DIGITAL LIBRARY
THE ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL WRITERS’ MEETINGS IN SOFIA (1977 – 1986) AS A CREATIVE BASE FOR OVERCOMING THE GEOGRAPHICAL, ETHNICAL AND RACIAL BARRIERS TO LEARNING
University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (BULGARIA)
About this paper:
Appears in: ICERI2020 Proceedings
Publication year: 2020
Pages: 2319-2328
ISBN: 978-84-09-24232-0
ISSN: 2340-1095
doi: 10.21125/iceri.2020.0554
Conference name: 13th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
Dates: 9-10 November, 2020
Location: Online Conference
Abstract:
Introduction:
The International Writers' Meetings in Sofia (1977-1986) are an intellectual achievement that is part of the intangible cultural heritage of the world. This structural model, their role in the cultural integration between different peoples and their contributions to the constitution of a new type of cultural diplomacy could be applied in the development of a original digital algorithm in the frame of university information environment for student education. Through virtual models of the available information and archival units (photos, texts, sculptural artifacts) a reconstruction of the documented participation, statements, live communication, subsequent creative performances of the participating 880 writers from 78 countries could be achieved.

The paper aims are to investigate the specific details of the possibility to digitize the existing memoir and documentary facts, which will authentically illustrate the international creative dialogue during these forums, the mutual enrichment of the participants and the creative inspiration, which is a beneficial result of communication and learning about foreign cultures. The messages to the UN, UNESCO and the international educational community are the first signals that cultural diplomacy is an important factor in mutual understanding between nations. Through the methods of mixed reality, the impact of such a congressional discussion format would transform the assessment of these who are being educated, who perceive historical facts as boring. In nowadays world’s multicultural society the uniqueness of a nation will become increasingly valuable due to the tendency for global assimilation under the pressure of dominant cultures.
The main part of the report presents the conceptual model in the process of students' education, which focuses on the synchronization between factology, ideas and results on the basis of the virtual reconstruction of the past in order to overcome geographical, ethnic, racial, religious and social contradictions.

Conclusion:
The penetration of the past today through the methods of the new technologies is not only a possibility for collecting information, but it plays a deep psycho-socializing function, because the aggression observed in the new generations could be transformed into positive energy and amity through the adoption of equal cultural and particular educational cooperation between people all over the world.
Keywords:
Writers’ meetings, creative work, digitalization, education, cultural diplomacy, conceptual model, barriers, amity.