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Description
The project includes complex activities representing the unique for Bansko symbiosis of natural and cultural-historical resources. It is planned to create a Museum of the Mountain and People, which is significantly different from traditional museums and exposures in them. The concept includes the use of the most modern technologies. Visitors will be able to touch the Pirin mountain, a huge model of which will be located under a glass floor, on which the movement of people will be possible. Interactive visitor experiences are planned, with which they will enter a virtual walk among history, geography and art. 2D and 3D technologies, multi-media projections, interactive elements, sound and light will be used for the innovative layout. The planned permanent exhibition in the Museum will allow tourists to touch the preserved local crafts. In addition, the implementation of this sub-activity will provide an opportunity for local carpenters and other producers to return to traditional crafts, the items from which to sell on the local market. The project also integrates the social objectives of the Strategy, including the engagement of disadvantaged persons in souvenir-making activities. They will be trained by occupational therapists from the Municipal Service "Social Services Institutions" with the assistance of local carpentry workshops. The souvenirs made by them will be sold at a stand in the permanent exhibition. Main objectives of the project: 1) Maximum use of natural, historical and cultural resources for the development of year-round tourism and reduction of seasonal employment in tourism, as the main livelihood in Bansko town; 2) Diversification of the tourist product through an innovative approach in the presentation of natural, historical and cultural features; 3) To make a connection between local traditional crafts and tourism; 4) To integrate disadvantaged people through their direct involvement and creation of employment; 5) To creation 5 new jobs.
Summary of project results
One of the main problems in the municipality of Bansko is the seasonal employment. Bansko is a famous winter tourist destination and offers work for the population during the cold months of the year. In recent years, the Municipality of Bansko has made efforts to turn the city into a year-round tourist destination, to increase year-round employment, to create a sustainable environment for local businesses and craftsmen, using local historical, natural and cultural resources, to give more opportunities to people in disadvantaged situations to become part of the labor market, to create better opportunities for the long-term unemployed, elderly people of pre-retirement age, young people, young mothers, single parents, people with disabilities, low-skilled people, including representatives of the Roma and Turkish minorities, to find suitable employment opportunities.
TThe Municipality of Bansko created a Museum of the Mountain and People, which significantly differs from traditional museums and their exhibitions and presents the unique symbiosis of natural and cultural-historical features for Bansko with the use of state-of-the-art technologies. Visitors can touch the Pirin Mountain, a huge model of which is located under a glass floor, on which people can move. Interactive experiences are provided to visitors, with which they can take a virtual walk through history, geography and art. 2D and 3D technologies, multimedia projections, interactive elements, sound and light were used for the innovative layout. In the Museum, visitors can get acquainted with the natural, cultural and architectural landmarks of the region from a different perspective. A permanent exhibition of local crafts has been created, which allows tourists to touch them, buy and enjoy. In addition, the implementation of the project gave opportunity to local carpenters and other producers to return to traditional crafts, the objects of which they can sell on the local market. 5 new jobs related to the activities of the museum have been opened - 1 tour guide/driver of the archaeological sites, 3 museum workers and 1 employee responsible for and maintaining the exhibition hall for traditional local crafts. The Municipal Department of Social Services provided an opportunity for disadvantaged people from Bansko to work with occupational therapists - carpenters, artists and others, with whom they can make souvenirs to be sold in the exhibition area of local crafts in the newly established museum.
Applying the most modern technologies, a Museum of the Mountain and the People was created, which complements the great museum, cultural and natural diversity of the region and through innovative models of work and presentation is expected to contribute to the development of year-round tourism in the municipality. 5 jobs were opened, the new employees received appropriate training to fulfill their duties and the relevant certificates, which increased their professional qualifications.
Disadvantaged people were given the opportunity to learn to create products to sell and thus take the first steps towards integration in the social and community life.
This led to an improvement in unemployment in the municipality.