The Rousse library with a new multifunctional hall and quality presentation of culture and art + VIDEO – Rousse.Info

“Lyuben Karavelov” Regional Library in Ruse is the only library in Bulgaria that implemented a project under the program “Cultural Entrepreneurship, Heritage and Cooperation” with the priority axis “Improved Management of Cultural Heritage”, Sub-result 1.1. “Cultural heritage presented in revitalized, restored and renovated places” of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021.

For 22 months, the cultural institute has been working on the project “Innovators in cultural entrepreneurship and new opportunities for culture and art in a revitalized multifunctional hall of a public library”. The granted grant under the program is worth EUR 409,937.94 or BGN 801,768.93.

Partners of the cultural institute are “Center Dynamics” Association and “Bulgarian Association of Independent Artists Animators – Proyko Proikov”.

Thanks to the project idea, the cinema-chamber theater in the cultural institute, which for more than 30 years was not used as intended and was falling apart, was renovated and equipped and turned into a modern multi-purpose hall. It provides excellent conditions for promoting cultural heritage and innovative forms in the field of art and culture.

Within the framework of the project, an emphasis was placed on the audio-visual heritage in the field of animated cinema by realizing the first for Ruse Festival of animated cinema “Where my dreams take me”. The initiative is unique and unique in North-Eastern Bulgaria and attracted more than 200 children from the “Ivan Vazov” and “Olimpi Panov” primary schools and from the Social Services Complex. The festival lasted 7 days and combined educational initiatives and screenings.

An interactive exhibition of three-dimensional paintings under the motto “Triumph of Imagination” was also exhibited in the renovated multifunctional hall. The theme “Triumph of Imagination” corresponds to the vast world of children’s imagination, filled with magical images and adventures. Each picture presented a realistic shot of the child’s imaginary world and became an experience.

In line with the goals of the funding program, the project made it possible to create better conditions in the public library that would attract people from socially vulnerable groups. On the initiative of the “Center Dynamics” Association, participants in the Theater Studio “I want to be a star” performed there. It covered 25 children from vulnerable groups in preschool and school age. Under the guidance of two expert psychologists and screenwriter and director Iglika Peeva, the children participated in 8 trainings and presented two plays on stage – “Fairy Earthquake” and “Lost Honesty”. Within the framework of the project, the “Wonderful World Through the Lens” Photography Studio also opened its doors. 15 children from vulnerable groups with interests in this field will participate in it, divided into two groups. The participants in the workshop got acquainted with the photographic genres, the possibilities of composing the shot and the correct use of light, image processing and artistic effects. They presented their works in two exhibitions.

Another important stage of the project is the prepared five-year Plan for cultural entrepreneurship with a vision of developing the renovated objects, attracting an audience and generating additional income from cultural products. It is also important to upgrade the skills of the library workers who participated in a three-day training in cultural entrepreneurship in the city of Kavarna. Within the framework of the project, two new jobs were also opened – Event Organizer and Animator.

With the implementation of the project, an improvement of the conditions and quality of presentation of the cultural heritage in the largest public library in Ruse was achieved. This happened by creating entrepreneurial ideas and promoting diversity in culture and art to ensure broad public access to cultural content. The importance of culture and movable cultural heritage for local and regional development, for ensuring employment and social inclusion has been confirmed.

The achieved specific goals of the project are:

Increasing spaces for access to cultural content. The revitalization of an unusable room in the “Lyuben Karavelov” Regional Library allows it to be put into operation and used for its intended purpose. Improvements were made to the Cultural Monument building, part of Ruse’s architectural heritage. The spaces for presenting traditional and innovative cultural content have increased.

Creating good conditions for the presentation of cultural heritage. By equipping according to modern requirements, the revitalized room has become a multifunctional hall. Conditions are created for quality presentation of local and national cultural heritage.

Development of cultural entrepreneurship and additional skills among library workers. A strategy was drawn up to attract new audiences and to increase the income of the cultural institute. Focusing on cultural entrepreneurship created a condition for acquiring new knowledge and developing additional skills for the library team.

Promotion of innovative and diverse forms for culture and art. The good material base in the “Lyuben Karavelov” Regional Library creates a prerequisite for attracting artists from all over the world in various fields of art and culture, as well as for creating and promoting innovative forms of various types of creative products.

Attracting audiences. Quality promotion of cultural heritage, as well as diverse and innovative forms of art and culture, meet the needs of the audience and lead to the attraction of more audiences.

Affirmation of the social significance of culture and art. The good material base and the development of cultural entrepreneurship create conditions for providing additional employment. They provide an opportunity for expression and integration of socially vulnerable groups.

Expanding the partner network. The good conditions for creative activity and the presentation of diverse forms in culture and art, as well as the confirmation of the contribution of culture to social inclusion, create a prerequisite for new partnerships and the joint realization of more creative ideas.