Description:
In 2010, campaigners from the national media group Standart initiated the Wonders of Bulgaria. The campaign aims to preserve and promote both the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Bulgaria by raising awareness of its quality amongst its own citizens and throughout the world. The activities include the organisation of tours, debates and other events; the production of publications and exhibitions; and the campaigning for the recognition of Bulgarian cultural heritage at international level. The campaign in favour of Bulgaria’s cultural heritage has coincided with a 20% increase in tourism to Bulgaria in the last 7 years. From 2010 to 2017, 50 discussions were organised on the Wonders of Bulgaria in cities across the country to promote the cultural and historical heritage of the respective regions, to initiate the establishment of cultural and historical routes, and to assist the development of cultural and historical tourism. These discussions were attended by representatives of the government, the municipalities, businesses and non-profit organisations. As a result of these forums, 20 new routes for cultural and historical tourism were established, which are now successfully offered by the Bulgarian tour operators. The campaigners have also promoted the nomination of Bulagaria’s intangible cultural heritage as World Heritage. The tradition of carpet-making in Chiprovtsi, which was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014, and the Festival of folklore in Koprivshtitsa, which was inscribed on the UNESCO Register of Good Safeguarding Practices in 2016 are two successful examples of this campaigning.