Virtual Reality Development and the Socialization of Bulgarian Cultural Heritage

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to show to what extent so far the virtual reality has entered the exhibition concepts of museums in Bulgaria. Two aspects have been emphasized: the integration of information technologies in education in the sphere of cultural heritage and the digital presentation of museum displays. This article presents part of the activities and results on research Project Models of Socialization of Cultural Heritage in a ‘smart city’ ДН05/3, 14.12.2016, supported by the National Science Fund at the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. Descriptive qualitative method was employed in this study. The data were obtained through direct observations of museum institutions in Bulgaria in terms of the degree of online access to museum expositions, the degree of digitization of museum collections and the degree of digital representation of museum expositions. Some of the basic problems of museums in Bulgaria have been systematized. Results are used to improve the quality of education in the field of cultural heritage, to promote the exchange of scientific and practical experience among university tutors, museum specialists and experts. It is expected that the results find application in the programs for informing and training for raising the capacity of local communities in the sphere of cultural tourism.