PROGRAMME

ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF CULTURE

BETWEEN

THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM OF

THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

AND

THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

FOR THE PERIOD 2021-2024

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, hereinafter referred to as “Both Parties”,

wishing to further develop and deepen their cooperation in the field of culture

and in implementation of the Cultural Cooperation Agreement between the government of the People’s Republic of China and the government of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria and  signed on 6^th of May, 1987,

agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1

Both Parties undertake to create favourable conditions for cooperation in the field of culture and arts.

ARTICLE 2

Both Parties promote cooperation in the field of performing arts and tour exchange between  artists in related fields, such as:

a) exchanging information and mutual invitations for participating in international music and dance performances organized on their own territories;

b) participating in music, dance and theater festivals, taking place on the territory of both States.

The Chinese party gives a proposal to the Bulgarian party to take part in the following festivals:

a) Meet in Beijing Art Festival

b) China Shanghai International Arts Festival

c) Beijing Music Festival 

d) Chengdu International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

e) Silk Road International Arts Festival

f) Maritime Silk Road International Arts Festival 

g) Shenzhen Belt & Road International Music Festival

h) Beijing People’s Art Theatre International Festival

i）Ningbo International Vocal Competition

The Bulgarian party gives a proposal to the Chinese party to take part in the following festivals:

a) March Music Days, Ruse

b) Music Festival within the Varna Summer International Music Festival

c) International Folklore Festival – Varna

d) International Folklore Festival – Veliko Tarnovo

e) International Ballet Competition – Varna

f) International Competition Pancho Vladigerov – Shumen

g) International Competition Young Virtuosos – Sofia

h) One Dance Week

i) A to JazZ Festival – Sofia

ARTICLE 3

1. Both Parties shall foster cooperation in the field of visual arts as well as direct cooperation between museums, art galleries and institutions involved in research, protection and restoration of tangible cultural property.

2. During the effective period of the Programme, on a reciprocal basis, Both Parties shall support the exchange of 1-2 Art (Contemporary Art) and Craft Exhibitions with two (2) commissioners for a period of five (5) days, the organizational and financial terms being agreed in a Special Agreement.

The Chinese party gives a proposal to the Bulgarian party to take part in:

a) Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo

b)  Maritime Silk Road (China · Ningbo) Culture and Tourism Expo

c) Beijing International Art Biennale

d) Shanghai Biennale

e) Guangzhou Triennial

The Bulgarian party gives a proposal to the Chinese party to take part in:

a) International Biennale of Humour and Satire in the Arts

b) International Print Biennale – Varna

c) International Plein - Air (Watercolour Painting) – Targovishte

d) International Plein - Air (Painting) – Balchik

e) International Plein - Air (Paper) – Dobrich

ARTICLE 4

Both Parties shall contribute to the development of cooperation in the field of cultural and historical heritage, and for this purpose they shall:

1. Promote the implementation of joint cooperation projects for protection, restoration, presentation and management of cultural heritage;

2. Exchange information to facilitate the return of lost or illegally exported cultural objects of Both Parties within their laws and the relevant international agreements in force for the respective countries;

3. Cooperate in the field of preservation of cultural heritage through the exchange of experts, information and expertise within their jurisdictions and the international documents in force for them;

4. During the effective period of the Programme, on a reciprocal basis, Both Parties shall exchange one (1) delegation of specialists in the field of cultural heritage consisting of five (5) people for a period of five (5) days.

ARTICLE 5

Both Parties shall further strengthen exchange and cooperation in the field of publishing, promote cooperation between the publishing industries of the two countries ensuring high protection of Copyright and organizing exchange of visits.

Both Parties shall exchange information in the field of librarianship, preservation and restoration of manuscripts.

Both Parties shall promote cooperation and exchange in the field of publishing by exchanging one (1) delegation consisting of six (6) people for a period of six (6) days.

Both Parties shall encourage publishing institutions in their respective country to participate in international book fairs organized in the other country.

ARTICLE 6

Both Parties shall promote cooperation between the writer’s unions of their respective country by encouraging them to establish direct contacts.

During the effective period of the Program, on a reciprocal basis, Both Parties shall support mutual visits of writers.

ARTICLE 7

Both Parties shall promote the establishment of contacts between professional photographer associations and shall facilitate the exchange of photo-documentary exhibitions and exhibitions of art photography.

