Regional Centre Sofia - UNESCO

04/08/2026

🇬🇧 The first nominees for the ŽIVA Award 2026 for Best Slavic Museum and Heritage Site have been announced.

The awards recognize institutions from the region for their contribution to the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage. The conference and the official award ceremony will take place in Bled, Slovenia, from 30 September to 3 October 2026.

The list of the first nominated institutions and details about the event can be found in the original post below. 👇

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🇧🇬 Обявени са първите номинации за наградите ŽIVA 2026 за най-добър славянски музей и обект на културното наследство.

Отличието се присъжда на институции от региона за техния принос към опазването и популяризирането на културното наследство. Конференцията и официалната церемония по награждаването ще се проведат в Блед, Словения, в периода 30 септември - 3 октомври 2026 г.

Списъкът с първите номинирани институции и подробности за събитието са достъпни в оригиналната публикация. 👇

04/08/2026

🌍 We are thrilled to share snapshots from the second edition of our Erasmus+ Youth Exchange "Youth and Intangible Cultural Heritage" (Group II: 26 - 31 July 2026) in Gabrovo, Bulgaria!

Once again, 30 enthusiastic young people from 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇷🇴 Romania, and 🇹🇷 Türkiye have gathered for an unforgettable journey into Europe's living traditions, sharing knowledge, creativity, and intercultural dialogue.

📚 Day 1 started by diving into the world of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). We explored the true meaning of living heritage and discussed how ancestral traditions, skills, and customs remain vital to modern communities.

💬 To get to know each other, we played a lively game of Heritage Bingo. It was a fantastic icebreaker that sparked conversations about local crafts, music, dialects, and family rituals.

🧼 The afternoon was dedicated to our very first practical session: traditional soap-making. Participants learned the historic background of this craft and worked with natural ingredients to design and create their own personalized, handmade soaps.

Achaia Adult Education Institute
Tavo Europa
Sosyal Sorumlulukta Kalite Derneği - SSKD

ЕТЪР - Етнографски музей на открито / ETAR - Ethnographic Open Air Museum

31/07/2026

🇬🇧 Türkiye will host the 49th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which will be held in Istanbul from 27 June to 7 July 2027.

"Hosting the 49th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in İstanbul is both an honour and a significant responsibility for Türkiye. This achievement reflects Türkiye's longstanding commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage and its active engagement with UNESCO's heritage programmes, a dedication that is equally evident in the field of intangible cultural heritage. We hope this session will further strengthen international cooperation and dialogue for the protection of our shared heritage."

Ahmet Erman Aral, PhD

Representative of the Republic of Türkiye to the General Assembly of the Regional Centre Sofia - UNESCO
Vice President of the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO
Professor at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

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🇧🇬 Турция ще бъде домакин на 49-ата сесия на Комитета за световно наследство на ЮНЕСКО, която ще се проведе в Истанбул в периода 27 юни - 7 юли 2027 г.

"Домакинството на 49-ата сесия на Комитета за световно наследство на ЮНЕСКО в Истанбул е едновременно чест и значима отговорност за Република Турция. Това постижение е израз на дългогодишната ангажираност на Турция с опазването на културното наследство и на активното ѝ участие в програмите на ЮНЕСКО в областта на наследството - отдаденост, която е също толкова ясно проявена и в сферата на нематериалното културно наследство. Надяваме се, че тази сесия ще допринесе за по-нататъшното укрепване на международното сътрудничество и диалог в името на опазването на нашето споделено наследство."

Д-р Ахмет Ерман Арал

Представител на Република Турция в Общото събрание на Регионален център - ЮНЕСКО
Заместник-председател на Турската национална комисия за ЮНЕСКО
Професор в Университета Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

29/07/2026

🌎 The final days of our Erasmus+ Youth Exchange (Group I: 19 - 24 July 2026) were filled with unforgettable experiences, cultural discoveries, and hands-on learning!

🏘️ The participants explored the beautiful heritage villages of Bozhentsi and Tryavna, where they enjoyed guided tours and discovered Bulgaria's rich history and traditions.

✒️ In Bozhentsi, everyone had the chance to step back in time and experience traditional writing with feather quills, bringing history to life in a unique and memorable way.

💬 The following day began with participants proudly presenting examples of the intangible cultural heritage from their own countries, sharing traditions, crafts, customs, and stories that make each culture unique.

🧱 In the afternoon, we got creative during a workshop with Mestra, learning about traditional clay construction techniques and the importance of preserving these valuable craftsmanship skills.

The day ended with our second intercultural evening, where participants from Greece 🇬🇷, Türkiye 🇹🇷, and Lithuania 🇱🇹 proudly presented their cultures through traditional food, music, dances, and customs, creating another memorable celebration of diversity and friendship.

