The Municipal Council in Burgas adopted a decision to join the Municipality as a regular member of the non-profit association in the public interest “European Cultural Route ‘St. St. Cyril and Methodius’”, holder of the “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” certificate. The councilors agreed that the Municipality will pay an annual membership fee of 3000 euros. The funds will be provided for in the budget of Burgas Municipality for 2026 and the following years.
With the adopted decision, the councilors also approved the statutes of the association, as well as allowed preliminary execution of the act in order to meet the deadline for submitting an application for membership - March 10th of this year.
The “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe” program started in 1987 and aims to promote cultural diversity, heritage preservation, and intercultural dialogue. Currently, there are 49 certified routes, with the Cyril and Methodius Cultural Route being recognized in 2021 as part of the European cultural heritage.
The association, established in 2013 and based in the city of Zlin, Czech Republic, unites 37 members from 10 countries. It coordinates activities for the management and promotion of the route, supports scientific research, organizes cultural initiatives, and develops transnational tourism products.
Among the Bulgarian participants in the international network are the Cyril and Methodius Scientific Center at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Archaeological Museum “Veliki Preslav”, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, the National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, as well as other educational and cultural institutions.
According to the motives for the proposal, the joining of Burgas will contribute to strengthening the role of the city in the preservation and promotion of the Cyril and Methodius heritage, as well as for the preparation of its candidacy for the European Capital of Culture in 2032.
Burgas Municipality annually celebrates May 24th - the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture, and of Slavic literature, with a large-scale cultural program, in which educational and cultural institutions from the city actively participate.