The Heydar Aliyev Foundation to restore a historical cultural monument in Bulgaria

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation will carry out restoration of Trapezitsa Architectural Museum Reserve in Bulgaria. An agreement “On conservation and restoration of Trapezitsa Architectural Museum Reserve and construction and repair of its technical infrastructure” was signed on May 27 in Sophia.

Making a visit to Bulgaria, Azerbaijan’s deputy Prime Minister Elchin Afandiyev and a delegation headed by Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov first arrived in the city of Veliko-Tyrnovo and met with mayor of the city Daniel Dimitrov. The mayor informed the guests of Trapezitsa Architectural Museum Reserve and the historical cultural monuments here in need of repair and restoration. 

Describing the monument as one of the rich cultural treasures of the Bulgarian people, Daniel Dimitrov highly appreciated the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to restore and repair this cultural monument and thanked for it President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva. 

Bringing to attention the restoration of old cultural monuments in a number of countries at the initiative and with support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Executive Director of the Foundation Anar Alakbarov said reconstruction of Trapezitsa Architectural Museum Reserve by Azerbaijan would make special contribution to the development of cultural relations between the two countries. A. Alakbarov underscored special attention paid recent years to construction and restoration of religious temples and cultural establishments in Azerbaijan and talked about the significance of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s taking on the restoration of Trapezitsa Architectural Museum Reserve, one of the most famous monuments of Europe. The executive director said Mehriban Aliyeva, the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, shows special attention towards this project.

Ambassador of Bulgaria to Azerbaijan Maya Khristova addressed the meeting. 

An artistic programme reflecting old traditions of the Bulgarian people finalized the event. 

Then an agreement on restoration of the historical monument was signed in the city of Sophia between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Veliko-Tyrnovo Municipality, the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria, the Embassy of Bulgaria in Azerbaijan and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Bulgaria, with participation of Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov and deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Elchin Afandiyev. 

Delivering a speech at the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov talked about the relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria and underscored that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s taking on the restoration and reconstruction of Trapezitsa Architectural Museum Reserve would contribute to the development of friendly relations between the two peoples. B. Borisov thanked President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for this initiative. 

Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Elchin Afandiyev and Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov too delivered a speech at the ceremony. They said the old cultural monument to be restored with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation would serve to development of the friendship between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. 

In accordance with the agreement, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation will carry out, at the monument, reconstruction and restoration of the 150-metre-long Western Wall, construction of 700-metre-long tourist alley, creation and provision of a cultural centre, repair and conservation of three churches on the territory, and creation of a transportation infrastructure for those coming to visit the Reserve. The restoration and repair works are expected to be accomplished by the end of 2015.