Problems of the Bulgarian Cultural and Historical Heritage (CHH) in the Context of the Regional Development

1. Summary In the present report general information about the state institutions and non- governmental organizations engaged with the activities for protection and utilization of CHH is given. The basic financial and institutional problems mainly from the point of view of regional development are outlined. Formulation of the problems and its solution way are given with the view of modern tendencies towards the integration of the CHH with the other spheres of social life and its transformation into a factor of economical activity. From this point of view some regional programs for the protection and utilization of CHH, as well Bulgarian participation in international projects in this sphere are described. 1. Both the investigations in the field of CHH and the practical solving of its individual problems in some regions of Bulgaria clearly show that CHH turns more and more from a subject of study and protection into an active element of the modern life and dynamically integrates with other social spheres. Just that very understanding in the present report is at the basis of the approach to both the formulation of the problems and the way to solve them. Here the integrated approach means that the problems of the investigation, protection est. of the CHH will be formulated with the view of their close co-operation with tourism, environment protection, finances, building of the infrastructure on a regional, national and transnational plan. From local and regional development view point that means the optimal model of development of the different towns, localities and regions to be developed as ensembles of typical cultural and historical face.