General Information
Technical Information
The Ministry of Culture conducted consultations at three levels via written correspondence – with specialised directorates within the Ministry of Culture (1), ministries and agencies (2), civil society organisations (CSOs) (3). Information update on the sectoral measures to promote diverse forms of cultural expressions was obtained via designated directorates with the Ministry and the National Film Centre Executive Agency. There were consultations with all administrations involved in Convention-related activities and in creating conditions for implementing the principles of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Responses were received from the National Statistical Institute, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Environment and Water, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commission for Protection against Discrimination, State Institute for Culture within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Information was also obtained from certain civil society organisations (CSOs) in the field of culture.
The consultation process resulted in the conclusion that a large part of the cultural organisations and professional associations in the culture sector recognise the principles of the 2005 Convention as the guiding principles in their activities.
The outline of the measures presented probably does not fully reflect the information related to policy implementation in the field of promoting diversity of cultural expression forms, due to the conditions in which the analysis was eleborated – the COVID-19 pandemic.
A guiding principle in the state cultural policy of the Republic of Bulgaria is to guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are expressed by information awareness, communication, and free choice of cultural expression forms.
The citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms are ensured in the country's Constitution and cultural legislation. In this sense, the Ministry of Culture’s policies abide by the principles of equality and respect for all cultures; equal access to cultural heritage and to the diversity of cultural expression forms; protection of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.
The Republic of Bulgaria guarantees the right of persons from ethnic communities to disseminate and transmit their traditional cultural expression forms, as well as their right to have free access to those forms (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Culture Protection and Development Act). In this respect, linguistic diversity is especially protected as an important exchange factor (the Bulgarian Culture Protection and Development Act).
The Bulgarian Cultural Heritage Act contains provisions on the role of the state, municipalities and individuals in ensuring equal access to cultural assets, which are also a form of cultural expression. This Act stipulates the right of access to cultural assets as providing physical or intellectual access to those assets without them being damaged or compromised.
In implementing the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the Ministry of Culture builds its policies based on the assumption that cultural diversity is stimulated by the free exchange of ideas and interaction between cultures. In addition to this, we need to state the belief that preserving, promoting and maintaining cultural diversity is an essential condition prerequisite for sustainable development benefiting both current and future generations. Therefore, in all its actions, the Ministry seeks to enable the promotion of creativity, to support artists and professionals in the cultural sector; to assist various social groups in their strife to preserve their culture; to raise citizens' awareness of the diverse cultural expression forms, their promotion and the need to preserve them. In order to meet the needs of all these groups properly, the Ministry of Culture has established cooperation with non-governmental organisations, public and private institutions, artists and other professionals in the field of art and culture.
The Ministry's programmes are aimed at expanding the opportunities for developing cultural activities at all levels, ensuring equal access to funds for producing, distributing and exchanging cultural products and services. At the same time, financial support is provided to cultural and artistic institutions to encourage cultural diversity.
The implementation of an integrated approach to preserving and promoting cultural diversity is reflected in strategic planning of measures for sustainable social development. As a result, culture has become an essential and integral part of national plans for tackling demographic problems, for reducing poverty, for social inclusion, for regional development, for youth policy development, and the National concept of active ageing. All these measures contribute to achieving the general objectives of the 2020 National Development Programme of the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as those for sustainable development by 2030.
The Convention principles also lead the way in setting Bulgaria's Cooperation on Development policy. Cultural diversity protection is included as a priority in the Medium-Term Development Assistance and Humanitarian Aid Programme of the Republic of Bulgaria for the 2016-2019 period.
The National Strategy for the Promotion of Equality between Women and Men 2016-2020, drafted with the active participation of the Ministry of Culture, additionally contributes to eliminating stereotypes still existing in society regarding access to culture and support for creative works.
