Abstract:

In today’s globalized Europe, there are increasingly intensified processes of cultural intercourse, the role of the national cultural heritage is increasingly mentioned in the preservation of national identity and the development of national self-consciousness. Historically, religion has had a significant impact on cultural diversity, and it is not by accident that religious temples are studied not only as ritual temples, but also as cultural monuments.

Every nation is carefully preparing specialists to care for, protect and promote its cultural heritage. Bulgaria’s cultural heritage in its diversity is the subject of several specialties at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT). In ULSIT, studying Cultural Heritage is in the context of humanities and the main aim is to master the methodology of scientific knowledge in the field of cultural heritage. Students aim to build a complex of knowledge, habits and skills to use the fundamental foundations of history, archeology, architecture, fine arts, etc. that deepen their professional training.

The learning process in ULSIT in the field of cultural heritage is characterized by diverse and innovative forms and methods. Lectures and seminars are used, problem solving (the case-study method), preparation and defense of creative tasks, author’s presentations of research results. Audiovisual education technologies in this field are expanded and enriched by field research of different cultural sites either in the form of teaching practice or as part of the work on various scientific projects in which students take an active part. In these forms of practical training real knowledge and skills are acquired in registering and researching specific cultural monuments. Such results have been achieved in the realization of a project ДН15/4 към ФНИ от 11.12.2017.

The project title is “Creating a Model for Saveguarding, Socialization and Promoting of Orthodox Christian Monuments in Bulgaria”. The character of the research involves interviewing, meeting and talking with representatives of local authorities, priests and citizens, the subject being the state and future of Christian monuments on the territory of different regions of Bulgaria. The results of students’ interviews and talks with the local population, representatives of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the local authorities have highlighted the different specific policies and actions regarding the safeguarding of the religious heritage. The direct personal participation, observations and analyzes of the collected empirical material create a rich experience that students apply in the educational process and in their research activities. Effective implementation of such educational technologies is reflected in the various student scientific papers, presentations and diploma theses. The variety of registered activities for the preservation of Christian temples at the local level and the idea for young people to develop ideas for different cultural heritage conservation activities also create prerequisites for their popularization and application in respect of the preservation of other cultural monuments.

Keywords:

Cultural heritage, university education, religious monuments.