On February the 6th, Mr. Blagovest Metodiev received his diploma for higher education – bachelor’s degree. The exciting ceremony was held at the Technical University, Sofia, block 2, hall 2140.

Mr. Blagovest Metodiev, Expert “Integration and socialization of people with disabilities” is an official representative of Sozopol Foundation to the League for Historic and Accessible Cities, European Foundation Center, Brussels. He is in constant contact with the operations team of the ESSL Foundation, an international non-governmental organization, founder and lead partner of the Zero Project.

Many NGOs from all over the world have joined the Zero Project.
Eng. Metodiev actively participates in the creation of a good organization for the implementation of an elevator for people with disabilities within the scope of the Cultural and Information Center, established by Sozopol Foundation on the territory of The Ancient Town of Apollonia National Archaeological Reserve, Sozopol.

At the Troyan Stavropigial Monastery of the Assumption, His Holiness Bishop Sionius – Abbot of the monastery and Mr. Cyril Arnautsky, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sozopol Foundation signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.

Taking into account that the Troyan Stavropigial Monastery of the Assumption and the Sozopol Foundation are organizations involved in the restoration and preservation of cultural tangible and intangible heritage, the Memorandum provides for cooperation in the development of projects related to the conservation, conservation, restoration of sites cultural heritage, Bulgarian Orthodox temples and monasteries, joint participation in the promotion of activities envisaged for funding under national and international programs and, including the submission of a Project Proposal for securing funding through participation in the Operational Program “Regions for Growth 2014-2020″.

On January 10, 2020, in Sozopol, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Municipality of Sozopol, represented by Mr. Tihomir Yanakiev, in his capacity as Mayor of the Municipality of Sozopol and Mr. Kiril Arnautski, Chairman of the Management Board of the Sozopol Foundation.

Considering that the Municipality of Sozopol and the Sozopol Foundation are active participants in activities related to the restoration and protection of the natural and cultural heritage, the provision of accessible environment for young children, the elderly and people with disabilities on the territory of the municipality, the Memorandum provides implementation of joint actions such as: adaptation, socialization, presentation, conservation, restoration of natural and cultural heritage, provision of accessible environment, in the development of projects envisaged for financing under the ionalni and international programs, including the submission of the project proposal to provide funding through participation under the “Regions in growth- 2014-2020.”

A national forum was held in the town of Shumen regarding the importance and development of art tourism in Bulgaria.

The forum is part of the thematic series “Bulgaria – the Hidden Art Destination” and was opened by Zam. Minister of Tourism – Mrs. Irena Georgieva.

She congratulated all participants in the forum on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Nikolina Angelkova, and presented the Ministry’s policies for the development of cultural tourism. Representatives of the tourism sector spoke at the forum.

Leading Bulgarian architects in the field of cultural tourism

International organizations actively involved in the preservation of cultural heritage and the development of all forms of tourism.

Mr Kirill Arnautski stressed that civil society should be involved in cultural heritage conservation activities. This is a guarantee for achieving sustainability in the development of cultural tourism and tourism in general.
Many more representatives of regional museums has spoken, as well as representatives of the civil sector.

At the Bachkovo Stavropigial Cloister “Assumption”, His Holiness Bishop Sionius, Abbot of the monastery and Mr. Kirill Arnautski, Chairman of the Board of the Sozopol Foundation signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.

The Memorandum provides:
– cooperation in the field of protection of the natural and cultural heritage, Bulgarian Orthodox temples and monasteries, as well as providing accessible environment for the elderly, children and people with disabilities;
– joint participation in the promotion of activities envisaged for funding under national and international programs, including the submission of a project proposal for financing through participation in Operational Program “Regions for Growth – 2014-2020″.

The Bachkovo Stavropigial Monastery of the Assumption and the Sozopol Foundation confirm that they will cooperate in the field and preservation of Bulgarian Orthodox temples and monasteries, based on joint projects.

On August 2, 2019, Sozopol Foundation received an invitation from Admiral Kiril Mihailov, Commander of the Naval Forces, to participate in the solemn celebration of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of the Naval Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The long-standing cooperation between the Naval Forces and Sozopol Foundation is an example of how the partnership between a governmental institution and a non-governmental sector representative can contribute to the good image of the Republic of Bulgaria on a European and World scale.

There is a seafarer’s corner created with the assistance of the naval forces in the Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historic Complex in the town of Sozopol.

The wonderful anniversary of the Naval Forces is accompanied by a smaller anniversary, but indicative for the good partnership and perseverance. On August 8, the 15th anniversary of the naming of the tanker-bunker ship “Akin” will be celebrated. In a special ritual in 2004, Ms. Nevena Arnautska – Member of the Management Board of Sozopol Foundation, became the godmother of the Akin ship.

The crew of the Akin ship and Miss Arnautska are in contact. During celebration of the tenth anniversary of the baptism of the ship, she gave gifts to the crew, receiving a special plaque from the command of the ship.

From 18th to 20th of July, in the National Archaeological Reserve “Ancient Town of Apolonia”, Sozopol, was held the Dionysian Days Wine Festival. All the wine-growing regions in Bulgaria were presented.

A special guest at the fest was Maestro Mauricio Federidi. He presented the “Magic of the Tasting” in the representative of the Chitalishte “Father Paisii.