ЕТЪР - Етнографски музей на открито / ETAR - Ethnographic Open Air Museum
БОЖЕНЦИ-Музей на архитектурно-исторически резерват "Боженци"
Специализиран музей - Трявна / Tryavna Museum, Bulgaria
Мещра

The Hives Project
Tavo Europa
Sosyal Sorumlulukta Kalite Derneği - SSKD

28/07/2026

🇧🇬 Габрово ще бъде домакин на Годишната среща на подмрежата „Занаяти и фолклорно изкуство“ на ЮНЕСКО в периода 16 - 20 септември 2026 г.

Международният форум ще събере делегати от 80 града в 55 държави за обмяна на опит и политики в сферата на традиционните умения и съвременното творчество.
Темата на тазгодишното издание е „Изграждане на мирен свят чрез човешкото творчество“.

Пълната информация за предстоящото събитие и неговата програма е достъпна в оригиналната публикация. 👇

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🇬🇧 Gabrovo will host the Annual Meeting of the UNESCO "Crafts and Folk Art" sub-network from the 16th to 20th of September 2026.

The international forum will convene delegates from 80 cities across 55 countries to exchange policies and practices in the field of traditional skills and contemporary creativity.
The theme of the event is "Building a peaceful world through human creativity."

Full details regarding the upcoming event and its programme are available in the original post. 👇

Тази международна платформа обединява 80 града от 55 държави, превръщайки направлението за традиционни умения в една от най-бързо развиващите се общности на ЮНЕСКО.

25/07/2026

🇬🇧 Dimitsana, Greece | 26 - 30 July 2026

The Regional Centre Sofia - UNESCO continues its capacity-building programme with the upcoming workshop "Developing Plans for the Safeguarding of Living Heritage. Crafts".

The workshop is organized within the framework of the 7th Summer School on the Cultural Values of Rural Space, hosted by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture (Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού), Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage (Διεύθυνση Νεότερης Πολιτιστικής Κληρονομιάς), in partnership with the Regional Centre Sofia - UNESCO, the Dimitsana Conference and Cultural Center (Συνεδριακό Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο Δημητσάνας), the Region of Peloponnese (Περιφέρεια Πελοποννήσου - Region of Peloponnese), the Municipality of Gortynia (Δήμος Γορτυνίας - Municipality of Gortynia), the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation (Πολιτιστικό Ίδρυμα Ομίλου Πειραιώς), the MainalonTrail Cooperative and other local supporting entities.

The programme will provide participants with a dynamic learning environment, seamlessly combining classroom sessions with practical, field-based learning, including visits to the iconic silversmithing workshops of Stemnitsa and the traditional stone-building masonry crafts of Lagadia.

The workshop will be delivered by Ms. Ioana Baskerville and Mr. Julio Sa Rego, distinguished facilitators from the UNESCO global network. Their expertise will guide participants in applying contemporary safeguarding strategies and the operational mechanisms of the 2003 Convention to address the challenges of traditional craftsmanship.

📅 26 - 30 July 2026
📍 Dimitsana Conference and Cultural Center, Greece

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🇧🇬 Димицана, Гърция | 26 - 30 юли 2026 г.

Регионален център - ЮНЕСКО продължава своята програма за изграждане на капацитет с провеждането на обучение "Разработване на планове за опазване на живото наследство. Занаяти".

Семинарът се организира в рамките на 7-ото Лятно училище за културни ценности на селското пространство, домакин на което е Министерство на културата на Гърция, Дирекция „Съвременно културно наследство“, в партньорство с Регионален център - ЮНЕСКО, Конферентен и културен център на Димицана, Регион Пелопонес, Община Гортиния, Културна фондация на групата "Пиреос Банк", кооператив MainalonTrail, както и с други местни подкрепящи организации.

Програмата ще предложи на участниците динамична среда за обмен на знания, съчетавайки теоретични сесии с практическо обучение на терен, включително посещения на емблематичните работилници за среброобработка в Стемница и традиционно каменоделство в Лага̀дия.

Семинарът ще бъде ръководен от г-жа Йоана Баскервил и г-н Хулио Са Рего, утвърдени фасилитатори от глобалната мрежа на ЮНЕСКО. Тяхната експертиза ще подпомогне участниците в прилагането на съвременните стратегии и механизми на Конвенцията от 2003 г. за опазване на традиционните занаяти.

📅 26 - 30 юли 2026 г.
📍 Конферентен и културен център, Димицана, Гърция

22/07/2026

🌍 Our Erasmus+ Youth Exchange "Youth and Intangible Cultural Heritage" (Group I: 19 - 24 July 2026) has officially begun in Gabrovo, Bulgaria!

Over the past two days, 30 young participants from 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇷🇴 Romania, and 🇹🇷 Türkiye have come together to explore, experience, and celebrate Europe's living cultural heritage through learning, creativity, and intercultural exchange.

📚 Day 1 began with an introduction to Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), discovering what living heritage is, why it is important, and how traditions, knowledge, skills, and customs continue to shape our communities today.

💬 To break the ice, participants took part in a Heritage Bingo, sharing stories about traditional crafts, family traditions, languages, music, and cultural customs.

