On October 31, 2023, in the building of the St. Kliment Ohridski University Library (lecturers' reading room), the University of Sofia Press published a book entitled Cultural Heritage as a Resource for Local Development, authored by Prof. Zhelyu Vladimirov. The book contains the results of research conducted under Project BG05M2OP001-1.001-0001, Establishment and Development of a Centre of Excellence, and was presented by Prof.
The book contains the results of research conducted under project BG05M2OP001-1.001-0001 "Establishment and Development of the Center for Excellence "Heritage BG," funded under the Operational Program "Science and Education for Smart Growth" 2014–2020, Priority Axis 1 "Scientific Research and Technological Development," co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the framework of the newly established Institute for Heritage Economics and Management.
For the first time in Bulgaria, a methodology for the economic assessment of cultural heritage is presented, along with examples of how cultural heritage can be used as a resource for local development and the main results of two studies to test the methodology.
Definitions, measurements, typology, approaches to preservation and development are proposed for cultural heritage, and policies for the preservation of cultural heritage are also discussed. Particular attention is paid to the cultural and economic value of heritage, with methods proposed for the economic assessment of cultural sites and events. Examples are given of economic and comprehensive assessments of cultural heritage, including cultural heritage as a resource for local development. Of interest to a wide range of stakeholders are the economic benefits of cultural heritage for business, socio-economic development, and improving quality of life, as identified by the author.
In conclusion to his presentation, author Prof. Zhelyu Vladimirov emphasized: "The most important 'tool' for preserving cultural heritage is education. Every piece of heritage must have an exciting story, presentation, visual representation, etc. to impress and be passed on by word of mouth."
See more about project BG05M2OP001-1.001-0001 "Establishment and Development of the Center for Excellence "Heritage BG" at https://www.nasledstvo.bg/ and https://www.facebook.com/nasledstvo.bg.
