The roundtable will bring together leading experts from Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, and Morocco in the fields of architecture, restoration, construction, and the preservation of immovable cultural heritage, as well as representatives of national and local institutions, professional and trade organizations, universities, cultural institutions, and other stakeholders.
The main objective of the discussion is to identify specific opportunities for developing a more systematic, comprehensive, and sustainable policy for the protection of places of worship, as well as to strengthen institutional commitment and coordination in their preservation, restoration, and adaptation to contemporary societal needs.
The roundtable will focus on:
- opportunities for improving the regulatory framework and administrative procedures related to conservation, restoration, and repair work on churches—immovable cultural heritage;
- improving coordination between the Ministry of Culture, the National Institute for Cultural Heritage, local authorities, religious institutions, designers, restorers, and builders;
- discussion of the need for and possibilities of establishing a specialized expert unit within the Ministry of Culture and/or the National Institute for Cultural Heritage, focused on projects related to religious buildings;
- developing more sustainable mechanisms and programs to fund restoration, conservation, and repair work on churches through national and European funds and programs;
- opportunities for developing specialized programs to support places of worship of high architectural, historical, and cultural value;
- the need for training and practical guidelines for clergy and church councils regarding permissible interventions, the preparation of investment projects, restoration work, and the specific requirements for working with immovable cultural heritage;
- presentation and analysis of successful international models and best practices in the management, restoration, and adaptation of religious complexes;
- the application of innovative technologies, modern survey methods, and traditional construction techniques in the preservation of sacred architecture;
- establishing a stronger connection between professional expertise, government institutions, local authorities, the academic community, and the owners and caretakers of the temples.
Preserving places of worship is not merely a matter of restoring buildings—it is a responsibility toward historical memory, spiritual identity, and the legacy we pass on to future generations.