🧼 The afternoon brought our first hands-on craft workshop, where participants explored the fascinating history of traditional soap-making and learned how this craft has been passed down through generations. Using natural ingredients and their own creativity, everyone designed and created beautiful handmade soaps to take home.

🌱 Day 2 focused on the role of communities in safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. Through an interactive presentation, participants learned why preserving living heritage is a shared responsibility.

🤝 They then stepped into the shoes of different stakeholders during a role-play simulation, negotiating how to protect a cultural tradition on the verge of disappearing. Representing local communities, artisans, institutions, and decision-makers, they experienced firsthand the challenges and importance of working together to keep traditions alive.

🧶 Creativity continued in the afternoon with a traditional felt needlework workshop, where participants discovered the basics of felting and designed their own unique handmade creations. The activity offered a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the patience, craftsmanship, and artistic expression behind this traditional technique.

The first Intercultural Night also took place, where the 🇧🇬 Bulgarian and 🇷🇴 Romanian teams proudly presented their countries through traditional food, folk dances, and cultural traditions. They also shared stories about their history, creating a wonderful opportunity to learn from one another and celebrate our cultural heritage.

These first two days have already been filled with new friendships, inspiring discussions, creative workshops, and unforgettable cultural exchanges. And this is just the beginning!

Stay with us as we continue discovering the rich world of Intangible Cultural Heritage throughout the week!

Asociația Timbru de Bucovina / Stamp of Bukovina
The Hives Project
Tavo Europa
Sosyal Sorumlulukta Kalite Derneği - SSKD
ЕТЪР - Етнографски музей на открито / ETAR - Ethnographic Open Air Museum

14/07/2026

On July 15 the WeCreate Study Visit kicks off in Varna as part of the Dinamic Danube project. Dr. Mirena Staneva, expert at the Regional Centre Sofia - UNESCO, will be a featured speaker. Alongside Dr. Miglena Gerasimova, she will explore the intersections of cultural heritage, innovation, and sustainable urban development.

Find out more about the upcoming exchange of knowledge, policies, and best practices in the original post below. 👇

12/07/2026

📸 The deadline for the UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest has been extended!

This year's theme: "Living Heritage Along the Silk Roads."

If you are between 14 and 25 years old, don't miss the chance to share your unique perspective on the living traditions, knowledge, and cultural practices that connect communities.

Find out how to submit your entry by 28 July in the original post below.👇

📸 Deadline extended! UNESCO is extending the call for the 2026 Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest.

Young people aged 14–25 are invited to submit original photographs exploring this year's theme: "Living Heritage Along the Silk Roads."

The featured photograph, "Traditional Shandong Embroidery, China", by Fenghao Yu (China), is one example of how photography can capture the living traditions, knowledge and cultural practices that continue to connect communities along the Silk Roads.

🗓️ New deadline: 28 July 2026.

🔗 Learn more and submit your entry: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/deadline-extended-join-2026-youth-eyes-silk-roads-photo-contest

📷 © Fenghao Yu / UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads

09/07/2026

🇧🇬 Официално стартира подготовката за юбилейното XX издание на Международния панаир на традиционните занаяти в РЕМО „Етър“.

С оглед на ефективната реализация на събитието, стратегическото планиране бе поверено на новосъздаден Организационен комитет. Неговата роля е да обедини експертизата на държавните институции, културния сектор, научните среди и медиите в името на една обща кауза - устойчивото развитие и популяризиране на нематериалното културно наследство.

В първото работно заседание на експертния орган се включиха кметът на Община Габрово Таня Христова, представители на Министерство на културата и на Министерство на туризма, както и изпълнителният директор на Регионален център - ЮНЕСКО Ирена Тодорова. Институционалната и научна подкрепа бе затвърдена и от присъствието на генералния директор на БТА Кирил Вълчев, председателя на Националната занаятчийска камара Иван Влаев и доц. д-р Иглика Мишкова от ИЕФЕМ при БАН.

🔗 Повече детайли за стратегическата визия на комитета можете да прочетете тук:

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🇬🇧 The official preparations for the 20th edition of the International Fair of Traditional Crafts at the "Etar" Regional Open-Air Ethnographic Museum have officially begun.

To ensure the successful implementation of the event, its strategic planning has been entrusted to a newly established Organizing Committee. Its role is to unite the expertise of state institutions, the cultural sector, academia, and the media in pursuit of a common cause - the sustainable development and promotion of intangible cultural heritage.

The initial working meeting of this expert body brought together the Mayor of Gabrovo Municipality, Tanya Hristova, representatives from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, and the Executive Director of the Regional Centre Sofia - UNESCO, Irena Todorova. The institutional and scientific support was further solidified by the presence of the Director General of the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA), Kiril Valchev, the Chairman of the National Chamber of Crafts, Ivan Vlaev, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iglika Mishkova from the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with Ethnographic Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IEFEM-BAS).

🔗 Read more details about the strategic vision of the Committee here:

#БТА #Етър

Регионалният етнографски музей на открито „Етър“ започна подготовката за XX юбилейно издание на Международния панаир на традиционните занаяти, което ще се състои...