Dear Colleagues,
It is with deep sorrow we share the news that architect Hristina STANEVA, the President of the ICOMOS/Bulgaria, passed away on 26th June 2009 after a short illness.
We lost one of our most dedicated members, who greatly contributed to the preservation of the Bulgarian cultural heritage. Arch. Hristina STANEVA was elected for president of the Bulgarian National Committee in 2002. She has always been working rigorously for further development of the professional standards, strictly following the ethical principles of the conservation. Mrs. Staneva’s talent and professional capacity were largely recognized by the colleagues in many countries, which took to her election in the Executive Committee of ICOMOS in 2005. She was also Vice-President of the International Scientific Committee on Legal, Administrative and Financial Issues of ICOMOS, Associated member of the Vernacular Scientific Committee, National Correspondent of the HEREIN Project – Council of Europe and the European Commission, and a member of the Union of Bulgarian Architects.
As a president of ICOMOS/Bulgaria Hristina Staneva made significant input for the standing increase of our organization in Bulgaria. With the help of her passionate initiatives numerous important international projects on the conservation of the Bulgarian cultural heritage were implemented, all with the major contribution of ICOMOS. The conservation of the medieval churches of St. Stephan in the town of Nessebar and of St. Dimitar in the town of Boboshevo, and monuments in the “Old Plovdiv Reserve” became possible with Hristina’s active role.
Hristina Staneva was working seriously in the education of the new generations of specialists in the conservation of cultural heritage. She made large number of presentations, publications and lectures in Bulgaria and abroad, and was involved in teaching in University courses on the preservation of the architectural heritage in Bulgaria. During her long career Hristina helped in training and mentoring many young colleagues.
We lost a colleague, whose tireless creative energy has always given us courage in our own professional striving.

Assoc. Prof. Stefan Belishki,
Vice-Chairman of ICOMOS/Bulgaria