ICOM Annual Assembly 2026 – Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM

ICOM plays an active role in the museum sector of Bulgaria in 2025

The Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM plays an active role in the museum sector in 2025, it became clear from the organisation’s report made during the annual reporting and election meeting. The members of the organisation elected the current chairman Prof. Dr. Svetla Dimitrova for a second term, the vice-chairmen are Dr. Aksiniya Buteva and Elka Penkova, the secretary is Kalin Todorov, and the members are Alexander Valchev, Petar Stefanov and Teodor Yorgov.

In 2025, the activities of the Bulgarian National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) are aimed at strengthening the professional community of museum specialists, expanding international contacts and participating in key discussions related to the development of the museum sector and the preservation of cultural heritage. The organisation continues to affirm its role as an expert platform that connects Bulgarian museums with international processes in the field of museology.

Institutional development and professional community

During the year, the governing bodies of the organisation hold a series of meetings, at which issues related to the regulatory framework of museum activities, expert opinions to state institutions and the participation of the committee in national initiatives affecting cultural heritage are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the synchronisation of the organisation’s founding act with the statute of the international structure of ICOM.

A significant step in the development of the organisation is the adoption of a statute for the annual awards of the Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM. They aim to distinguish the best museum practices and scientific research in the field of museology and thus stimulate the professional development of museum specialists.

Three awards were presented at a special ceremony after the end of the annual meeting.

The jury’s award in the category “Contribution to museum activities” was awarded to Lyubomir Merdzhanov, curator and head of the “Antiquity” fund at the Regional Archaeological Museum – Plovdiv.

Tihomir Tsarov, Chief Expert “Public Relations” of REMO “Etar” was awarded for active and broad public work in the field of communication and popularisation of museum activities.

The award for professional authority, significant institutional contribution and participation in exhibition and project activities was presented to Valentina Taneva, Deputy Director of the Regional History Museum – Pazardzhik.

By the end of 2025, the organisation had 177 members – about 30 more than in the previous year. This shows increased interest in the activities of the committee and its role as a professional platform for the exchange of ideas and experience among museum specialists.

Projects and expert activity

Among the main professional initiatives during the year is the work on the project “Stories of the Stolen Past”, funded by the National Fund “Culture”. The project is aimed at the problems of illegal trafficking of cultural values and at increasing public awareness on the topic of preserving cultural heritage.

The organisation’s expert activities also include consultations with structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria in connection with the search for cultural values and participation in an international INTERPOL project for online monitoring and identification of objects of potential illegal origin.

Within the framework of international professional cooperation, representatives of the committee also participate in the activities of the newly established technical committee of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage. At expert meetings, new standards for preventive conservation, classification of damage to various materials and measures for the protection of museum collections in the event of natural disasters and fires are discussed.

International participation

The Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM continues its active participation in the international structures of the organisation. Representatives of the committee participate in the meetings of the ICOM Advisory Council, as well as in the General Conference of the organisation, held in November in Dubai.

The theme of the forum – “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities” – focuses on the role of intangible cultural heritage, youth participation and the integration of new technologies in museum activities. The conference discussed new approaches to engaging audiences, as well as opportunities for using digital technologies in the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage.

Relevance for the museum sector

The activities of the Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM in 2025 demonstrate a desire for more active participation of Bulgarian museum professionals in international professional processes. Through expert initiatives, projects and participation in international forums, the organisation continues to work to strengthen the professional community and to affirm the role of museums as important institutions for preservation and interpretation of the cultural heritage.