Innovative practices in Bulgaria
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European Culture Heritage Days 2000
Municipality of Elena
Background
The initiative of the Council of Europe European Heritage Days (EHD) have taken place each year since 1991. Recognized as an institution in 1991 the event aims at provoking a most diverse audience with ideas for protecting cultural heritage, as well as to improve knowledge on European identity not only in cultural, but in social, economic and political aspect. Since then, the event has gained outstanding importance, regarding participant countries and number of visitors to monuments. Elena municipality is a centre of significant cultural traditions and there are many monuments in the area. The municipality has welcomed the event in any sense, because of the opportunity to promote its cultural heritage in the context of diverse European traditions and to bring up to visitors the feelings of understanding, respect and integration.
The initiative of the Council of Europe European Heritage Days (EHD) have taken place each year since 1991. Recognized as an institution in 1991 the event aims at provoking a most diverse audience with ideas for protecting cultural heritage, as well as to improve knowledge on European identity not only in cultural, but in social, economic and political aspect. Since then, the event has gained outstanding importance, regarding participant countries and number of visitors to monuments. Elena municipality is a centre of significant cultural traditions and there are many monuments in the area. The municipality has welcomed the event in any sense, because of the opportunity to promote its cultural heritage in the context of diverse European traditions and to bring up to visitors the feelings of understanding, respect and integration.
Practice
Some preliminary meetings were arranged between mayor Dilyan Mlazev with several NGOs from the municipality: Elena in XXI century , Vasil Levski , Elena Art 2000 , Museum Vazrajhdane Museum, Children Complex, Tourist society Choumerna , pensioner s club, and culture centre (chitalishte) Napredak . There were discussions about different ideas for EHD, appropriate sharing of responsibilities, preparation, and organization. Five trails for visitors have been defined, two of them being launched for the first time.
The cultural trail Art Crafts with three new sites opened on 20 August 2001. The cultural and historical trail Elena Kapinovski Monastery was also organized for the first time. The event turned into a profound happening for more than 200 people. All visitors were welcomed in the monastery and blessed for health, peace, love and welfare. This tradition of the citizens of Elena has been renewed for the first time since 150 years. According to the records people had visited two monasteries Plakovski and Kapinovski Monasteries. The worship in 2001 has re-established it again as a traditional event.
Three other cultural trails comprise: Museum Complex visited in that period by more than 600 people (150 foreigners); cultural trail of the Green School in Mijkovtzi; the days of the Balkan Mountains with over 1000 participants.
The European Heritage Days in 2000 concluded with an official ceremony on 16 September in the Museum Complex. The flag of the European Heritage Days was raised under the sounds of the European hymn by the Mayor of the municipality. A short concert marked the closing part. A photographic exhibition presented memorable moments and different events during the European Heritage Days Program. At the end the historical sacred image of St. Nikola was solemnly returned to the St. Nikola Church after a long absence.
Some preliminary meetings were arranged between mayor Dilyan Mlazev with several NGOs from the municipality: Elena in XXI century , Vasil Levski , Elena Art 2000 , Museum Vazrajhdane Museum, Children Complex, Tourist society Choumerna , pensioner s club, and culture centre (chitalishte) Napredak . There were discussions about different ideas for EHD, appropriate sharing of responsibilities, preparation, and organization. Five trails for visitors have been defined, two of them being launched for the first time.
The cultural trail Art Crafts with three new sites opened on 20 August 2001. The cultural and historical trail Elena Kapinovski Monastery was also organized for the first time. The event turned into a profound happening for more than 200 people. All visitors were welcomed in the monastery and blessed for health, peace, love and welfare. This tradition of the citizens of Elena has been renewed for the first time since 150 years. According to the records people had visited two monasteries Plakovski and Kapinovski Monasteries. The worship in 2001 has re-established it again as a traditional event.
Three other cultural trails comprise: Museum Complex visited in that period by more than 600 people (150 foreigners); cultural trail of the Green School in Mijkovtzi; the days of the Balkan Mountains with over 1000 participants.
The European Heritage Days in 2000 concluded with an official ceremony on 16 September in the Museum Complex. The flag of the European Heritage Days was raised under the sounds of the European hymn by the Mayor of the municipality. A short concert marked the closing part. A photographic exhibition presented memorable moments and different events during the European Heritage Days Program. At the end the historical sacred image of St. Nikola was solemnly returned to the St. Nikola Church after a long absence.
Results
A large number of citizens in Elena Municipality have been engaged with the exceptional value of religious and cultural heritage and inspired with the idea of its protection and understanding. The community, drawing upon its traditions, has demonstrated a new approach, building a sensitive, mature and civilized attitude towards cultural heritage.
A large number of citizens in Elena Municipality have been engaged with the exceptional value of religious and cultural heritage and inspired with the idea of its protection and understanding. The community, drawing upon its traditions, has demonstrated a new approach, building a sensitive, mature and civilized attitude towards cultural heritage.
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