The Underwater Heritage Institute is organising a series of public events on the occasion of the first celebration of the International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage, which will be marked annually on 21 August, and in connection with the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
As a national institution dedicated to the research, documentation, protection and promotion of underwater cultural heritage, and as a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO, the Institute sees the marking of this date as an important opportunity to raise public awareness and to present Bulgaria’s contribution to underwater archaeology and to international cooperation under the 2001 Convention.
The programme includes lectures, documentary film screenings, public meetings and discussions in Sozopol, Burgas, Varna, Sofia and Plovdiv. The events will present the development of Bulgarian underwater archaeology, the work of the Underwater Heritage Institute, significant scientific and international projects, as well as the role of underwater cultural heritage as part of cultural memory, scientific knowledge, education and international cooperation.
The events are organised under the patronage of the National Commission of the Republic of Bulgaria for UNESCO.
For the convenience of the public, a separate Facebook event will be created for each date and location. Please follow the official Facebook page of the Underwater Heritage Institute for details, up-to-date information and possible additions to the programme.
Programme
15 August 2026, 19:30
Burgas, Ethnographic Museum – Burgas
Event in memory of Hristina Angelova, long-standing Director of the Underwater Heritage Institute, marking 10 years since her passing.
20 August 2026, 15:00
Varna, Naval Museum – Varna
Screening of the first part of the documentary film about the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project – Black Sea MAP:
“Lost Worlds: Deeper into the Black Sea”
Episode 1: “Journey to an Ancient Sea”
Directors: David Belton and Andy Byatt
20 August 2026, 21:00
Sozopol, Art Gallery
Lecture: “Bulgarian Underwater Archaeology”
Speakers:
Dr Nayden Prahov, Director of the Underwater Heritage Institute
Iva Petkova, maritime archaeologist, Underwater Heritage Institute
21 August 2026, 15:00
Varna, Naval Museum – Varna
Screening of the second part of the documentary film about the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project – Black Sea MAP:
“Lost Worlds: Deeper into the Black Sea”
Episode 2: “Secrets of Ancient Empires”
Directors: David Belton and Andy Byat
21 August 2026, 19:00
Burgas, Peyo Yavorov Regional Library
Screening of the documentary film:
“In The Search of Sunken Worlds”
Author: Maria Cherneva
Camera operator: Anna Andreeva
Director: Ara Hugasyan
The screening will be followed by a short lecture by Dr Nayden Prahov, Director of the Underwater Heritage Institute, and a discussion with the audience.
24 August 2026, 19:00
Burgas, Peyo Yavorov Regional Library
Screening of the first part of the documentary film about the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project – Black Sea MAP:
“Lost Worlds: Deeper into the Black Sea”
Episode 1: “Journey to an Ancient Sea”
Directors: David Belton and Andy Byatt
24 August 2026, 19:00
Sofia, Vlaikova Cinema-Theatre
Screening of the documentary film:
“In The Search of Sunken Worlds”
Author: Maria Cherneva
Camera operator: Anna Andreeva
Director: Ara Hugasyan
31 August 2026, 19:00
Burgas, Peyo Yavorov Regional Library
Screening of the second part of the documentary film about the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project – Black Sea MAP:
“Lost Worlds: Deeper into the Black Sea”
Episode 2: “Secrets of Ancient Empires”
Directors: David Belton and Andy Byatt
September 2026
Plovdiv region, village of Manole, Maltepe Cultural and Information Centre
Screening of the first and second part of the documentary film about the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project – Black Sea MAP:
“Lost Worlds: Deeper into the Black Sea”
Episode 1: “Journey to an Ancient Sea”
Episode 2: “Secrets of Ancient Empires”
Directors: David Belton and Andy Byatt