On June 12, 2019, Sozopol Foundation, following strictly the defined Guidelines for Application under the Program of ZERO PROJECT, presented the Project “Knowledge for All”, developed and implemented by the Foundation. The project proposal fully responds to the main themes of the Program “Innovative Practices and Innovative Policies 2020”.

The project is the result of the active work of Sozopol Foundation since its establishment in December 2002 to the present moment. The activities are implemented and are being implemented on the territory of the Ancient Town of Apolonia National Archaeological Reserve, Sozopol, Bulgaria.

Accessibility guide card for the Reserve Innovative practices and innovative policies under the project are targeted at all people: local and tourists visiting the Reserve (children, the elderly and people with disabilities, regardless of the type of disability).

Cultural information and training center
Photo taken from the central entrance of the
Archaeological museum Photo taken from the central entrance of the Orthodox church “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”

The accessible route in the Ancient Town of Apollonia Archaeological Reserve, which was has been established in the past years, and the educational and informal educational initiative for people with disabilities, whose disability does not allow their full participation in the acquisition of information, is a pilot innovative practice. It could serve as an example of many ancient cities and reserves in the world, where it is developed in small volumes or even absent. Sozopol Foundation’s specialists, who will provide the information, are trained to respond in different situations to the individual and personality characteristics of the disabled.

Cultural information and training center
Photo from near
Cultural information and training center – Halls

Cultural information and training center – Halls

The implementation of the large-scale project “Knowledge for All” was attended by a number of people with different disabilities, with Sozopol Foundation having permanent contacts with the Agency for People with Disabilities of the Government of Bulgaria and the Center for Psychological Studies, Burgas. Thanks to their active assistance, methodological support and ensuring the participation of people with disabilities, the set goals and the expected results were achieved. Throughout the years of implementation, all forms of funding are used, with the largest share of projects funded under EU programs.

Mr. Mincho Koralski – Director of the Agency for Disabled People Part of people with disabilities participating in the project activities

At present, there is no information that the activities of the large-scale project are replicated in full volume, which is part of its uniqueness. The project can be replicated in many places in the world, but we need to emphasize that very good coordination and partnership is required between the government sector, the local government, the non-government sector, business and civil society.

The common goals of project: “Knowledge for All“ for the next years are the finalization of the large-scale idea, the maintenance by all stakeholders of the already implemented activities and the obtaining of the much-needed for all sustainability. Sozopol Foundation considers that this pilot practice can serve as an example for many destinations.

Provided accessibility along the street “South Panoramic Alley”

Provided accessibility along the street “South Panoramic Alley”

Many awards, media coverage and worldwide recognitions concerning the nominated practice have recognized the active work of Sozopol Foundation. They are reflected on our website. Thanks to the activity of the Foundation, the “Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historic Complex”

Halls in the complex created by Sozopol Foundation

Halls in the complex created by Sozopol Foundation

has received earned recognition from the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2015 and has become a world-wide tourist destination accessible to people with disabilities.

A general photo of all participants after the end of the official ceremony of the the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards for 2015 Mr. Graham Miller – Main Judge and mrs. Lyubov Draganova – International projects expert of Sozopol Foundation

The created accessible environment allows anyone who visits the Reserve to immerse in a unique atmosphere. To feel the spirit of the centuries-old city, to see, to hear, to feel the sea, the wonderful city park, the Orthodox church “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, the Archaeological Museum, the street “South Panoramic Alley”, the Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historic Complex and last, but not least – the Cultural Information and Training Center, where besides full information about the Reserve an interactive information / lectures and discussions, information documentaries, event theater, etc., offered in appropriate ways to all target groups will be provided.

At present, Sozopol Foundation participates in the development and subsequent implementation of a number of national and international projects. The experience gained over the years in implementing the activities of the large project gives us confidence and grounds that our active work as a leading international non-governmental organization in the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage as well as providing an accessible environment for this heritage for people with disabilities, children and the elderly will be beneficial to all sites subject to intervention on future project initiatives.

One of the projects that Sozopol Foundation is currently developing is “Expansion of a viewing platform for observation of a fortress system, spectacular lighting, decorative flower gardens and a panoramic alley – Second stage”. The project is an upgrade and achievement of a sustainability in the provision of tourist services in the Ancient Town of Apollonia National Archaeological Reserve.

Panoramic photos of viewpoints to monitor the fortress system

Access from the South Panoramic Street to the viewpoint

Mounted platform for people with disabilities Picture from near of the wonderful viewing platform

The viewing platform for the observation of the fortress system, its spectacular lighting, decorative flower gardens and the panoramic alley аре one of the most preferred places for visiting and recreation on the territory of the Ancient Town of Apollonia National Archaeological Reserve. Every year they are visited by almost all tourists and guests of the town of Sozopol.

During the Soleil Francophone Festival in Sozopol on June 5, 2019, Her Excellency Tamara Liluashvili, Ambassador of the Republic of Georgia in Bulgaria, visited the created by Sozopol Foundation Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historical Complex. Mr. Kiril Arnautski – Chairperson of Sozopol Foundation, introduced Mr. Tamara Liluashvili with the rich cultural and historical past of Apolonia – Sozopol.

H. E. Tamara Liluashvili – Ambassador of the Republic of Georgia in Bulgaria
and Mr. Kiril Arnautski – Chairperson of Sozopol Foundation in the Sozopol Foundation’s office
In a spontaneous and friendly conversation, Mr. Kiril Arnautski and Mrs. Tamara Liluashvili discussed the developed by Sozopol Foundation in partnership with the Cultural Heritage and Environment Research Center, State University, Ilia, Tbilisi, Georgia, project “Argonauts cultural journey – establishment of a common cultural environment in the Black Sea Basin region” under the ENI CBC Black Sea 2014-2020 Program.

They both expressed their unanimous opinion that the realization of the project will contribute to the strengthening and development of the potential of the cross-border cooperation and will help to overcome the borders between the countries in the cross-border Black Sea region.
H. E. Tamara Liluashvili expressed her admiration for the implemented activities by Sozopol Foundation, which have been seen and done over the years, for the restoration and preservation of our rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and in the book for impressions of the complex, she wrote:

„Dear Kiril,

Thank you for your kind hospitality. The museum was very interesting and informative. Thank you also for your love for Georgia and Georgian people. It’s always nice to meet people like yourself, who speak highly of Georgia. I hope that in the near future we the Georgian Embassy in Sofia will have the opportunity to collaborate on different projects.

With most respect and regards,
Tamara Liluashvili
Ambassador of Georgia to Bulgaria
5 June 2019”

Mrs. Tamara Liluashvili wished greater success to Sozopol Foundation in its noble aims of preserving the natural and cultural heritage and providing an accessible environment to this heritage by officially inviting Mr. Kiril Arnautski to visit the Embassy of the Republic of Georgia in Sofia.

The second transnational workshop of the project partners under project “Entrepreneurs of Cultural Heritage”, acronym “CHEER”, Ref. № 2018-IDE02-KA205-0051 was held was held on 28 and 29 May 2019.

Innsbruck, Austria

The project is funded by the European Union’s Erasmus + Program. During the implementation of the project activities, all partners are actively involved in:
Germany – “Center for Intercultural Education and Work”, Latvia – “Creative Ideas”, Austria – “Verein Multicultural – Tyrolean Integration Center”, Bulgaria – Sozopol Foundation, Romania – “Millennium Center” Association and Greece – “Consulting company IDEC”.

On behalf of Sozopol Foundation active participation in the meeting had eng. Mitya Dimitrov, Project Coordinator from the Bulgarian side and Mr. Boris Valev, Expert International Programs and Projects.

From right to left: Eng. Mitya Dimitrov, Mr. Boris Valev

During the discussions between the partners, it was a pleasure to underline the achieved results of the implemented project activities at the present moment. The forthcoming implementation tasks were discussed in detail.
All partners expressed and reaffirmed their commitment and motivation for the successful implementation of the project, with a strong emphasis on the identified regions of action and the potential for the development of civil society organizations and entrepreneurship in the field of cultural heritage.

By the invitation of Mr. Rumen Radev – The President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mrs. Audrey Azoulay – UNESCO Director-General, was on an official visit to our country on the 23rd and 24th May. On May 23, they met, discussing a number of issues related to the activities undertaken by UNESCO and the active participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in them.

Mrs. Audrey Azoulay and Mr. Rumen Radev

During the day, the UNESCO Director General held a lecture on “UNESCO and the Challenges of the 21st Century” at the Sofia University Aula.

The building of Sofia University

Before the beginning of the lecture, Mrs. Audrey Azoulay was represented by the Rector of the University – Prof. Dr. Anastas Gerdzhikov.

Prof. Dr. Anastas Gerdzhikov

During the lecture in front of the crowded aula, Mrs. Azoulay presented very thoroughly the basic and global guidelines on which the World Organization actively works with the help of the member states and the non-governmental sector.

In the hall as an official guest, invited by the Sofia University leadership,

was Mr. Kiril Arnautski – Chairperson of Sozopol Foundation – a Bulgarian NGO with consultative status with UNESCO.

Mrs. Audrey Azoulay The aula with the invited guests

In an informal conversation after the lecture, Mrs. Audrey Azoulay and Mr. Kiril Arnautski discussed the importance of the World Organization and the activities of the non-governmental sector in the world, and in particular the great activity of Sozopol Foundation,

Mrs. Audrey Azoulay, Mrs. Ivelina Kyutchukova and Mr. Kiril Arnautski

Mrs. Audrey Azoulay expressed his gratitude as Director-General of UNESCO for the activities and good involvement of Sozopol Foundation in all initiatives of the World Organization.

On 24 May, Mrs. Audrey Azoulay took part in the celebrations and events organized in honor of the two primary school teachers, St. St. Cyril and Methodius, who created the Bulgarian alphabet, which served as a basis for many other Slavic nations.

One of the events held in the intensive program of Mrs. Audrey Azoulay and Mr. Rumen Radev was their visit to the National Museum of History.

Meeting with an old Bulgarian custom

Together with the permanent exhibitions and exhibits, the high guests were acquainted with the specially prepared exhibition of the Spiritual Mirror Association with Chairperson Mrs. Tatyana Kostadinova.

Mrs. Audrey Azoulay, Mr. Rumen Radev and Mrs. Tatyana Kostadinova

In the exhibition were presented works of: Creative workshop from the town of Chiprovtsi, Creative workshop from the town of Sevlievo, Creative studio “Fairy world” – Sofia, Creative studio from the village of Kurtovo Konare

Creative workshop from the town of Chiprovtsi Creative workshop from the town of Sevlievo


Creative studio “Fairy world” –
Sofia Creative studio from the village
of Kurtovo Konare


During the visit, Mr. Kiril Arnautski introduced Mr. Rumen Radev with the active work of the Foundation, as the first Bulgarian NGO in a consultative partnership with UNESCO. Mr. Arnautski invited Mr. Radev to visit the town of Sozopol and the Southern Fortress Wall and Tower Architectural and Historical Complex, a world tourist destination, created by the Foundation. Mr. Radev expressed his admiration for the active work of Sozopol Foundation at national and international level and accepted the invitation.

Mr. Kiril Arnautski, Mrs. Ivelina Kyutchukova and Mr. Rumen Radev
After the guests had a look at the exhibitions and exposures, a photo of all of them was taken.

The participants in the exhibition of Spiritual Mirror Association with Mr. Kiril Arnautski, Mr. Rumen Radev and Mrs. Audrey Azoulay

Before leaving, Mrs. Audrey Azoulay wished Mr. Kiril Arnautski a greater successes to the Foundation as an consultative partner of the World Organization.

On May 14, 2019, in the solemn hall of the University of National and World Economy (Sofia University), a dissertation thesis on the acquisition of the educational and scientific degree “PhD” of Miss Nevena Arnautskaya took place.

The theme of the dissertation is “Role of the cultural heritage for sustainable destination development” with the scientific leader Prof. Tanya Parusheva – Chief scientific adviser at the Sozopol Foundation and lecturer at the Department of Tourism Economics at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) – Sofia.

From left to right: Prof. Dr. Tanya Parusheva – Chief Scientific consultant,
Miss Nevena Arnautsk

The honorable scientific jury expressed very graciously about the thesis prepared and defended by Miss Arnaut. With full unanimity, she decided to award her the educational and scientific degree “PhD”, a scientific subject “Economics and Management (Tourism)”.

The jury from left to right:
Prof. Dr. Manol Ribov – President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Education, Science and Culture;
Prof. Mariana Yaneva, PhD – Director of Public Communication Program at the Bulgarian Chamber of Education, Science and Culture;
Prof. Dr. Stoyan Marinov – Member of the Management Board of the Varna Chamber of Tourism and Dean of the Faculty of Management at the University of Economics, Varna;
Prof. Dr. Tanya Dubeva – Professor in Professional Field 3.9. Tourism, Head of the Department of Economics and Organization of Tourism at the University of Economics, Varna.

After successful defense of the dissertation thesis and the acquisition of the educational and scientific degree “doctor” Mrs. Nevena Arnautska was congratulated by her colleagues, future and present PhD students and guests attending the event.

The UNESCO building in Paris

On April 18, 2019, a consultative meeting of NGOs in partnership with UNESCO, accredited under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was held. The main topic of the meeting was the role of non-governmental organizations under the Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, in particular the recognition of various consultative functions of NGOs and their consequences for the reform of the accreditation system.
The meeting was held under the leadership of Mr. Tim Curtis, Secretary of the Convention of 2003 and Head of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Sector.

Mr. Tim Curtis, Secretary of the Convention

Discussions and debates were conducted in such a way as to contribute to more active participation of NGOs accredited under the Convention. It was discussed in detail that only participation in the meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee is insufficient for the active work and the full presence of NGOs. These comments made it clear that NGOs can contribute directly to the process of reforming the accreditation system.
In this prestigious forum, Ms. Petya Zelenski, permanent representative of Sozopol Foundation in UNESCO participated actively.

Ms. Petya Zelenski, representative of Sozopol Foundation in UNESCO

She presented the good work of Sozopol Foundation for preservation and popularization of the rich intangible cultural heritage. The projects implemented by Sozopol Foundation under the UNESCO Participation Program, and the participation in international forums and events fully support and confirm the active work and commitment of Sozopol Foundation.