Cultural Corridors of South East Europe

Expert Networks

Expert Network, 2000

Expert Network, 2000

In 1999-2000, by the initiative of the ICOMOS/ Bulgaria, about 50 expert-co-thinkers from all the countries in South East Europe create a voluntary network working on the pilot project: Cultural Itineraries of South Eastern Europe, within the frames of the campaign of the Council of Europe: Europe, a common heritage. Having worked in a complete agreement and by a common methodology, the experts create a database of the most valuable cultural heritage of the region and computer maps of the regional cultural routes: antique, medieval, pilgrim etc. The image of the cultural heritage of South East Europe emerged as a popular common value. At a meeting in Sofia (September, 2000), with the participation of the European Institute of Cultural Routes, the experts adopted the maps and a Final Document – a message to the politicians from the region. The Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, in his capacity of a politician and also of a historian, accepted the message of the experts and carried it in the political space – at the Regional Forum in Varna, 2005.