Discussions at Varna Free University about the integration of monuments and sites in the modern urban environment
Varna Free University held a round table discussion entitled “Integration of Monuments and Sites in the Modern Urban Environment”, which was organized by the Russian Centre and the Construction of Buildings and Facilities Department. It was dedicated to 18th April – the international day of monuments and sites.
The event is part of the programme dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Construction of Buildings and Facilities major. Participants in the round table discussion were lecturers, PhD students and Master students from the Faculty of Architecture. Among the guests were students from the High School of Construction, Architecture and Geodesy in Varna, who came together with their school’s headmaster Ms. Magdalena Vutsova.
Official guests at the round table were Varna Chief Architect Mr. Viktor Buzev, junior expert in preservation of cultural heritage Donika Kirova, Arch. and the Vice Director of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber Mr. Plamen Ivanov.
The Director of the Russian Centre Prof. Galina Shamonian, PhD addressed the participants and told them about the international day of monuments and sites. Since 1983 this day has been uniting the people who are not indifferent to history, cultural heritage and memory. It has been reminding us of the vulnerability of monuments and sites, and of the need to preserve and restore them.
The Head of the Construction of Buildings and Facilities Department Assoc. Prof. Milena Kichekova, PhD outlined the project “Russia in the Heart of Bulgaria”, realized with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation, and dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Russian monuments and sites on the territory of north-east Bulgaria. Professor DSc Todor Bulev went over the objectives of the project and some of the most interesting moments of its realization. Dragomir Josofov, Arch., a PhD student at the Faculty of Architecture and a project participant, showed the conceptual project for restoration of the Russian troops’ former headquarters in the village of Gorsko Novo Selo, near the town of Velico Tarnovo, where the son of the great Russian poet A. S. Pushkin had served. “The restoration of monuments and sites is a joint work of historians, artists, architects and builders. If you just once become part of such work, it will fascinate you and provoke your creativity so much, that you will not be able to give it up”, said Arch. Dragomir Josofov. The presentation and the projects exhibition provoked the students’ interest, and they asked a lot of questions. The project coordinator, Assoc. Prof. M. Kichekova, PhD expressed her hope that the project will be continued in order to achieve greater socialization of heritage sites. She promised to involve students from the High School of Construction, Architecture and Geodesy.
The school’s headmaster outlined their new major – Architectural Restoration, while the students showed photos of famous architectural landmarks, which they had photographed during a trip around various European capitals.
Zhechka Ilieva, Arch. outlined VFU’s Master’s programme Cultural Heritage Preservation and the opportunities it provides. The interest of the students was captured by the expeditions and work placements provided for during the course of study.
In conclusion, the Varna Chief Architect V. Buzev, Arch. introduced the initiatives of the city authorities aiming to preserve the architectural monuments on the territory of Varna. Answering the students’ questions, he reminded them that it is important to be responsible, as monuments are our historical and cultural heritage. He thanked the organisers from Varna Free University for their active citizenship and professional position.
