18.05.2026
Plovdiv Celebrated Bulgaria’s 70th Anniversary of UNESCO Membership with a “Day of Mosaics”
On May 16, 2026, the Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis hosted a special “Day of Mosaics,” dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the opening of the restored Roman mosaic heritage and the visitor center at the Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis, as well as the 70th anniversary of Bulgaria’s membership in UNESCO.
The festival portion of the event included an Open House at the Episcopal Basilica featuring educational and creative workshops for children, a walking tour for all ages, exhibitions, and musical performances.
A highlight of the program was the discussion on “UNESCO and the Cultural Heritage of Plovdiv,” which outlined the specific steps toward the nomination of “The Episcopal Basilica and the Late Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis,” along with the Small Basilica and the Late Antique “Irini” building, for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Episcopal Basilica and the Roman mosaic heritage of Philippopolis are included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of significant cultural and natural sites.
The event was attended by leading international and Bulgarian experts, including Francesco Bandarin, former director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Emanuele Zorino, mayor of the Italian city of Aquileia, a UNESCO World Heritage site; Prof. Dr. Elena Kantareva-Decheva, director of the “Old Plovdiv” Organization and restorer of the mosaics in the Episcopal Basilica; and others.
The discussion was opened by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO from 2009 to 2017. Nancy Schiller, President of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, Plovdiv Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, and Minister of Culture Evtim Miloshev welcomed the participants and guests.
The special “Day of Mosaics” at the Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis in Plovdiv was held under the patronage of the Bulgarian National Commission for UNESCO, and was organized by the Municipality of Plovdiv, the “Old Plovdiv” Municipal Enterprise, the “America for Bulgaria” Foundation, the Italian Embassy, EVN Bulgaria, LIDL, and others.