Prof. Dr. Svetla Dimitrova, chair of the Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM and director of the Etar Museum, called on museum directors to be bolder in presenting cultural heritage, which, in her opinion, not only has value but also has the potential to attract revenue, and Bulgaria is a unique place with its unbroken historical continuity.

This happened during her speech at a working meeting with museum representatives at the Boris Hristov House of Culture in Plovdiv, where the “Vision for the Development of Cultural Tourism in Bulgaria” was presented. The meeting was chaired by Minister Miroslav Borshosh.

The official guests at the event were Kiril Valchev, Director General of the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA), Milen Mitev, Director General of Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), Plamen Panov, Deputy Mayor for Culture, Archaeology, and Tourism of Plovdiv, Executive Director of the Regional Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Southeast Europe under the auspices of UNESCO Dr. Irena Todorova, Chair of the Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM Prof. Svetla Dimitrova, Chair of the Bulgarian Museums Association Dr. Ognyan Todorov, and others.

The meeting began with remarks by outgoing Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh, who emphasized that regardless of future political leadership, cultural tourism should be at the center of thematic priorities in the new year. He recalled that Bulgaria has long developed mainly in the direction of summer and partly winter tourism, but the latest data show a sharp increase in domestic travel.

The Director General of the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency, Kiril Valchev, pointed out that BTA is the natural information platform for Bulgarian cultural institutions. He recalled the creation of the LIK editorial office, which systematically covers cultural life in Bulgaria and around the world, and shared that the agency already has agreements with 12 museums and galleries that regularly provide their programs and events.

Dr. Ognyan Todorov from the Bulgarian Museums Association outlined the organization’s three main priorities: including 49 municipal museums in the state financial framework, improving conditions and retaining specialists, and securing stable funding for project activities.