Bulgarian legislation outlines measures in line with the Convention:
- The Culture Protection and Development Act (CPDA, 1999), Article 2 outlines the basic principles of the national cultural policy, including: “promoting cultural diversity while preserving national culture cohesion” and “enabling the cultural industry and the arts market”. Further in Article 20, in order to protect national identity, there are measures to ensure that programmes, films, etc. with cultural content and priority treatment of culture appear on national media (subsidised).
- The Film Industry Act (FIA, 2003) - enables the development of national film industry by providing direct and indirect measures to support film production, distribution and projection.
- The Radio and Television Act (RTA) - stipulates that a minimum of 50% of total screen time shall be dedicated to European and Bulgarian productions. The law also regulates the option of broadcasting programmes in another language, including also for Bulgarian citizens whose native tongue is not Bulgarian.
- The Copyright and Related Rights Act (CRRA, 1993) - Without being explicitly mentioned in the Convention’s key texts (except in the Preamble), intellectual property is the basis of most cultural goods and services, as well as all kinds of cultural industries. Copyright protection helps maintain and develop the creative process in the interest of authors, artists, performers, producers, consumers, culture, industry and the general audience.
- Cultural Heritage Act - the objectives of this Act are to enable the preservation and protection of cultural heritage, sustainable development for its preservation policy and to ensure equal access to cultural assets for all citizens in compliance with the following principles: 1. equal treatment of different cultural heritage types; 2. decentralisation of management and funding for cultural heritage preservation activities; 3. publicity and transparency in managing cultural heritage preservation activities.
- Spatial Planning Act - regulates cultural heritage protection by governing the creation of “protected areas” and areas under special territorial development protection.
Organization type | Organization | Website | |
---|---|---|---|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria
| I.Bojidarova@mc.government.bg
| http://www.mc.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria
| RBazaytova@mc.government.bg
| http://www.mc.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria
| G.Vladimirov@mc.government.bg
| http://www.mc.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria
| axenia.boneva@mc.government.bg
| http://www.mc.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria
| d.dikova@mc.government.bg
| http://www.mc.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| Execitive Agency National Film Center
| irina@nfc.bg
| http://www.nfc.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Youth and Sport
| Denitsa.Pancheva@mpes.government.bg
| http://www.mpes.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Education and Sciences
| k.todorova@mon.bg
| http://www.mon.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
| dobrinka.boneva@mlsp.government.bg
| http://www.mlsp.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Envioronnment and Whater
| liliya.markova@moew.government.bg
| http://www.moew.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| National Statistical Institute
| SKateliev@nsi.bg
| http://www.nsi.bg
|
Public Sector
| National Culture Fund
| dtzankova@abv.bg
| http://www.ncf.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| Yavor.KOINAKOV@mfa.bg
| http://www.mfa.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs
| Hristo.GEORGIEV@mfa.government.bg
| http://www.mfa.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Culture
| a.dimitrova@mc.government.bg
| http://www.mc.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Culture
| m.kacarova@mc.government.bg
| http://www.mc.government.bg
|
Public Sector
| Commision for Protection against Discrimination
| t.kanchevski@kzd.bg
| https://www.kzd-nondiscrimination.com
|
Private Sector
| Blok Kino
| irina@nfc.bg
| https://blok-kino.com/
|
Public Sector
| St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library
| http://www.nationallibrary.bg
| |
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| Public Community Centres Union
| Union.chit@abv.bg
| https://unionchitalishta.eu/
|
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| Bulgarian Writers Union
| https://sbp.bg
| |
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| Union of Bulgarian Artists
| http://www.uba.bg
|
Goal 1 - Support Sustainable Systems of Governance for Culture
Cultural and Creative Sectors
Policies and Programmes for promoting cultural diversity
The financial resources allocated for implementing this measure amount to USD 2,279,786, of which USD 1,225,743 was spent on music and dance arts and USD 1,054,045 was spent on funding theatrical art and cinema projects.
Annual reports present the benefits and contributions to developing this sector as a result of the support provided.
Providing State aid to support the Bulgarian film industry in compliance with the Film Industry Act.
Funding provided by the State budget - USD 31,422,324
Amendments to the Film Industry Act and its Implementing Regulations are currently under way. The amendments are aimed at providing additional resources for film industry development, the introduction of new economic instruments in the form of a reimbursement scheme for Bulgarian and foreign producers, etc.
Funding Projects in the Field of Movable Cultural Heritage, Museums and Visual Arts – via call for proposals and targeted financial support.
Funding is provided by the State budget - USD 900,615
Annual reports present the benefits and contributions to developing this sector as a result of the support provided.
Support for developing Bulgarian culture and art, Bulgarian publishing sector, libraries and community centres
Funding is provided by the state budget.
"Book Aid" - The financial framework for the 4-year period is USD 231,472.
USD 69,442 were allocated for organising and holding the National Award Ceremony "Hr. G. Danov" for the last 4-year period.
The "Bulgarian Libraries - Contemporary Reading and Awareness Centres" Program had a financial framework of USD 1,736,040 for the 4-year period.
TOTAL: 2,036,954 USD
Annual reports present the benefits and contributions to developing this sector as a result of the support provided.
Festivals, contests, cultural events and celebrations. Financial support for activities in the field of non-professional artworks, literary, publishing and intangible cultural heritage
Funding is provided by the State budget
Annual reports present the benefits and contributions to developing this sector as a result of the support provided.
Public community centres - Bulgarian cultural and educational associations
USD 323,100
Annual reports present the benefits and contributions to developing this sector as a result of the support provided.
Special programmes for education and training in cultural management in the arts, culture and creative works sectors
2016 - 5,000 USD; 2017 - 6,000 USD; 2018 - 12,000 USD; 2019 - 5,000 USD
Melpomena National Program
Funding is provided by the State budget.
Personal development support centres in the pre-school and school education systems
Funding is provided by the State budget.
StARTs - Entrepreneurship Training and Establishment of Training Enterprises in Art Schools and Sports Schools
From the State budget.
Promoting the Creative Development of Young People
From the State Budget - USD 1,041,624
The measure is highly assessed, it has contributed over the years, and tends towards expanding.
Website - mc.government.bg, "Protection of Children with Evident Talents" section.
Cultural Heritage Programme of the National Culture Fund
For the 2016 - 2019 - 199,160 USD (total amount)
Annual publication of a report and analysis on the NCF website. This measure is evolving positively, trending towards gradual expansion.
Translation Programme of the National Culture Fund
Total amount for the period 2016 - 2019 - 77,249 USD
Annual publication of a report and analysis on the NCF website. This measure is evolving positively, trending towards gradual expansion.
National Youth Strategy 2010-2020
Funding is provided by the State budget
Media Diversity
Policy for Promoting the circulation of European works in linear and non-linear services
Funds for production and dissemination of European works under the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
Funds from the National Film Centre
Funds from media service providers for the production and dissemination of European works.
There is a need to enhance and promote the production and dissemination of European works in order to overcome the fragmentation of the European audiovisual market and to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.
Transparency of media ownership (covered domains - Media & Printed Works)
From the budget of the Ministry of Culture - resources for establishing a register under Art. 7a
The measure is new.
Accessibility to media services for the visually or hearing impaired
The resources required for this measure have not been calculated yet.
The measure is new.
Changing gender stereotypes currently existing in society in different areas of public life
Digital Environment
Developing Media Literacy Skills (covered domain - media)
The measure is new.
Digitalising the archive of immovable cultural assets of global and national importance, creating a specialized information system, electronic register and public portal (covered domains - Digitalisation, cultural heritage)
1,146,624 USD
Operational programme "Good Governance" run by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, co-financed by the European Social Fund.
No, the project has not ended yet.
Distribution of cultural content in digital environment
2016 - 5,000 USD; 2017 - 6,000 USD; 2018 - 5,000 USD; 2019 - 5,000 USD
Promoting cultural heritage by digitising valuable collections held by libraries and making them available in open information media (covered domains - Digitalisation, cultural heritage, libraries)
Partnering with Civil Society
Dialogue between the Ministry of Culture Dialogue and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
Training and mentoring to build communication skills for civil society organisations involved in promoting diversity of cultural expression forms. Maintaining communication models between public authorities and CSOs
2016 - 12,000 USD; 2017 - 11,000 USD; 2018 - 10,000 USD; 2019 - 16,000 USD
Goal 2 - Achieve a Balanced Flow of Cultural Goods and Services and Increase the Mobility of Artists and Cultural Professionals
Mobility of Artists and Cultural Professionals
Mobility Cultural Contact Programme of the National Culture Fund
Total amount for the period 2016 - 2019 - 409,244 USD
Assessment is performed annually with a report and analysis published on the NCF website.
Policies and measures to support foreign mobility of artists and cultural professionals, support for cultural professionals to participate in international cultural forums.
2016 - 16,000 USD; 2017 - 19,000 USD; 2018 -18,000 USD; 2019 - 18,000 USD
Flow of Cultural Goods and Services
Alleviated Requirements for Labour Market Access for Performers from Third Countries
Bulgarian Cultural Institutes Abroad
6,620,120 USD for the period 2016 - 2019
Yes. The activities and results are reported and analysed annually through the BCI reports.
Treaties and agreements
Ratification of Conventions, Signing Bilateral Agreements
The measure is funded within the budgets of the respective ministries (from both Sides) and departments.
Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Co-production
The measure is new.
Goal 3 - Integrate Culture in Sustainable Development Frameworks
National Sustainable Development Policies & Plans
Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedures (Integration of cultural heritage into national sustainable development policies.)
National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2020 (NDP BG 2020) Vision, objectives and priorities of the National Development Programme BULGARIA 2030 (to be adopted).
State budget
Innovative Strategy for Smart Specialisation 2014-2020
The total budget of OPIC 2014-2020 amounts to EUR 1.39 billion, with funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounting to nearly EUR 1.18 billion (85% of the budget) and national co-financing amounting to EUR 209 million (15% of the budget).
Policy for Including Disabled People in Social Cultural Life as Creators of Cultural Assets or Cultural Produce Users
International Cooperation for Sustainable Development
Medium-term Programme for Development Support and Humanitarian Aid for the Republic of Bulgaria for the 2016-2020 period; Bulgaria-UNESCO Trust Fund
According to the estimated budget indicators, development assistance shall be provided under the "Protection of Cultural Diversity" thematic priority, as follows: 2016 - 28,848 USD; 2017 - 34,616 USD; 2018 - 40,385 USD; 2019 - 40,385 USD.
Support for Cultural Diversity Preservation and Intercultural Dialogue
The "Promoting Bulgarian Culture Abroad" Programme for the 2016 - 2020 period - 7 074 646 USD
In the annual reports and policy analyses of the Ministry of Culture.
Goal 4 - Promote Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Gender Equality
National Strategic Documents towards Promoting Equality between Women and Men
The implementation of the measures set forth in the plans shall be presented in annual reports, the preparation of which shall be coordinated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy based on information submitted by the competent authorities. The reports are available on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in the "Policies" section, subsection "Equal opportunities"/ "Legislation", under the heading "Bulgarian legislation"https://www.mlsp.government.bg/index.php?section=POLICIESI&I=409
Programme for Socially-oriented and Community Arts of the National Culture Fund
Total amount for the period 2016 - 2019 - USD 117,399
Annual publishing of a report and analysis on the National Culture Fund website. This measure is evolving positively, trending towards gradual expansion.
Artistic Freedom
Preserving and Promoting the Cultural Identity of Ethnic Communities, and Disadvantaged Individuals and Groups
Regular reports of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Positive assessment for the policy.
Measures and Initiatives reported by Civil Society Organizations
MOVIE BLOCK
Union of Bulgarian Actors
Emerging Transversal Issues
Challenges and Achievements
Annexes
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