On March 14, 2024, the results of the “United in Diversity” project were presented at the Vigdís International Center for Multilingual and Intercultural Understanding at the University of Iceland by Prof. Dr. Krasimira Alexandrova, Director of the National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, together with Valentina Aksentieva, deputy director and head of the project, and Joanna Markova – project coordinator. During the event, the team from the National Library presented to guests and stakeholders a detailed presentation of the project’s achievements and results, followed by an intensive discussion focused on diversity issues and the role of institutions in supporting ethnic and cultural minorities.
The project “United in diversity” attracted the attention of the international community, thanks to its methods of popularizing the culture of three ethnic and cultural groups in Bulgaria – Roma, Jews and Armenians. All events, initiatives and publications carried out within the framework of the project have become an important tool for deepening knowledge about the culture of ethnic and cultural minorities in Bulgaria. Through activities to promote traditions and cultural heritage, including in small settlements, the project successfully created bridges between different communities and promoted dialogue and mutual understanding.
During their visit to the Vigdís International Center, the team from the National Library of Bulgaria learned about its work as a UNESCO institution that supports the initiative “Roma at the Center”, bringing together a series of projects related to Roma studies over the years. The Bulgarian group also visited two newly built permanent exhibitions, which were initiated by the Center: “Living Language Lab”, dedicated to linguistic diversity, and “Give me wings”, dedicated to the life and influence of Vigdis Finnbogadóttir, the first female president of Iceland and in the world .
As part of her visit, the director of the National Library of Bulgaria Assoc. Dr. Krasimira Alexandrova and her team held individual meetings with representatives of three cultural institutions in Reykjavík: the National and University Library of Iceland, Nordic House – the International Center for Scandinavian Contemporary Art, culture and discussions; Reykjavík City Library. These meetings were an opportunity to exchange experiences, ideas and establish possible future collaborations in the field of culture and education.
The project “United in diversity”, No. BGCULTURE-3.001-0044-C01, with the beneficiary National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, is financed under the program RA 14 “Cultural entrepreneurship, heritage and cooperation”, Result 3 “Improved awareness of arts and culture of ethnic and cultural minorities (focus on Roma)”, with the support of the Financial Mechanism of the European economic space 2014-2021.
