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MATRIX: A Proactive Approach for Adolescents. , 201 2 г.
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MATRIX: A Proactive Approach for Adolescents , 2012 г. “This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”
Bulgaria Year of EU entry:2007 Political system:Republic Capital city:Sofia Total area:111 910 km² Population:7.3 million Currency:lev Listen to the official EU language:Bulgarian
Located in the heart of the Balkans, Bulgaria offers a highly diverse landscape: the north is dominated by the vast lowlands of the Danube and the south by the highlands and elevated plains. In the east, the Black Sea coast attracts tourists all year round. Founded in 681, Bulgaria is one of the oldest states in Europe. Its history is marked by its location near Europe’s frontier with Asia. Some 85% of the population are Orthodox Christians and 13% Muslims. Around 10% of the population are of Turkish origin while 3% are Roma. Similarly, its traditional dishes are a mixture of east and west. The most famous Bulgarian food must be yoghurt, with its reputed gift of longevity for those who consume it regularly.
The Bulgarian National Assembly (a single chamber parliament) consists of 240 members who are elected for a four-year period. Bulgaria’s main exports are light industrial products, foods and wines, which are successfully competing on European markets. Fans of folk music will be familiar with a number of Bulgarian musicians. A Bulgarian folk song was included on the Voyager Golden Record which was sent into outer space by NASA.
PLOVDIVAncient and Eternal , 2012 г. “This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and an administrative center of Plovdiv County. It is situated in the Upper Thracian Plain (Gornotrakiyska Nizina), on the both banks of the Maritsa river. The population of the city is about 350,000 people. The climate is transitional–continental with mild winters and hot summers. The town in its present appearance was built around seven hills – the hills of Plovdiv (Plovdiv Tepes) which are an inseparable part of the city’s history. Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe – the beginning of its history dates back to 4,000 years BC. In the beginning the ancient settlement was situated on the natural elevation between Nebet, Taksim and Dzhambaz hills (the Three Hills). In ancient times Thracians inhabited the Three Hills and built a fortified settlement – the largest city in Thrace. In the 2nd century BC Plovdiv was conquered by Phillip of Macedonia. He gave the city one of its many names – Phillipopolis, and had it surrounded by thick fortified walls. Later the Thracians regained their power over the city, but after a series of battles in the 1st century AD it became a part the Roman Empire.
During the period of the Roman Empire, Plovdiv (at those times – Trimontium) was an important regional center. The city flourished with a large-scale construction of buildings, facilities and roads. Numerous well-preserved artifacts had remained from those times, such as cobble stoned streets, fortress walls, buildings, water supply and sewerage systems. The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and a cultural and economic center of southern Bulgaria. There are many accommodation options here – from luxurious hotels to hostels. The main street of the city offers excellent opportunities for entertainment and shopping; the restaurants options are numerous.
Antiquity Ancient Theater This is one of the best preserved ancient theaters in the world. Built at the end of 1st – thebeginning of 2nd century under Emperor Trajan, the theater was one of the major public buildings of the ancient Philipopolis. It is situated on the southern slope of Three-hills in the saddle between Dzhambaztepe and Taksimtepe. In addition to theatrical performances it was used for gladiators’ and hunting games. It was active until the fifth century and had capacity of 6000 spectators. In 1981 it was partially restored. Now this site has beens fully adapted to the Plovdiv’s modern cultural life and holds different types of performances with capacity of about 3,500 spectators.
In the end of 1st century AD Philipopolis obtained a new urban development plan and center /Forum/ following a Roman model. The Forum complex, parts of which can be seen today on both sides of the Central Post Office, is the largest in Bulgaria. In the northern part of the forum complex is situated the Odeon. The ancient Odeon with capacity of 300 – 350 seats is one of the most recent archaeological sensations of the city. It served as the seat of the city council of Philipopolis. Both in antiquity and nowadays Odeon is used for chamber, theatrical, musical and literary events. Ancient Forum with Odeon
Ancient Stadium The Stadium is located in a hollow between Sahattepe and Teksimtepe. Almost 250 meters long, it occupies the space along today’s main street “Knyaz Alexander I” next to the Mosque square, where its northern end and sector of the fortress wall of 2nd – 4th century are displayed. Sporting events, as well as gladiator and animal fights were held here. Its capacity was about 30 000 spectators.
Eirene Late Antiquity Building There is a remarkable floor decoration of an aristocratic house from the end of 3rd century in the Arheologicheski underpass. It is known as the Eirene House because of the mosaic with image of a woman, signed with that same name which was found there. The mosaics of this building combine visual elements of eastern and western Roman provinces and are evidence of the existence of local mosaic studio.
