From 4 to 12 October 2025, the international seminar “Preserving and Exploring Underwater Cultural Heritage – Capacity Building, Exchange, and Training in the Field of Underwater Archaeology” was held in Sozopol, organized by the Centre for Underwater Archaeology within the framework of UNESCO’s Participation Programme.
The event was a natural continuation of the initiative launched in 2021 and once again brought together specialists from countries across the Balkans and North Africa. This year’s edition welcomed eight young experts representing Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Montenegro, Romania, and North Macedonia.
The main goal of the seminar was to foster the exchange of experience, the establishment of international connections, and cooperation in the field of underwater cultural heritage. Participants presented the current state of underwater archaeology in their respective countries, while the CUA team conducted a series of lectures, practical training sessions, and field demonstrations.
The programme covered a wide range of topics and activities, including:
- lectures on marine geophysics (Eng. Kiril Velkovski), photogrammetry (Dr. Pavel Georgiev), RTI – Reflectance Transformation Imaging (Dr. Zdravka Georgieva), and conservation of finds from aquatic environments (Dr. Violeta Karaileva);
- demonstrations with underwater drones (ROVs) and geophysical equipment in Sozopol;
- two successful dives in Nessebar, where participants explored the underwater components of the World Heritage site;
- visits to cultural landmarks and discussions dedicated to the preservation of underwater heritage in the region.
Despite variable weather conditions, the programme was completed in full thanks to excellent organisation and the flexibility of the team. The most valuable aspect of the seminar was the exchange of knowledge and experience among participants, who shared insights from their respective institutions and national best practices.
The CUA team expresses confidence that the established connections will serve as a foundation for future joint international projects focused on the preservation, research, and promotion of the underwater cultural heritage of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
