Help Vitalize Nine Bulgarian Villages

Challenge

Like many rural areas in Bulgaria, the villages in the Devetaki Plateau suffer deep demographic and economic decline. Most people leave for the towns searching for jobs, for cultural and social life. No business, no tourism existed there. Only lovers of the extreme came, for a one-day stay. Thanks to its resources and the efforts of the local community, the area slowly started to develop tourism. Last year, the COVID crisis almost blocked the social and economic life in the region for months.

Solution

To address the need for cultural events that arose from the COVID crisis, we decided to organize our seventh open-air Jazz Under The Stars fest on June 19, 2021. It will help local people who were in social isolation, and the small local businesses - accommodation houses, restaurants and producers of goods in these 9 villages. It will attract new audiences and promote the region as a tourist destination. The event will also help young performers meet and play with high-level Bulgarian musicians.

Long-Term Impact

The Association does a lot for the sustainable development, promotion and vitalization of the villages. The first 6 editions of the fest showed its potential to grow and have more impact on the place every year. Making it traditional, it will attract more tourists and media coverage. The film planned in the project will help promote the event and accordingly, the region, in the long run. Once held successfully, the Jazz for Kids will develop as an attractive out-of-school activity.

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources