Author: Gabriela Alexandrova
The ninth edition of the International Festival "Days of Thracian Culture" began this June in Plovdiv. From the concert at the Roman Stadium, through exciting events for 6 days, to the awards for the winners of the literary competition "Heirs of the Thracians" - everything was subordinated to the concept of synthesis between Antiquity and modern culture. The popularization of the Thracian cultural heritage is the mission of the cultural center "Trakart", organizer of the festival since 2005. "Word and music" is its title. For the fourth time it is part of the cultural calendar of Plovdiv.
This year the focus of the program was the two-day scientific conference "Thracians - spirit and matter" with the participation of 27 famous Bulgarian scientists, who presented their latest research in the field of thracology.
Traditionally, the reports are without prior selection, but with one goal - Bulgarian science to discover and disseminate the contribution of Thrace and the people of the region in the development of modern European civilization. They are difficult to rank in order of importance. From works on Atlantis, on the culture of the Two Rivers, during the Hellenistic period, to the Renaissance. And just a few names as an example of the high level of the forum: Prof. Valeria Fol, Prof. Vanya Lozanova, Prof. Ivan Marazov, Assoc. Prof. Veselina Vachkova, Dr. Atanas Orachev…
"Zeuxipos or Byzantium - the city of the sun" by Prof. Lozanova, as well as "Slaveykov's Bible" by the Plovdiv publishing house "Niton" were the premiere books presented at the festival.
The premiere of the documentary "The Code" by director Tsvetan Simeonov also aroused great interest and heated controversy. In it, four authoritative scholars, in search of the Bulgarian identity, compare the chronicles of Theophanes the Confessor and Patriarch Nicephorus with the modern achievements of science. "Deadly Goddesses" - the second film title in the program (again by Tsvetan Simeonov) introduces us to the world of mythological nymphs. He made a tour of their sanctuaries in the lands of the Thracians.
There are still things to be seen in "Trakart" after the festival. This is the photo exhibition "Sboryanovo - nature and monuments, gods and people", which makes its first stop here before going on a world tour. It is organized in partnership with the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The aim of the exhibition is to show the international community one of the most interesting archeological reserves in Bulgaria.
In fact, there is always something to see in the Trakart Cultural Center. 160 sq.m of exquisite mosaics from a residential complex, probably episcopal from the 3rd - 4th century AD. The building is a cultural monument of national and world importance.
The exhibition "Glass in Ancient Art" is no less impressive. It traces the work with glass for 9 centuries - from the 5th century BC to the 4th century AD. , as well as seven different techniques for making it.
The Trakart team is behind the restoration and preservation of this cultural heritage. For nearly 20 years, the institution has opened a window for us to learn what the whole world knows. "We are happy in Plovdiv, but we seem to underestimate the wealth we have," says artist Georgi Ivanov-George Track. He is the creator, engine and guardian of the cultural institute. Together with a team of dedicated professionals he works for the socialization of the site. He is convinced that this wealth can be a capital that attracts millions of tourists, but also builds the national self-confidence of adolescents. And it is taking the next step - Trakart Research Center has been present for two years. In September we will witness the opening of "Trakart - Park".
Photos: Mila Penkova