Description
The project aims conservation, restoration and exhibition of the church "St. Nativity of the Virgin" in the village of Milanovo, municipality of Svoge and economic revitalization in the abandoned areas of the Nature Park “Vrachanski Balkan”. The project includes activities for development and implementation of technical and work projects for conservation, restoration and exposure of the church "St. Nativity of the Virgin". The building is a unique, typical medieval Bulgarian church, dating from 1492 and it is a cultural heritage monument of national importance. At the moment the building is in very poor condition, which creates a risk of irreversible damage to murals and the building itself. At the same time, activities for documenting the material culture of the region are carried out as part of the project. This includes conduction of several researches – historical art study of artistic values (study of icons, iconostasis, frescoes and decorations from artistic point of view, etc.), ethnographical study (includes historical data and sources for church and locality, places’ names, ethnography, ritual actions, myths and legends, natural heritage and biodiversity, etc) and special cultural study for the "Vows activities in Iskar Gorge”. The target groups are local people, visitors and tourists in the nature park, representatives of public authorities and the Roma ethnic group, as well as people interested in the field of cultural heritage, including representatives/people/folks from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The project foresees a professional training of the representatives of the Roma ethnic group in "Landscaping" specialty. They will be included with landscape activities in the project area. Moreover, various artistic talents from the Roma population will take part in the cultural festival of traditions.
Summary of project results
The project aimed conservation, restoration and exhibition of the church "St. Nativity of the Virgin" in the village of Milanovo, municipality of Svoge and economic revitalization in the abandoned areas of the Nature Park “Vrachanski Balkan”. The aims were implemented on the base of preserved natural and authentic cultural heritage and through the development of sustainable partnerships. The target groups were local people, visitors and tourists in the nature park, representatives of public authorities and the Roma ethnic group, as well as people interested in the field of cultural heritage, including representatives/people/folks from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The project included activities for development and implementation of technical and work projects for conservation, restoration and exposure of the church "St. Nativity of the Virgin". The temple is a unique, well preserved, typical medieval Bulgarian church, dating from 1492 and it is cultural monument of national importance. At the same time, activities for documenting the material culture of the region took part in the project. The project included a professional training of the representatives of the Roma ethnic group in "Landscaping" specialty. Then they participated in the landscape activities in the project area. Moreover, a various artistic talents from the Roma population took part in the cultural festival of traditions. As a result of the project, a unique cultural heritage building is restored. The restored building is exhibited in an authentic cultural and natural environment. The partnership between government organizations with functions in the field of cultural heritage and regional development added value to the local development. The Southern zone of the Nature Park “Vrachanski Balkan” is having a new attractive cultural center This led to increasing the value context of the nature park, its attractiveness and economic revitalization based on the specific and conserved natural and authentic heritage.
Summary of bilateral results
Partner is a nongovernmental organization from Norway who actively works in the field of permaculture. PERMACULTURE is an applied science for human habitat design and productive farming systems, resembling the most natural. It is based on ecological and biological principles, using recurrent patterns (templates) to maximize benefits and minimize efforts. Its goal is to create sustainable, productive systems that meet human needs and harmoniously integrate people and land. The sphere of action of the partner largely approximates not only the goals but also the philosophy of the current project, and that is the reason for his choice. The partner identified and provided for the participation of a minimum of five people within the planned festival. They have participated in the discussions and workshops and share the basic principles of permaculture and by presenting food and cuisine in this area. In addition, the partner participates in the promotion of the project and its results in Norway.