On March 5, 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the town of Sozopol between the Municipality of Sozopol and the Association "Regional Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Southeast Europe under the auspices of UNESCO".
The document lays the foundation for long-term cooperation aimed at safeguarding, preserving, and transmitting the living traditions, knowledge, and skills of the local community, in accordance with the principles of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Within the framework of the partnership, the parties identify a number of unique elements of the local intangible cultural heritage as priorities for the territory of the Municipality of Sozopol, including:
These living traditions are part of the cultural identity of the oldest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and represent a valuable resource for the sustainable development of the municipality.
The memorandum provides for the exchange of expertise, the development of joint initiatives, the organization of educational activities, workshops, festivals, and the preparation of proposals for the inscription of elements in national and international registers.
The director of the Association "Regional Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Southeast Europe under the auspices of UNESCO" - Irena Todorova - is a recognized expert in the field of cultural policies, the safeguarding of living traditions, and international cultural cooperation. Under her leadership, the Center actively works to implement the principles of the 2003 UNESCO Convention, promoting the exchange of good practices, support for local communities, and sustainable development through cultural heritage. Her participation in the partnership with Sozopol guarantees expert support, international visibility, and a strategic perspective for the long-term preservation and promotion of the unique traditions of the city.
The Mayor of the Municipality of Sozopol emphasized the importance of cooperation as a strategic step towards the systematic and professional safeguarding of local traditions, as well as towards engaging the younger generations in the process of their transmission.
The signing of the memorandum is a clear sign that Sozopol not only preserves its past but is actively working on its understanding and integration into contemporary cultural life.