‘Being aware of your culture is an excellent starting point for Development’

The Bulgarian culture before the Liberation

The formation of the Bulgarian culture is a long and extremely complex process. From 1393 to 1878 Bulgaria is in the territory of the Ottoman Empire. Its development is stopped until the second half of 18th Century. After that it is characterized with a development called “the Bulgarian Revival”..

After The Liberation in 1878 important for the cultural policy of the Bulgarian state is the Ministry of National Enlightenment (Ministry of Education) which provides funds for the maintanence of different cultural centers.

The Bulgarian culture after the Liberation

During the 45 years of Socialism there could be outlined some types of common characteristics:

- Full centralization of the management of the cultural processes;- Ideological monopoly in the imposing of the cultural

values;- The extensive development of the culture is on focus;

Historical Prospects: Cultural Policies and Instruments

Basic Priorities of the Contemporary Cultural Policy of Bulgaria

Decentralization of the management and funding the culture; Alteration in the cultural legislation intended for receiving the new

social and economic challenges; Building of administrative circle assisting the cultural development

and the European integration; Guaranteed equality of rights of the state, municipal and private

cultural institutions;

Promoting the partnership of the Non-governmental sector; Observation of the universal values of the cultural diversity; Participation in the process of International Cultural Exchange for Bulgarian artists;

Ways of funding of the culture

The State; Funds ( National

Cultural Fund, “13 Centuries Bulgaria”)

Alternative sources;

Bulgarian Cultural Institutions in Europe

There are 10 cultural institutions abroad. They are situated in different European capitals.

Foreign Institutes in Bulgaria are:

Institut culturel Français et de cooperation, Goethe Institut, British Council and so on;

Cultural Tourism in Bulgaria

There are different forms of cultural tourism in Bulgaria. Some of them are:

Rural & Eco Tourism Hunting Tourism Sky Tourism Paragliding  Sea Tourism Ski Tourism

Tourism in Figures

-There is a growth of 6% in the number of foreign tourists who visit Bulgaria for the period from January to February 2011 compared to the same period of 2010.

- The revenues from international tourism in January 2011 are amounted to 109.1 million euros, 5% more than the same period of 2010.

5,60

5,80

6,00

6,20

6,40

6,60

6,80

Grow th for 2011

Foreign Tourists

Holidays and Vacations

Revenues form InternationalTorism

http://www.bulgariatravel.org/eng/index.php

Bulgaria is a participant in international conventions on minority rights as well as all kinds of racial discrimination;

The Ministry of Culture carries out the practical realization of the principles of protection of cultural diversity .

Cultural Integration

National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues (NCCEDI) is an advisory and coordinating body that assists the Council of Ministers for the developing and implementation of the state policy on ethnic and demographic issues.

National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues to the Council of Ministers

Commission for Roma Integration (to the NCCEDI) defines Framework Programme and Action Plan for equal Integration of Roma in Bulgarian society

Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) is an independent specialized state authority that prevent discrimination. It is funded by grants from the state budget and other resources.

CPD provides independent assistance to victims of discrimination;

It conducts independent surveys that concern discrimination.

Other organizations for the protection of minorities and cultural integration

Women receive the right to vote finally in 1947 with the so-called “Dimitrov’s Constitution”. Women's participation in politics and governance is very low - 30%. Currently there are only 10 Bulgarian women in the European Commission.

Women in politics

IndicatorsCountries

Civil and Liberties Indicator

Female candidacy/first female parliamentarian/

Female suffrage

Femaleparliamentarians

Female ministers

Bulgaria 4.5 1944/ 1945 1945 26.2% 12.5%

Finland 6 1906 / 1907 1906 36.5% 9.7%

Germany 5.5 1918/ 1919 1918 31% 35.9%

Poland 5.5 1918/1919 1918 20.7% 0%

The first steps of cultural centers are in the middle of the 19th century. Born during the Bulgarian Revival, cultural centers sophisticate definite social needs and become part of the rich characteristics of the era.

The first cultural centers, established in 1856 are the following : In Svishtov - Chitalishte Elenka and Kiril Abram “ in Lom – Chitalishte “Persistence"; In Shumen"Dobri Voynikov”

During the 80s the cultural centers number 4325

Nowadays the number of the registered cultural centers in Bulgaria is 3495

“Chitalishte”

Characteristics of the Culture Centers

Cultural centers raise funds from the following sources:

Dues Cultural, educational and informational activities Subsidy from state and municipal budgets Rentals from movable and immovable property Gifts and bequest Other revenue

PROPERTY AND FINANCE

Basic activities:

Folklore in Bulgaria means that part of the tradition of agrarian development of the society contains forms of creativity that can be defined as arts.

Folklore is part of the official culture, reproduced and supported institutionally. The most important role in these processes since the 19th century to today have local ‘cultural’ or literally speaking ‘reading’ centers (Chitalishta).

Thus folklore becomes a major cultural resource for the development of modern Bulgarian art in all forms - art, music, literature and etc.

Bulgarian Folklore

The main task of the cultural policy is to trace and revive the forgotten ancient folk customs, which, artistically shaped, appear to strengthen the interest in national folk art and patriotic feelings.

Phenomena of regional folk culture - masquerade games, singing, dancing and instrumental performance turn to a legacy of the city.

Bulgarian Folklore

Today there are many dates in the official calendar, which often contain folk elements. Those are national festivals and song competitions and regional holidays.

Rose Festival, Kazanlak

The holiday "Panagia" - Ascension of bread Kyustendil

An interesting example for the transmission of traditional motives in “high culture” is the story of our Renaissance writer Lyuben Karavelov “Bulgarians from olden times”, Which was interpreted as an operetta and a musical with the same name.

Operetta “Bulgarians from olden times "Director: Nicholas Aprilov Music: Asen Karastoyanov Conductor: Krassimir Kashev

Prepared by:

Boris PavlovDiana BozhkovaPetya Petrova

Thank you for your attention!