Thracian traditions without borders

The aim of the project is to establish and broaden cross-border cooperation by attracting local communities from the region to participate in joint initiatives to develop sustainable tourism. Specific objectives are to preserve local traditions by transmitting them to the next generations; to stimulate organizing joint networking events; to raise awareness in the population of the cross-border region for sustainable use of natural, historical and cultural heritage. Project activities include the delivery of equipment (TV and  laptop),  furniture(wardrobes, shelves, tables, chairs) and folk costumes in Sozopol, delivery of photo camera in Edirne, organization of the photographic expedition "Show to the generations" in Sozopol and Edirne, preparation for presentation of traditional folklore performance "Thracian traditions without borders" in Sozopol, organizing informational campaign and photo exhibitions in Edirne and Sozopol.
As a result of the project implementation, facilities for inclusion of young generation will be improved, young people will be attracted  in preserving the local traditions and lifestyle, joint networking events in the cross-border region will be realized, and initiatives raising the awareness for sustainable use of natural, historic and cultural heritage will be conducted.

Project status: Finished

The project was aimed at preserving the cultural heritage and encouraging the cultural tourism, which is one of the most popular forms of tourism in the area of Sozopol and Edirne. It is connected with travels for cultural pleasures. As a tourist resource, culture is important for building and maintaining the national and regional identity of cultural diversity that are valued and sought by modern tourists. Cultural values are a prerequisite for the development of cultural tourism. They are a collection of objects and phenomena whose cognitive and emotional effect is aimed at satisfying the socio-cultural needs. The project activities included a photo expedition in Sozopol and Edirne which sought the different view of the art-lovers and hobby photographers of the atmosphere in both towns and its capturing in unique photo exhibitions. The collected photos became also the basis for the creation of tourist guides, promoting interesting places and routes worth visiting. The two partnering organizations were actively working to protect cultural, historical and natural heritage through involvement of people of different ages and backgrounds. Folklore performance “Show to the generations” was prepared in the renovated and equipped premises of the Thracian association “Yani Popov” and performed in both countries, promoting and preserving the spiritual cultural values that should be kept in the tribal memory and transferred to the future generations. The realization of the joint initiatives fostered closer ties between the local communities, art-lovers, museum friends from the border region.