Dear Friends,
Five years ago, the Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis reopened its doors. Today, it stands as one of the most ambitious efforts to bring layered cultural heritage back into the life of a city and as a place that continues to draw people in and make them part of its story.
Now, it is taking its next step. The Basilica is on Bulgaria’s UNESCO Tentative List, a sign that what has been built here resonates far beyond Plovdiv.
On May 16, we celebrate how far it has come—and invite you to be part of what comes next. You’ll find the details just below.
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Plovdiv Kept This Story Underfoot. Today, It Shares It with the World
What began with a chance discovery in the 1980s is now one of Bulgaria’s most compelling cultural landmarks.
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If You Listen Closely, You’ll Hear a Story Spanning Twenty Centuries
From its vast dimensions to its smallest details, this is the story of the Bishop’s Basilica, told for the ear.
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5 Details You May Miss on the Basilica Floor
Look closely. The Basilica’s floor is alive with birds: watchful, restless, curious, bold. Some hunt, some feed, some pause mid-step as if they might move again at any moment.
People have always read meaning into them. In antiquity, birds signaled status and belief—the peacock, with its sweeping tail, a symbol of immortality. Today, they still invite interpretation. So when the Adopt a Bird campaign invited supporters to choose a bird from the mosaics, we gave them names.
A class of humor-minded graduates chose “The One Who Barely Passed.” The Bulgarian Stock Exchange went for “The Bold One,” a bird that looks suspiciously like Catwoman in mosaic form. The America for Bulgaria Foundation’s Board picked “United.” Others leaned toward curiosity and persistence—and some, simply, toward a bit of mischief.
Take another look. Which one are you?
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Leaving a Mark that Still Matters after You’re Gone: Kalina Trifonova on Thinking for the Long Term
What does it take to build something that lasts? Kalina Trifonova of EVN reflects on long-term thinking, trust, and why the Basilica is more than a restoration project. From playgrounds to partnerships, this is a story about doing things that hold up over time.
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Honoring ALE: A Photo Story Dedicated to the Basilica’s Workers
Seventeen centuries ago, someone carved “ALE” into a stone—and left us with one of the Basilica’s many mysteries. This photo story is about the many hands that followed, bringing the Basilica back to life, often without leaving a name behind.
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Five Things to Do on May 16
Five years after reopening—and 70 years into Bulgaria’s story with UNESCO—the Bishop’s Basilica marks the moment with a full day that spills well beyond a formal celebration. It’s an open invitation to step in, look closer, and experience the place as it is today.
1. Walk into the Basilica—for free
From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Basilica offers free entry, along with an augmented reality experience and a special photo exhibition that brings new stories into the space.
2. Join the city’s mosaic trail
A free guided tour through Plovdiv’s ancient mosaics (12:00–1:30 pm) connects the Basilica to the wider story of the city.
3. Follow the clues
A treasure hunt for all ages starts near the Basilica and turns the day into a game of discovery. Perfect if you’re coming with friends or family.
4. Stay for the atmosphere
Throughout the day: live music, a pop-up café, a food truck, hands-on activities, and a few unexpected encounters that make the space feel more like a festival than a monument.
5. Don’t miss the night finale
At 8:00 pm, the Basilica’s façade becomes a canvas for a 3D mapping show, a visual story that brings its past and present together in one final moment.
👉 See the full program on Facebook
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The Belogradchik Rocks and Vidin region in The North, Up Close
Far from the bustle of the city, another UNESCO story is unfolding. In May, we travel north—to the Belogradchik Rocks and the people working to bring new life to the Vidin region.
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Sending warmest regards,
The America for Bulgaria Foundation team
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