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International Project on Thracian Heritage Hosted by NSA

Published on 27 September 2012

International Project on Thracian Heritage Hosted by NSA

In September the Sea Base of Bulgaria’s National Sports Academy became the scene of a youth scientific project which took fifteen volunteers back to Thracian times – some 3　500 years ago. The participants who are from eight different European countries had the opportunity to learn a lot about the Thracians, their way of life and rich culture.

The Ship of the Thracian King Rhesus Project started with reconstruction of an authentic copy of the King Rhesus’s vessel that brought him to Troy, where he fought on the side of Trojans (Iliad, Homer). The frigate was completely made of wood and does not contain any metal element in its construction.

The unique experiment will continue next summer when a crew of 19 rowers will face the challenge of sailing from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast to Chanakkale (Turkey) following the route of King Rhesus.

Educators and athletes of the National Sports Academy trained the volunteers in several sports activities – rowing, sailing, wrestling, and swimming - which are among the most ancient sports disciplines. The trainees sent a letter to Mr. Ognyan Stoichkov, Chairman of Education, Science, Children, Youths and Sports Committee in the National Assembly of Bulgaria. They expressed their support to NSA in the cause of preventing the land of the sports base (near the city of Nessebar) from construction attempts. In April the foundations of a new building ‘appeared” right on the beach and NSA students tried to stop the bulldozers with human chains. The campus is unique, it has a great potential for youth activities and it should be preserved in its natural environment, the letter says.

The Rhesus Project is run in a co-operation with the Bulgaria’s Ministry of Culture and the National Television.

Albena Micheva, Public Relations
a_micheva@nsa.bg