ARTICLE 8

Both Parties shall encourage exchanges of films and practitioners in the field of cinema, encourage participation in international film festivals held in each other’s countries, support co-productions by film production agencies, and promote the common development of films.

ARTICLE 9

Both Parties shall foster cooperation in the field of folk art and shall send invitations to professional and amateur ensembles of each other’s countries to participate in international festivals and competitions taking place in both countries.

ARTICLE 10

Both parties shall cooperate and promote the development of relations in the field of theatre and circus arts.

ARTICLE 11

Both Parties shall support the organization and holding of Days of Culture of People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Bulgaria and Days of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria in People’s Republic of China. To this end, both Parties undertake to send to the other country at least one art group of no more than 20 people.

The terms and conditions for the carrying out of the Days of Culture activities shall be additionally agreed through diplomatic channels.

ARTICLE 12

During the effective period of the Programme, on a reciprocal basis, both Parties undertake to exchange one (1) delegation of their respective Ministry of Culture, headed by a Minister or Deputy Minister, consisting of a maximum of five (5) people for a period of five (5) days.

ARTICLE 13

           Both Parties consider the China Cultural Centre in Sofia as important bridge and link connecting the culture of China and Bulgaria, and support  its activities.

ARTICLE 14

Both Parties shall actively support and participate in the events within the framework of China-CEEC cultural cooperation.

ARTICLE 15

Both Parties shall also support other forms of direct cooperation between similar cultural institutions that are not included in this Programme and which are not contrary to its objectives.

GENERAL PROVISIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

ARTICLE 16

In carrying out the exchange of persons, the Home Country shall submit to the Host Country, at least two (2) months in advance, the required personal information about the candidates and the work programme for their stay, and the Host Country shall give its response no later than fifteen (15) days before the scheduled date of the visit.

ARTICLE 17

1. In conformity with this Programme, Both Parties undertake to conduct personal exchange under the following financial terms:

a) The Home Country undertakes to pay the round trip costs of the persons to and from the capital of the other Country, as well as their medical insurance;

b) The Host Country shall bear the in-country transport costs in conformity with the work program, as well as food and hotel accommodation costs and the fees for interpreter services in accordance with the local legislation of the Host Country.

2. In carrying out the personal exchange regarding the implementation of this Programme, the Host Country, shall, if so required, provide emergency medical care based on the medical insurance made at the expense of the Home Country.

ARTICLE 18

When the Parties participate in festivals held in the territory of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Bulgaria, the financial costs of the foreign participants (food, hotel, in-country transport) shall be borne in accordance with the regulations of the respective festival.

ARTICLE 19

When exchanging individual performers or groups of artists from the performing arts, the Home Country undertakes to pay the round trip costs of the persons to and from the capital of the other Country, as well as their medical insurance.

The Host Country shall bear the in-country transport costs, the costs of meals and hotel accommodation, any fees for interpreter services, hall hire fees and charges, any poster and invitation printing costs as well as all other costs associated with promoting the event, unless otherwise agreed on these issues.

Any specific issues may be agreed between the organizers of the shows in both countries in a separate agreement.

ARTICLE 20

All costs associated with organizing exhibitions shall be borne as follows:

1. On the account of the Home Country:

a) The expenses for the transportation of exhibits to and from the respective location in the Host Country;

b) The exhibition insurance;

c) The round trip expenses of the exhibition commissioners to and from the capital of the other Party, as well as their medical insurance.

2. On the account of the Host Country:

a) The in-country transport costs, customs fees, hall hire fees and charges, promotional material costs;

b) Subsistence expenses (food, hotel accommodation, in-country transport) of the exhibition commissioners;

c) The costs for insurance and security of the exhibits on the territory of the Host Country, and in case of any damage or loss, the Host Country shall provide all necessary documents for the insurance claim and shall undertake not to carry out any restoration works, except for any and all indispensable preventive measures and only after the explicit agreement of the Home Country.

Any specific issues may be agreed between the exhibition organizers of both Parties in a separate agreement.

Cultural heritage exhibitions shall be organized in accordance with a special exhibition agreement.

ARTICLE 21

This Programme does not preclude the possibility that both Parties may organize other cultural events subject to further agreement with all specific issues being discussed through diplomatic channels.

ARTICLE 22

This Programme shall enter into force upon its signing and shall be valid until December 31^st, 2024.

This Programme was signed on Februray 9^th, 2021 in the city of Beijing in two original counterparts, each of them in the Chinese, Bulgarian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.