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Description
The project proposal envisages digitalization for the first time of the rich and diverse cultural heritage and archive of the National Theater "Ivan Vazov" in order to reach a wide audience at the international level. Within the project, 30,300 archival units, photos, paintings, videos will be digitized, which will be shown for the first time to a wide audience at the national and international level. All significant sites will be digitized, the "hidden treasures" of the National Theater "Ivan Vazov" will be revealed in partnership with Icelandic Society for Preservation of Stage Heritage. The so-called digital laboratory will be established for the digitalization processes, which will be the place where the digitalization processes will be carried out. It is planned to hold a digital exhibition within the project. Its preparation will involve highly qualified and specially trained experts, as well as representatives of minorities and Roma. They, the Roma, have their contribution to the history of the theater, with their culture, which is interesting, colorful and different. An online platform will be created to facilitate access to digital resources. Through this platform, all stakeholders from all over the world will be able to take their virtual tour of the "hidden treasures" of the theater. Living in a time of pandemic by COVID19, which limits social contacts, the project envisages the creation of a digital library. The digital library is available in cyberspace from anywhere in the world. The user of the digital library can receive the information he needs, directly on the screen of his personal computer, 24 hours a day. Occupying an important place in the society in which information technologies are used in all spheres of human life, including recording, storage and dissemination of information in digital form, the National Theater "Ivan Vazov" with the implementation of this project proposal will meet the needs of its audience.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at the first-time digitisation of the rich and diverse cultural heritage and archive of the National Theater "Ivan Vazov" - this Bulgarian cultural institute has an impressive more than a century-long history. Beeing he centre of Bulgaria’s cultural life, this unique place keeps in its memory the triumphs of the greatest Bulgarian directors and actors on its stage, as well as the work of the national poets and writers who have contributed to the theatre field over the years. The project also included the establishement of a digital lab and an online platform to provide world-wide access to the digiised content.
The project activities included the purchase and hiring of digitisation equipment, the renovation of suitable premises in order to establish a digital laboratory, training and capacity building, sharing of good practices, digitisation of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the creation of an open online content platform with the potential for inclusion in international aggregators, the creation of a digital library in order to improve access for use by the general public. The activities also included joint activities with educational institutions related to the implementation of digital exhibitions. The project promoter opened also an offline digital exhibition with an archive consultation room for specialists.
The project took little more time than planned, but led to the successful digitisation of more than 30,300 items from the rich and never-before seen archives of the oldest Bulgarian theater institution, proviing an access to the history of the Bulgarian theater and art scene. The project helped the promoter''s staff to build capacity, learn new skills and gain new perspective from the Icelandic partner''s shared experience.
Summary of bilateral results
The partner – the National and University Library of Iceland - shared their experience in digitisation of archives and replaced successfully the initial Icelandic partner ''Icelandic Society for Preservation of the Stage Heritage''. They took active part in most of the digitisation activities and shared valuable insights from their long-standing experience in this field.