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Opening of “Trapezitsa” Architectural Museum Reserve, restored with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, took place in Veliko Tyrnovo city of Bulgaria, September 22.

Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the ceremony.

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, mayor of the city of Veliko Tyrnovo Daniel Panov and other officials welcomed Mehriban Aliyeva and Leyla Aliyeva.

First, unveiling of a commemorative board took place.

Saying “I am honoured to participate in this event”, mayor of the city of Veliko Tyrnovo Daniel Panov thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for this project on behalf of the citizens. Talking about the history of the “Trapezitsa” Architectural Museum Reserve, the mayor noted that restoration of this ancient monument has been the dream of the Bulgarian people for many years, and this dream came true thanks to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. For the implementation of this noble mission, the mayor expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva. He presented keepsakes to Mehriban Aliyeva, Leyla Aliyeva, and Bulgaria’s prime minister.

Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony.

Saying the relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria has for long years developed in an environment of friendship, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov thanked President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva for the restoration of the monument. The prime minister named this event a solid bridge of friendship between our countries. Boyko Borisov said this old monument of culture, restored with the help of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, will serve to strengthening the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. He talked also about how successful Mehriban Aliyeva was in the capacity of the head of the Organizing Committee of the Baku-2015 First European Games.

Then attendees of the ceremony made themselves familiarized with the Cultural Heritage Centre created on the territory of the Reserve.

At the Centre, information is given about the history of Veliko Tyrnovo and “Trapezitsa”, as well as the Second Bulgarian Khanate and archaeological digs carried out here, and various exhibits related to the Middle Ages are displayed. The city of Tyrnovo was the famous capital of the Second Bulgarian state, and the statehood, cultural and moral centre of Europe from late 12^th century until late 14^th century.

Then postage stamps dedicated to the conservation and restoration of “Trapezitsa” Architectural Museum Reserve by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, issued in the Azerbaijani and Bulgarian languages, were presented.

After the presentation ceremony, a ceremony of signing commemorative copies of postage stamps took place.

The Contract “On conservation and restoration of “Trapezitsa” Architectural Museum Reserve and construction and repair of the technical infrastructure” was signed on May 27, 2015. In accordance with the Contract, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has carried out the conservation and restoration of a 158-metre western wall, laying out a 880-metre long tourism alley, creation of a cultural heritage centre, and repair and conservation of 3 churches related to the Middle Ages on the territory.

During the familiarization with the historical churches on the Reserve’s territory was mentioned that, related to the 13^th and 14^th centuries, these churches are considered to be historical religious monuments not only of the Reserve, but also of Bulgaria.

Conservation and restoration works at the “Trapezitsa” Architectural Museum Reserve, one of the historical tourist centres in Bulgaria and in the Eastern Europe, continued 10 months. The Reserve reflects the Bulgarian people’s rich cultural values.