Roundtable on subject "The role of universities for preservation of the World Heritage" was held on 20 and 21 May in "St. Cyril and St. Methodius" University of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. The scientific discussion forum was organized by the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF,  "St. Cyril and St. Methodius" University of Veliko Tarnovo in collaboration with the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and was broadcast live on YouTube Event channel of TVEurofolk. 

Among the major lecturers were:

Prof. Nikolay Kravtsov from the St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts, Eng. Michal Hovorski from the University of Technology in Poznan (Poland), the archaeologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mirko Robov, PhD Nevena Djurkova ("St. Cyril and St. Methodius" University of Veliko Tarnovo), PhD Dimo Iliev Faculty "Arts" at "St. Cyril and St. Methodius" University of Veliko Tarnovo; Nikolai Noev -  specialist in the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at BAS.

The roundtable was opened by the President of the EAFF, Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov, who presented the main idea of the forum - namely, to create a portal where all universities to provide a database of digitized cultural heritage (digital library) and this base is easily accessible and usable by everyone.

In his presentation, Prof. Kravtsov introduced to the participants the establishment, development and operation of St. Petersburg State Institute of Culture and expressed the readiness of the Institute to cooperate with the "St. Cyril and St. Methodius" University of Veliko Tarnovo towards digitization of cultural history. "5 sound are preserved at the genetic level in all nations is not enough to look at the world only through their national culture", says Prof. Kravtsov. He expressed willingness for future cooperation with the University of Veliko Turnovo on this line.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mirko Robov - this forum seems very good prospects for the creation of integrated units between BAS, museums and departments of universities.The subject of his lecture was "3D reconstruction of cultural and historical sites; problems of volumetric reconstruction and decorative artistic image". He introduced the conference participants with feudal ensemble in the southeastern sector of the Trapezitza, built between the early 13th century and the fall of Turnovo under Ottoman rule in 1393, and stopped their attention on three examples from this sector.

"We have studied 18 ethnographic regions in the sphere of culture - Instruments, atmosphere, costumes, rituals. But we are most focused on legends, fairy tales, songs and dances" thus Eng. Michael Hovorski from Poznan University of Technology in Poland presented the activities for the preservation of folklore. In his words, "The digitization of cultural values was rejected by the national institutions for the preservation of folklore and cultural heritage. In this connection, the 360-degree video with 3D reconstruction of the dances, seen from a different angle, is a "technological marvel" that preserves choreographies, songs and dances. "

The PhD from "St. Cyril and St. Methodius" University of Veliko Tarnovo Nevena Djurkova presents "Examples and possible applications of the idea of making 3D design of the church “St. Preobrazhenie Gospodne” in Preobrazhenski Monastery". The emphasis in her presentation was the thesis that the digitization of church and art murals in the monastery is the only safe way to architectural restoration of the temple. The advantages of digital storage will give opportunities for selection of various murals, based on preset function; Murals in timed relation; Painters and restoration teams.

"First steps for establishing a data bank for monumental works" was the subject, developed by the PhD from the Faculty of Fine Arts at "St. Cyril and St. Methodius", Dimo Ivanov. He briefed the participants on the implementation of the monumental painting technique "sgraffito" and underlined the importance and role of digitization for its promotion, preservation and socialization, as the base will be based on:archival research, field study, systematic presentation of information in hierarchical orderliness in various indications.

Nikolay Noev from Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences presented the subject "3D scanning technology "Structural Light" ". The specialist introduced his forum colleagues the methods to build 3D and outlined the main directions and techniques that can be applied to create a quality digital product. 

During the second day of the Round Table were presented interesting topics, causing attention. There was an accent on the discussion about creating a university cultural / festival system of university groups, search and performing folk traditional arts. Exchange of practices and innovations. The presentation of the topic was to the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF. 

Associate Professor. Galina Bogdanova and Mirena Todorova from IMI at BAS explained the possibilities of digital marketing for the preservation and dissemination of cultural and historical heritage. 

Elena Shatko ((Department of Cultural Heritage of Belarus, the National Institute for Higher Education, Minsk, Belarus) presented the topic for inclusion in the UNESCO endangered Belorussian traditions - unique ringing of bells Belarusian.

The scientific discussion forum was part of the accompanying program XX Stara Planina Fest "Balkan folk", VII Bulgarian National Championship "Euro Folk" and World Cup folklore "Veliko Tarnovo 2016".