Balkan Heritage Foundation

02/05/2026

Уважаеми колеги, фондация "Балканско наследство" има удоволствието да Ви покани на онлайн семинара "Опазване и устойчиво управление на българското културно наследство, включено в списъка на световното наследство и индикативната листа.".

Повече информация за семинара и как да се регистрирате за участие може да намерите тук:

Balkan Heritage Foundation conducts practical training in the preservation and management of UNESCO cultural heritage sites in Bulgaria.

30/04/2026

The 7th Plenary Meeting took place in Malta on 20–21 April 2026, bringing together project partners to review progress and align the final stages of implementation. The meeting provided an important platform for coordination, ensuring that all activities remain on track and contribute effectively to the project’s overall objectives.

As BHF, we presented an update on WP4, highlighting the strong progress achieved across the training activities. To date, 10 trainings have been successfully delivered across the three hubs and 2 are in progress at the moment, engaging a wide range of participants and building essential skills in underwater cultural heritage and blue technologies. The session also outlined the final steps toward completing the remaining activities, reporting, and deliverables.

The meeting reaffirmed the collaborative spirit of the consortium and marked an important milestone as the project moves into its final phase, focusing on impact, sustainability, and long-term results.

28/04/2026

BHF Hosts American Institute for Roman Culture representatives in Sofia

Senior representatives from the American Institute for Roman Culture (AIRC) Ancient Rome Live explored Sofia on April 18, 2026 for a work visit hosted by the Balkan Heritage Foundation. Dr. Darius Aria, Director of AIRC, and Dr. Jeanne Marie Teutonico, an international consultant in architectural conservation and former Associate Director of the Getty Conservation Institute, were welcomed by BHF CEO Ivan Vasilev and Program Director Dr. Angela Pencheva.

https://balkanheritage.org/american-institute-roman-culture-representatives-sofia/

The visit combined professional exchange with a guided tour of the capital’s urban core to explore the remains of the Roman city of Serdica – visible vestiges of the ancient settlement that underpins modern Sofia.

The Balkan Heritage Foundation hosted representatives from the American Institute for Roman Culture in Sofia.

27/04/2026

Stobi celebrates the conservation of the Theodosian Palace (4th–6th c. CE) with ministerial visitors and international partners.

31/03/2026

Имаме удоволствието да Ви поканим в петък на изложбата на нашия румънски колега К. Константин в Етнографския музей в Пловдив посветена на братя Манаки. Нашият екип съдейства за връзката между автора на изложбата и Музея, като е изключително доволен да види реализиран резултата от това ново сътрудничество.

LINK Авдела / Avdela Родното място на братята Манаки Янаки и Милтън Манаки са родени във влашко овчарско семейство…Read more Мецово / Aminciu: Наследство от елегантност и устойч...

26/03/2026

We’ve shared so much with you about Stobi / Стоби over time, its stunning architecture, intricate mosaics, and grand temples. But did you know that Stobi is also home to an extraordinary team of conservators who breathe new life into thousands of ceramic fragments?

For over a decade, the Balkan Heritage Field School, in partnership with NI Stobi, has been running specialized workshops dedicated to the conservation of Roman and Late Roman pottery. Participants work alongside expert conservators gaining hands-on experience in preserving the city’s rich history.

Stobi’s strategic location at a major crossroads made it a melting pot of cultures and trade routes connecting the Aegean with Central Europe. This diversity is beautifully reflected in its pottery.

The collection includes:

Local Traditions: Distinctive handmade wares with roots stretching back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as a unique wheel-made gray ware that was a regional specialty.

Imported Treasures: Fine tableware and amphorae that traveled from as far as Italy and Asia Minor, telling the story of Stobi’s economic prosperity.

Unique Finds: Excavations have also uncovered a rare 1st-century AD pottery kiln and even figurines depicting soldiers and gladiators, discovered for the first time at Stobi.

During these intensive workshops, students begin by practicing on replica vessels before progressing to work on authentic 2,000-year-old artifacts. They learn the meticulous process of cleaning, reconstructing, and documenting each fragment, giving modern audiences a window into the daily lives of the people who once lived there.

Apply now: https://www.bhfieldschool.org/program/roman-pottery-glass-conservation-course

17/03/2026

✨ Нов подкаст епизод! (Линк в коментарите)

🎧 Слушайте ЕП 25 • Ловци на фрески • С участието на Ivan Vasilev, основател и изп. директор на фондация „Балканско наследство“ - Balkan Heritage Foundation.

📨 Невидимата крепост достига до слушателите основно по имейл, така че не пропускайте да се абонирате за имейл бюлетина на подкаста. (От същия линк в коментарите)

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ЛОВЦИТЕ СЕ ИЗКАЧВАТ по кози пътеки, по време на планински преходи, „въоръжени“ с фотоапарати, за да документират стенописите на средновековни църкви и манастири.

В този епизод на Невидимата крепост ще се отправим към региона на р. Нишава, от двете страни на българо-сръбската граница, защото именно там се провежда експедицията за „лов на фрески“ като част от Balkan Heritage Field School на фондация „Балканско наследство“. Вече над 15 години, уникалният ѝ формат съчетава прецизността на научно-изследователска задача с ентусиазма на теренно обучение.

За да разберем кои са ловците и как „ловят“ фреските, поканих Иван Василев, основател и изп. директор на фондация „Балканско наследство“. Той е ерудиран събеседник с интереси по средновековна археология, история на Балканите и история на изкуството на християнския изток.

В епизода говорим за:

✅ Очарованието на средновековното християнско наследство от двете страни на граница със Сърбия.
✅ Даваме идеи за ревитализация на този, иначе позападнал регион.
✅ Говорим още за нови технологии за документиране на стенописи.
✅ За ентусиазмът на участниците (и кога той отсъства), както и за неочакваните плодове от практиката.

Приятно слушане!

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На снимката: Петър Петров (ляво) и Иван Василев (дясно) в Mansa Studio, София.

13/02/2026

Подкрепа от Saké за професионалното развитие в областта на културното наследство

С благодарност информираме за дарение, което получихме от Saké - организация за електронна музика и музикални събития на уникални културни локации в България. Това което те правят на сцената не приключва с последния трак. В резултат на събитието им на 7 септември, 2025 г. във Велико Търново пред портите на крепостта Царевец, Саке събра 616 евро, които дари на Фондацията в подкрепа на участието на български музеен специалист в образователните проекти на Фондацията през 2026 г. С тази сума те сложиха начало на фонд за стипендии, с които Фондацията желае да насърчи създаването на нови капацитети сред пазителите на културното наследство на Балканите. От техните знания и умения зависи нашето наследство, а от нашата грижа към тях зависи те да го запазят и предадат на бъдещите поколения.

Музиката събира хората, но и дава нови посоки отвъд непосредствените преживявания. Благодарим Ви, Saké, че показвате как изкуството и удоволствието могат да “бият” в един ритъм със социалната отговорност.

Support for Professional Development in Cultural Heritage

We are grateful to announce a donation from Saké, an organization that brings electronic music and live events to Bulgaria’s unique cultural sites. Following their event on September 7, 2025, in Veliko Tarnovo, in front of the gates of the Tsarevets Fortress, Saké raised and donated €616 to the Foundation to support the participation of a Bulgarian museum professional in our 2026 educational programs.

This gift launches a scholarship fund through which the Foundation seeks to build professional capacity among cultural heritage practitioners across the Balkans. The preservation and transmission of our shared heritage depend on their expertise — and on the support we provide today.

Music brings people together and can open pathways beyond the moment. Thank you, Saké, for showing how art and enjoyment can move in step with social responsibility.

03/02/2026

Widening the Big Blue Horizon
2nd International Conference
Innovative Practices and Policy Pathways for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage

3-4 December 2026 │ Cultural Centre “Sea Casino”, Burgas, Bulgaria (Hybrid)

Abstract Submission Deadline Extended

To accommodate colleagues who require additional time, we are extending the Call for Papers for the 2nd International Conference “Widening the Big Blue Horizon.”

The new deadline for abstract submissions is 15 February 2026.

This two-week extension provides a final opportunity for researchers and professionals to contribute to the conference programme. We welcome submissions on underwater cultural heritage, maritime archaeology, innovative technologies, and sustainable management policy pathways.

More information: https://bcthubs.eu/conference2026/

27/01/2026

Launch of the Blue Heritage Innovators Program
As part of the BCThubs project, we are excited to launch the Blue Heritage Innovators entrepreneurial mentoring program, designed to empower the next generation of changemakers in the blue and cultural economy.
If you have an IDEA, PROJECT, or STARUP related to underwater cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, marine conservation, or blue culture innovations, this program is for you.

Blue Heritage Innovators is a 12-week hybrid mentoring program organized by the Bulgarian Hub under the BCThubs project, aiming to support innovative ideas in three focus areas.

The program is suitable for entrepreneurs, startups, researchers, students, divers, and cultural heritage professionals - both teams and individuals.

Format: Hybrid program combining online sessions with an immersive in-person bootcamp in Sozopol, Bulgaria.
Cost: Participation is completely free.
Language: The working language of the program is English.
Support: Receive expert mentorship, network with peers and industry leaders, and gain crucial skills in business development and sustainability.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
Application form link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0L5lCafSEAw5vUmkdLN5LeUjEY61yAZQqR8AnLfZoh1gNkA/viewform

More information: https://bcthubs.eu/blue-heritage-innovators/

Not for you? Please share this announcement. Someone in your community might have the perfect idea that needs this support to flourish. Underwater heritage and blue innovation ideas need collective support to reach their full potential and make a lasting impact.

25/12/2025

As we close another successful year, we look back with gratitude and a strong sense of accomplishment. We did a lot, and even more lies ahead for the Balkan Heritage Foundation.
In 2025, our field schools continued with great success. We delivered 20 field schools across Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Serbia, including three brand new programs: Zooarchaeology, Architectural Conservation, and the excavation program at Amzabegovo. Our activities took place at remarkable sites such as Yunatsite, Pistiros, Sozopol, Debelt, Nessebar, the Lower Danube region, Zakynthos, Sofia, Amzabegovo, Athens, and Stobi, welcoming nearly 240 students from around the world.
Our team and directors actively participated in several international forums and conferences, including the Heritage Forum, and we’ve also developed new collaborations with a range of educational institutions. Our project “New Heritage” was presented at the ICCM Conference in Athens, marking an important step in sharing our work with the international heritage community. At the same time, BCThubs progressed into its final phase. Within the work package we lead, 12 trainings were successfully delivered, including 4 held in Bulgaria. Building on this momentum, we are also preparing an international conference to be hosted in Burgas in 2026.
Our Toural program continues to develop successfully. The tourism-focused project “Living Laboratory” progressed with activities held in Nessebar in April, while the 3rd General Assembly took place in September in Zadar, Croatia, where BHF led the task on sustainability assessment and analysis of pilot regions.
The BEMA seminar series continued throughout the year, reaching over 100 online participants, and Phase 3 of the conservation of the Theodosian Palace in Stobi was successfully completed in partnership with Skillington Workshop, UK, with funding from the American Institute for Roman Culture, USA.
Finally, we are happy to share that two new publications are in their final stage and will be released at the beginning of 2026 as part of our growing catalogue.
Thank you to our partners, students, supporters, and friends. Happy Holidays!