Elitza Ivanova from the FOCUS: ERA Chair team took part in the 4th Open Forum “Digitalization and Innovation for Cultural Heritage,” held on 16–17 April 2026 in Sofia. The event gathered experts and innovators to explore new digital approaches to preserving and presenting cultural heritage.
As part of the forum, Ivanova joined the “CREATE A STORY: Workshop for Multi-Layered Narrative of Buzludzha,” where participants collaborated on developing a concept for a virtual assisted tour. The proposal focuses on key points of interest within the monument, structured as a multi-layered narrative.
The main goal of the concept is to provide a more accessible and intuitive user experience that guides visitors through the site and helps them navigate its complex structure more easily. By combining storytelling with digital tools, the initiative aims to enhance engagement and transform how visitors experience Buzludzha.
The workshop brought together a diverse team of contributors, including Emil Totev from the startup “Inner Voice,” Paula Escobar, Carla Pérez Machota, Laura Gonzales from the University of Barcelona, and Elitza Ivanova representing the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
The forum highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of cultural heritage through digitalization.