BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills Conference Held in Pernik

Sofia Gospodinova, Filip Pavlov, BTA correspondent Elitsa Ivanova

Local conference in Pernik within the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project, January 24, 2025 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Pernik, Western Bulgaria,

24.01.2025 16:36

(BTA)

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Representatives of state, local and educational institutions participated in a conference at the National Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in Pernik (Western Bulgaria) on Friday. The event was part of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project and was held on the day of the opening of the 31st edition of the Surva International Festival of Masquerade Games.

Pernik's contribution to modern Europe is an example of preserving traditions, said BTA Director General Kiril Valchev at the opening of the conference. According to Valchev, the preservation of traditions inherited from ancestors, against the backdrop of the globalization of the world in many places in Europe, is being replaced by what is brought from outside, including by many migrants. Pernik is one of the European examples of opposing the creeping uniformity in Europe and preserving diversity in unity, which is the EU motto, he stressed.

The international network of BTA press clubs sends many and significant messages, said Pernik Regional Governor Lyudmil Veselinov. He thanked BTA that the agency's network is already very actively functioning and noted that Friday's conference is held on the day of the Surva International Festival of Masquerade Games. Veselinov said the tradition is very alive and active in Pernik, adding that it is no coincidence that the custom is part of the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO.

A cooperation agreement was signed by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and Pernik Mayor Stanislav Vladimirov during the local conference as well. The agreement is for cooperation and comprehensive coverage of the cultural calendar in Pernik and the Surva International Festival of Masquerade Games. "It is a great pleasure for me that today, as the Surva International Festival of Masquerade Games - Europe's largest winter festival and one of the greatest promotions not just for Pernik but for all of Bulgaria - kicks off, I am signing an agreement with the Bulgarian News Agency," Vladimirov said.

"The courses offered by the European Polytechnic University in Pernik are diverse, innovative, and aligned with European standards," said Rector Prof. Ivan Petkov. "We have nine accredited master’s degree programmes across four key areas," he added, highlighting programmes with high demand, such as Seismic Construction, Preservation of Buildings, Facilities, and Cultural Monuments, as well as master’s programmes focusing on green energy. The university is also actively collaborating with American and Chinese companies to develop a programme for capturing carbon monoxide emissions from thermal power plants to produce nitrogen fertilizers.

Through the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project, BTA aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. Until September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

/KK/