Bulgaria’s membership in UNESCO

Bulgaria became a member of UNESCO on May 17, 1956. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded on 16 November 1945 in London as one of the four big specialized United Nation’s organizations. Its statutes entered into force in 1946. Following a decree of the Council of Ministers on July 1, 1954, Bulgaria submitted an application for becoming member of the organization. On May 17, 1956 the People’s Republic of Bulgaria filed the ratification documents of the constitutional act of UNESCO in London, which made it a member of the organization. On June 29, 1956 Mr. Evgeni Kamenov was appointed first permanent delegate of Bulgaria (later he became sitting representative). According to the UNESCO’s statutes Bulgaria established a National Commission for UNESCO in May 1956. The Bulgarian National Commission includes prominent scientists, cultural and educational figures, representatives of the leading ministries, departments and institutions taking part in the UNESCO’s programmes. The World Heritage Committee has inscribed the following Bulgarian properties on the World Heritage List: Ancient City of Nessebar (1983); Boyana Church (1979); Madara Rider (1979); Rila Monastery (1983); Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo (1979); Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (1979); Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari (1985); Natural Pirin National Park (1983); Srebarna Nature Reserve (1983).