Over 90 experts in cultural routes gathered in Plovdiv for the national information event “Cultural Routes – Bulgaria 2026” on 11 and 12 June 2026.

Experts from Bulgaria and abroad, representing central and local authorities, museums, universities, cultural institutions, and tourism organisations, gathered to discuss the opportunities offered by the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme for sustainable development, cultural diplomacy, and regional cooperation.

The initiative took place in the context of the Ministry of Tourism’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Cultural Tourism. It aimed to showcase Bulgaria’s potential for stronger participation in the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme through innovative heritage approaches to the interpretation, cross-sectoral cooperation and the development of cultural and eco-tourism, as well as new cultural routes.

The event featured two keynote lectures, by Rui Gomes, Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Irena Todorova, Executive Director of the Regional Centre for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South-Eastern Europe under the auspices of UNESCO.

The programme included four panels with 30 presentations, as well as the opening of the exhibition “Cultural Routes – Bulgaria 2026” at the Boris Hristov House of Culture. The exhibition presents Bulgaria’s participation in the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and was prepared by Prof. Slavia Barlieva and Dr. Elka Zlateva from the Cyrillo-Methodian Research Centre at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, with the financial support of the State Cultural Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Participants also enjoyed a rich cultural programme showcasing some of Bulgaria’s most remarkable heritage sites, such as the Old Town of Plovdiv, the restored Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis and the Ancient Theatre. The programme also included a visit to the historic spa town of Hisarya, built on the remains of Roman Diocletianopolis.

The event reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to the values and objectives of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme and opened new perspectives for future cooperation at national and international levels.

It was organised by the Cyrillo-Methodian Research Centre at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, national coordinator for the Cyril and Methodius Route, and the Centre of Excellence “Heritage BG”, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, the State Cultural Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Municipality of Plovdiv, the Municipality of Hisarya, and the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria.

The event was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, with the Bulgarian News Agency as media partner.