Sozopol Promotes Cultural Heritage and Tourism

At a conference in Sozopol titled "Brand Sozopol and the Relics of the Baptist," Vice President Iliana Iotova praised the municipality’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage, calling it a fundamental challenge of civilization. She emphasized that cultural heritage is not just about artifacts and monuments, but also about the living elements that define our identity, CE Report quotes BTA

The conference focused on turning Sozopol’s rich history and archaeological sites into key assets for tourism and spiritual development. It addressed the poor condition of infrastructure on St. St. Kirik and Julita Island and stressed the need for the Ministry of Culture to take action. St. Ivan Island, home to the remains of the St. John the Forerunner Monastery, was also highlighted as a future tourist attraction. In late 2023, the municipality secured a ten-year management period for most of the island.

Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven announced he will celebrate the first liturgy in 500 years on St. Ivan Island on August 29, signaling the Bulgarian Orthodox Church's support for the island’s development.