Bulgaria…Refreshingly Authentic
By Jo Ann Secor, Director of Interpretive Services and Scott Briggs, AIA, Associate Principal
We have all had the experience of driving down the main strip of a new town and encountering an endless stretch of McDonald’s next to a Walgreens next to a Target next to a Mobil station….and on it goes. We often joke with our passengers that we are in “Anywhere USA” as the ubiquitous nature of the environment is often so cookie-cutter that you have no idea what really sets this town apart from others in America in ways that might make it special and memorable. This begs the question: How did we lose the ‘sense of place’ that grows out of a mix of unique geography, interesting regional elements, and local commercial enterprises? It is a phenomenon that can also be referred to as ‘authenticity’ of place. We were entirely unaware of the unique sense of place that exists in Bulgaria until SKOLNICK ventured there 10 years ago to work on our first project for the America for Bulgaria Foundation (ABF). Since then, we have continued to experience the pleasure, surprise, and curiosity that comes from exploring this nation’s truly authentic places, their histories, and its people.
Left: Nancy Schiller, President and CEO of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, and Lee enjoying refreshments at an outdoor café in the Kapana neighborhood of Plovdiv; Upper Right: The stunning Belogradchik Fortress in Belogradchick; Lower Right: Scott sips from a golden fountain which was modeled after a traditional Thracian drinking vessel known as a Rhyton.
Early this summer we found ourselves in Vidin, Bulgaria, standing on the banks of the Danube, adjacent to the well-preserved ramparts of Baba Vida, a fortress that defended this northwesterly region of the country during its turbulent Medieval period. This ancient river’s placid waters belie the tempestuous past of this oft invaded nation, but also convey a palpable sense of potential rebirth for this impoverished area so rich in history and scenic beauty.
Built in the 10th century AD, on top of ancient Roman and Thracian settlements, the Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin is one of the world’s best preserved Medieval fortresses.
Over the past decade, we have become students of Bulgaria’s lifestyle and culture; an experience which has been abundant with memorable journeys, exchanges over the remarkable cuisine, compelling cultural encounters, and of course, the privilege of meaningful encounters with people.
Some of our Bulgarian friends!
We are always amazed at the diversity of landscapes, from the mountainous southern border with Greece to the easterly Black Sea coast, and most recently, our excursions to this northwestern corner along the Danube where the influences of Roman, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian cultures are evident.
Vratsa is known for its beautiful Karst nature reserve; we dined on local trout and beverages
It has also been a humbling experience to collaborate with Bulgarians of diverse backgrounds who bring their unique skills to each project - skills that were not necessarily honed for museum or cultural work, but through interest and determination have been applied to these projects to make them come to fruition.
Working on behalf of the America for Bulgaria Foundation (ABF) has required us to identify and cultivate a collaborative, creative relationship with numerous individuals and companies to complete projects that fulfill ABF’s mission to support cultural development, while fostering goodwill between the Bulgarian and American people. This has given us the opportunity to explore the requirements for each project and determine how those needs can be fulfilled by local craftspeople, technologists, scientists, historians, architects, software designers, illustrators, and a host of other talented Bulgarian companies and individuals who bring their skills and perspectives to each project. Our task is to share with them not only the project brief but also the interpretive narrative that informs each project. This is combined with the establishment of a solid understanding of the user groups and audience so that they can enjoy and be drawn into the immersive visitor experience.
Some of our amazing Bulgarian collaborators at work on the Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis project
SKOLNICK has had the good fortune to have undertaken several of these ‘creative journeys’ including Muzeiko, Sofia’s science-focused children’s museum, interior design consultation for renovation of Pirogov children’s surgical center in Sofia, design consultation on the restoration and technology upgrades for a Sofia University lecture hall; and interpretive planning and exhibition design for a 4th-6th C. Roman archaeological site, the Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis in Plovdiv. These projects have all involved a constellation of Bulgarian collaborators who have not only worked alongside us but introduced us to extraordinary physical and thematic landscapes and historic destinations, and enlightened us with their extensive knowledge of the history, customs, and cultural sites that make Bulgaria a place characterized by multiple cultural crossroads.
So much history to explore!
The intrinsic historic essence of Bulgaria has set our experience of working in this fascinating country apart from our other projects in ways that are truly one-of-a-kind. We are honored to have had the chance to engage in this ever evolving and life-enhancing journey of discovery in Bulgaria.