Red Book – Heritage at Risk”, Volume I – 2005.

UAB, BNC – ICOMOS, DOCOMOMO - Bulgaria Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria (CAB) MCT, MRDPW, MEW NAMRB, etc.

The UAB will approach the European Commission, cultural missions of European countries, MCT, MRDPW, etc.

*UAB Coordination group in charge of the Heritage at Risk National Campaign: arch. Dr. Todor Bulev - Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board of UAB; arch. Georgi Labov – Chairman of UAB Controlling Committee (tel. 943 83 21); arch. Elissaveta Kurshumova (tel. 943 82 85), arch. Krassimira Vassileva (tel. 987 82 85), arch. Yavor Bankov (tel. 943 83 87; 0898 509 947)