Hisar Kapiya The Eastern gate of the inner fortress of the Three-hills, built in 5th – 6th century, is now popular with the Turkish name of Hissar Kapiya /Fortress Gate/. Today, Hissar Kapiya is known as one of the city’s symbols.
Sahattepe Clock Tower West of Three-hills rises Sahattepe /Danov’s hill/ with its famous Clock Tower. The Tower can be reached from the Mosque Square in 5-6 minutes walking. The earliest record of the Tower dates back to 1623. It was built in its present appearance in 1812 and is 17.5 m high. In 1883, a new large clock, made in Vienna, was installed.
Renaissance Balabanov’s House The house was built in the early nineteenth century and is located between the 4th January, Dr. K. Stoilov and Antranik streets. The oblong vestibule with a high ceiling presents the historical charm of the house, around which industrial and household premises were located. The upper floor can be reached by an internal staircase, which introduces into a large glazed hall /hayet/ around which are situated four rooms. Currently, the house is used as a multifunctional cultural center.
Hindliyan House The house was built by an unknown master-builder in 1835-1840 according to the taste of the rich merchant and entrepreneur Stepan Hindliyan. It is the most richly ornamented of all preserved houses in the Old Town. All rooms are covered in drawings from the inside and outside. The ceilings are painted in an oriental pattern with great taste. Together with the unique alafrangs and beautiful naïvistic landscapes of Constantinople, Venice, Alexandria, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, they give a unique personality to each room. An Enoteca was found in the basement – a promotional center of fine wines from all over Bulgaria.
Arghir Kuyumdzhiouglu’s House The house was built in 1847 bythe master-builder Hadji Georgi. Inside of it, there are representations of traditional material and spiritualculture of the Bulgarians who lived in the region of Plovdiv, Rhodope Mountains and Srednogorie during theNational Revival. Among the many museum collections, those of brassware, pottery, weapons, shepherdswood-carving, jewelry and church items, sewn and crocheted laces, costumes from the entire Bulgarian ethnicterritory, musical instruments, and urban decorstand out.
Nedkovich House Built in 1863 in the spirit of European classicism, the house of Plovdiv’s merchant and public person Nicola Nedkovich, respects viewers with a richly decorated facade and a four-column solemn portico. The rooms on the first floor are located symmetrically on both sides of a wide lounge /hayet/. The exhibition in the house presents the inner order of the wealthy Plovdiv houses of 19th century and includes furniture and belongings of the Nedkovich family.
Plovdiv - Perperikon Perperikon archaeological complex includes four main parts. Megalithic sanctuary of the IV-V century BC, which is believed to be the famous sanctuary of Dionysus. On this sacred ancient Thracians served food of the gods, and wine, which are poured on the altars, predicted the future is our future. Here you can see dozens of niches carved into the rocks and altars, and so. sharapani (wine press). From the later period are built strong fortress walls and fences. Interestingly, all the walls have no bond and are intricately connected directly to the solid rock. Established in the period when, according to experts Perperikon experienced its greatest prosperity along with Troy and Mycenae. The interior of the Acropolis is lined with residential buildings and temples, as it is interesting that the ground floors of dwellings are carved directly into the rocks. There are preserved streets, sewers, and specially cut flaps of rainwater.
Assen's fortress The fortress was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great (527-565) in the VI century to protect the old Roman road connecting Thrace with the Aegean. Located on four terraces and occupies an area of 15 acres. Stone wall in places reaches a height of 10-15 m, where excavations have unearthed the foundations of some buildings of the citadel - a feudal castle, tower, two reservoirs, military facilities, military chapel, built on an ancient Thracian sanctuary.
Bachkovski Monastery 29 km from Plovdiv is the second largest after the Rila Monastery - Bachkovo monastery, founded in 1083 g.ot brothers Gregory and Abasii Bakuriani - senior captains Byzantine, Georgian by origin. Like most other Bulgarian monasteries, and he was robbed and destroyed several times. Restoration of the monastery began in the late XVI century. Church "St. Mary "was built in 1604 Church and still keep one of the oldest gilt wood-carved iconostasis in the country.
INTERNATIOANL FAIR PLOVDIV The International Fair in Plovdiv is a member of UFI /The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry/. The fair complex is a modern exhibition center, located on 352 000 sq. m., it has 17 multifunctional exhibition pavilions equipped with everything necessary for exhibition of all kinds of goods. The total exhibition area amounts to 159 100 sq. m, 94 600 sq. m. of which is open space and 64 500 sq. m. is covered.