The National Institute for the Study of Wine, Spirits and Essential Oils made a presentation on “Innovation in Laboratory Service and Producer Services”. Speaker was Ivana Murdjeva, lawyer, expert in wine-making legislation.

During the festival a project of the Sozopol Foundation was presented: “Wine – a traditional product and a means of convergence of the peoples of Southeastern Europe and the Black Sea region”.

The project was developed in partnership between NGOs from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Greece, Turkey, with the special participation of a non-governmental organization from Cassis, France.

A project proposal applies for funding under the Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Program for Cross-Border Cooperation 2014-2020.

During the festival, Mr. Kiril Arnautski held fruitful and friendly conversations with some of the organizers and guests of the festival.

Ms. Lucy Kiriazova
and Mr. Kiril Arnautski Mr. Stoyan Georgiev
and Mr. Kiril Arnautski

From the 5th till the 15th of July, on the territory of The Ancient Town of Apollonia National Archaeological Reserve, Sozopol took place the Fourteenth International Youth Festival of Arts “The Muses”.

Sozopol Foundation contributed to the creative atmosphere of the festival and on July 12 – Friday, in the Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historic Complex, Sozopol, cultural events took place, organized by the Organizing Committee of “The Muses” Festival in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Bulgaria and Sozopol Foundation.

During the significant world festival an exhibition of “Cuban Painting, Graphics and Applied Arts” was opened.

The works in the exhibition are owned by Mr. Boris Ivanov. He was born in 1946 in Sofia. He graduated in Bulgaria and worked for many years in the Republic of Cuba. He is an active member of the Bulgaria – Cuba Association of Friendship. A spiritually rich personality, who loves Bulgaria and Cuba, worthy presents the color and folklore of the two countries.

A concert of representatives from the world-famous Bulgarian choir “Mountain Song” started in the complex at 17:00.

The representatives of the choir sang wonderful songs with inspiration in front of the local residents and guests of Sozopol. Following the appearance of the representatives of the “Mountain Song” Choir, the halls of the Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historic Complex were unveiled by Cuban rhythms.

The Cuban Folk Ensemble “La Cubania Original” was specially invited. Nelly Gomes, Francisco Gomez, Raul Torres, Nadya Toncheva, Mariel Torres, Nicoleta Kayto and Boris Varbanov – wonderful people, fully obsessed and dedicated to the Bulgarian-Cuban friendship, made for an hour and a half the participants and the guests to be involved, thus they spontaneously took part in the steps of salsa, meringue and samba.

A special guest of Sozopol Foundation was Prof. Lidiya Varbanova PhD, a worthy Bulgarian woman of world importance. With the friendly atmosphere created, Mr. Kiril Arnautski – Chairperson of Sozopol Foundation, held talks with Prof. Lidiya Varbanova PhD and Mrs. Nelly Gomes, Chairman of the La Cubania Original Association. During the talks, the opportunities for joint projects and partnerships under international projects under the aegis of UNESCO, supported by the embassies of both countries and international governmental and non-governmental organizations, were discussed.

After the performance of the beautiful couple – Nadia Toncheva and Raul Gomez, they were especially greeted by Mr. Kiril Arnautski. A photo was taken at the Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historic Complex – a world tourist destination.

From the 5th until the 15th of July The XIV International Youth Festival of Arts “The Muses” in the town of Sozopol is being held.

The organizer of the festival is the Muses Association in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in the Republic of Bulgaria. The festival is held under the patronage of the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria – Mrs. Iliyana Yotova.

Sozopol Foundation provided the organizers of the festival for use part of the Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historic Complex.

On the territory of the complex in the canned and restored hall (dated V-VI century) with unique acoustics will be held an event from the Program of the Festival.

The Muses Association, organizer of the International Festival was created with the following objectives:
discovering and development of talented children and young people in the field of art and culture, folklore and crafts, implementation of cultural projects at national and international level.

Following the request of H.E. Mrs. Caridad Yamira Cueto Milián – Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, Sozopol Foundation prepared a design and provided advertising banners for the Festival.

Banners will be prominently displayed during the Festival, promoting the partnership and commitment of the two institutions related to the wonderful Youth Festival of Arts “The Muses”.

On June 18, 2019 in the office of the Sozopol Foundation was received a letter of thanks with Ref. No UN / ECE CLT / WHC / EUR / 19/4306 / 28.05.2019, in connection with the Foundation’s expressed sympathy with the citizens of Paris and the French people over the terrible disaster – the fire broke the Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the masterpieces of cultural heritage included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

„Dear Sir,

On behalf of the Director-General, I would like to express my gratitude for your letter of 24 April, by which you kindly expressed the sympathy and support of your Foundation, as well as your own, regarding the damage sustained to the La cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, a component of the World Heritage site “Paris, the Seine Coast”.
My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate your sentiments and we are convinced that the cathedral will be restored in accordance with the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Rest assured that UNESCO remains committed to assisting the French Republic to restore this invaluable heritage.

Thank you for your continued collaboration and support in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, I remain,

Yours faithfully
Ernesto Ottone R.“

The courtesy of Mr. Ernesto Otone, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, reiterates the sympathy and activity of the Sozopol Foundation in terms of preservation, maintenance and promotion of the world cultural heritage, part of which is Architectural Historical Complex “South Fortress and Tower”, Sozopol, Bulgaria.