site.btaIrina Bokova: Culture, Education, Science Are "Soft Power" which Can Win against Hatred and Destruction

Irina Bokova: Culture, Education, Science Are "Soft Power" which Can Win against Hatred and Destruction

Sofia, December 12 (BTA) - Addressing an international forum entitled "The contribution of UNESCO Member States of South-Eastern Europe to the dissemination and implementation of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003" in Sofia, UNESCO's Director-General Irina Bokova said that "especially today, at a time of conflicts, violence and division, culture, education and science are 'the soft power' which can win against hatred and destruction. This is the message we want to keep sending."

The conference is held on the occasion of UNESCO's 70th anniversary.

In 2016, new elements will be added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Deputy Culture Minister Boil Banov said. This will promote unique Bulgarian traditions and will help to visualize the Bulgarian National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Some of the major folk festivals will be held next year, said Banov.

Deputy Foreign Minister Roumen Alexandrov and Deputy Education and Science Minister Kostadin Kostadinov addressed the participants. Also participating were Sofia Deputy Mayor Todor Chobanov, representatives of universities and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and diplomats.