Shusha Park in Veliko Tarnovo returns to the cultural tourism spotlight
The Shusha Park project in Veliko Tarnovo returned to the spotlight at the Cultural Tourism exhibition. The agreement was signed in February, and the park is planned to cover more than 1.8 hectares.
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The project to build and reconstruct Shusha Park in Veliko Tarnovo returned to the spotlight at the 21st International Cultural Tourism Exhibition. Azerbaijan's ambassador to Bulgaria, Elmar Mammadov, highlighted the initiative as part of cultural and tourism cooperation between the two countries.
As of 10 October, there is no new official announcement confirming the start of construction. The confirmed development is the renewed presentation of the project to participants and visitors at the exhibition in Veliko Tarnovo.
What is confirmed about the project
The intergovernmental agreement on Shusha Park was signed on 11 February 2026 by Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo. The Council of Ministers approved it in April, and the text was published in the State Gazette in June.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the project is fully funded by Azerbaijan and covers more than 1.8 hectares. The municipality says the park will occupy the circus site in Veliko Tarnovo.
The concept envisages a public space reflecting the cultural identity of the Azerbaijani city of Shusha, combining landscaping, recreation areas and features associated with the partnership between the two cities.
The connection with cultural tourism
Azerbaijan's participation in the Cultural Tourism exhibition showcased the country's traditions, crafts and tourism regions. Mammadov linked the Veliko Tarnovo project to the longstanding relationship between the two cities and to earlier Azerbaijani support for restoring Trapezitsa Fortress and making it accessible to visitors.
Veliko Tarnovo and Shusha have been twinned since 2022. Veliko Tarnovo has also maintained a partnership with Nakhchivan since 2018.
Illustrative photograph: Meshaal Al Hajali / Unsplash. The image does not show the site of the future Shusha Park in Veliko Tarnovo.
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