Bulgaria declared a state of emergency in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shutting down cultural institutions. The Ministry of Culture launched efforts to restore activities, including strategic planning, updating documentation, and holding online meetings. Cultural centers postponed events but used online platforms to promote intangible cultural heritage through photos and videos. The Ministry is preparing guidelines for gradually reopening museums, cultural centers, and other organizations working in the field of intangible cultural heritage.

1. Intangible Cultural Heritage in
emergencies:
Responding to the COVID‐19 pandemic

2. Pandemic impact on cultural life in Bulgaria from
March to June 2020
Since 13 March, the state has entered into a state of
emergency;
Interruption of cultural institutions’ work;
An epidemic situation of emergency was declared;
A process was launched to restore the activities of
cultural institutions –theatres, museums and galleries,
libraries, community centres, NGOs. Currently
outdoor and indoor events can take place using 50% of
the space capacity.

3. Activities of the Ministry of Culture:
 Strategic planning in the field of culture and cultural
heritage;
 Updated ICH‐related documentation;
 Carrying out online discussions, workshops, a meeting
of the National Council on ICH and the National
Council on Community Centre Activities;
 Preparation of methodological guidelines and
recommendations for the gradual restoration of the
activities of museums, community centres and other
organizations working in the field of ICH.

4. Activities of community centres:
• Postponement of ICH‐related events;
• Use of modern technological means of
communication – websites, Facebook, online
platforms;
• Presentation of photos, recordings, exhibitions,
videos to promote ICH;
• Restoration of activities in community centres.

5. Thank you for your attention!
Silva Hatcherian, Sc.D.
Head of Regional Activities Department
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria