Trimontium Underpass

Plamen Panov is Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv Municipality for Culture, Archaeology and Tourism, serving his second consecutive term in this portfolio. His career includes work at Plovdiv Municipality and the Ministry of Culture in the fields of European programmes, international cooperation and cultural policy. He was part of the team that presented Plovdiv’s candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2019. During his time overseeing culture, a number of key projects for Plovdiv in cultural infrastructure and heritage conservation have been developed. These include the restoration and new functional development of Kino Kosmos; the landscaping, conservation, restoration and public presentation of the “Ancient Forum of Philippopolis – East and South”; the exhibition and restoration of Nebet Tepe and the ancient complex of the Eastern Gate, part of the large-scale project “Along the Fortress Walls of Philippopolis”; and other initiatives for the revitalisation and restoration of cultural heritage sites and museum infrastructure. He has also been actively involved in the initiative for the future of the former Bulgarian National Bank building in Plovdiv – the international concept competition “Vault of Ideas”, which received 42 proposals from 16 countries. His professional work focuses on the development of cultural infrastructure, the conservation and public presentation of cultural heritage, and establishing Plovdiv as an international cultural and tourist destination.

Arch. Chavdar Tenev is Chair of the Plovdiv Regional Chamber of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria. He graduated in architecture from VIAS (today UACEG) and specialised at the School for Advanced Architectural Mastery. He has long experience in both design and administration, including as Deputy Mayor and Chief Architect of Zapaden District and Mayor of Tsentralen District in Plovdiv. He is the author and lead designer of award-winning architectural projects and takes an active part in the professional debate on the development and planning of Plovdiv.

Arch. Ilko Nikolov is a Plovdiv architect with long professional and public experience. He graduated in architecture from VIAS and has held leading positions in the Union of Architects in Bulgaria, including Chair of the Plovdiv Branch and Deputy Chair of the UAB. He has served on expert and advisory bodies on spatial planning in Plovdiv. Among his award-winning works is the new passenger terminal of Plovdiv Airport, for which he received the “Plovdiv” Architecture Award in 2009.

Arch. Alis Ismailova is an architect with full professional design qualification and a specialist in immovable cultural heritage, listed under Art. 165 of the Cultural Heritage Act. On the jury, her expertise lies in assessing how the competition entries relate to cultural values, the historic environment and the requirements for its protection.

Landscape Arch. Stanimir Shalamanov is a practising landscape architect and a representative of Plovdiv’s professional community. He is a member of the Managing Board of the Union of Landscape Architects in Bulgaria and represents the Union’s regional branch in Plovdiv. His professional work is also connected with the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, where he is part of the Faculty of Viticulture and Horticulture. On the jury he provides specialist expertise in landscape architecture, planting and the quality of the urban environment.

Arch. Petko Prokopiev is Director of the “Spatial Planning and Technical Infrastructure” Directorate and Chief Architect of Trakia District, Plovdiv Municipality. His professional work is directly concerned with spatial planning, investment design and the development of the urban environment. He has long practical experience of the planning and development of Trakia District in Plovdiv.

Eng. Emil Boychev represents the Chamber of Engineers in Investment Design and is Chair of the Regional Professional Section “Structures of Buildings and Facilities” at CEID Plovdiv. He also takes part in the Chamber’s professional initiatives, including organising national scientific and applied forums in structural and investment design.

Arch. Nina Toleva-Novak is an architect with professional and research interests in the history and theory of architecture and urban planning, urban morphology and interdisciplinary studies. She is the author of research on the development of Plovdiv and the transformation of its city centre through different historical periods. She is currently Deputy Director of the Municipal Institute “Old Plovdiv”, which ties her work directly to the conservation, management and presentation of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Chief Assist. Prof. Desislava Davidova is an archaeologist and numismatist at the Regional Archaeological Museum in Plovdiv. She takes part in the museum’s research and exhibition work and is engaged in the study and presentation of Plovdiv’s archaeological heritage. In 2026 she was curator and author of the concept of the exhibition “Human Passions: The Price of Desire”, which presented all 786 gold coins of the Gornoslav Treasure to the public for the first time. She has also taken part in scientific forums on the archaeological investigation of the Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis.