site.btaBulgarian Culture Minister Confers with German Minister of State for Culture and Media

Bulgaria’s Culture Minister Krastyu Krastev conferred with Germany’s Minister of State for Culture and the Media Claudia Roth during his working visit to Berlin, his Ministry’s press centre said on Friday. Krastev negotiated German support for Bulgaria in raising the issue of the renovation of art- and culture-related old buildings at the EU level; joint work and mutual support for ideas and solutions for improving the work of the cultural sector; and joint work within the EU on cultural memory dealing with historical trauma.

The cultural passport scheme aimed at providing wide access to culture was also discussed during the meeting. Claudia Roth shared the German experience in this regard. She and Krastev discussed the possibility of such a scheme being supported by the European Commission and introduced by all EU Member States.

Projects related to the goals of green transition and achieving a net-zero economy were also discussed. Krastev suggested that the EU Member States consider a joint project for the renovation of art- and culture-related old buildings so as to improve their energy performance. Roth said that this problem has not been addressed in Germany, adding that if Bulgaria makes a proposal to the European Commission for such a programme, her country will support it.

Roth invited Krustev to open the Berlinale Festival along with her. Both ministers agreed to work together on the promotion of artists from both countries at various festivals. At the end of the meeting, Krastev invited Roth to pay a working visit to Bulgaria.

Friday's meeting was also attended by the Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Culture, Amelia Gesheva, Bulgarian Ambassador to Germany Grigor Porozhanov and the Director of Bulgarisches Kulturinstitut Berlin, Borislav Petranov.