From April 8 to 10, 2024, the second partners’ meeting of the project “Creation of Blue Culture Technology Excellence Hubs in EU Widening Member States” took place in Valletta, Malta. Representatives from the Bulgarian organizations participating in the project attended, including the Center for Underwater Archaeology (CUA) under the Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (IICT) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), the Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF), and Aqua Prom Ltd. from Varna.
The main goal of the project is to establish consortia (hubs) of organizations that support the protection, research, management, valorization, promotion, and accessibility of underwater cultural heritage in each participating country – Greece, Malta, and Bulgaria. The Center for Underwater Archaeology is engaged in developing innovative technology and methodology for marine geophysical surveys using geo-electrical resistance in three-dimensional environments. During the meeting, activities and progress in building capacities for research and innovation in the maritime cultural heritage sector and the blue economy were discussed. Prototypes of technological solutions supporting scientific research on underwater cultural heritage, diver safety, and the development of underwater tourism were presented. The Maltese host partners organized a visit for participants to the central base of the Maltese consortium, located on the island of Gozo in the building of the Institute of Tourism Studies. At the end of the program, Prof. Timmy Gambin, a maritime archaeologist from the University of Malta, delivered an engaging presentation on Maltese underwater heritage using virtual reality goggles. This is part of his innovative educational program for students, which has been very successful. Virtual realities of underwater archaeological sites are also planned to be developed by the Institute of Information Technologies at BAS as part of the project activities.