Project proposal for Plovdiv2019

AIESEC България –Секция Пловдив Пловдивски Университет „Паисий Хилендарски“ Ректорат, ул. „Иван Асен“ 24 15А с.з.

http://plovdiv.aiesec.bg/ e-mail: [email protected]

IMPROVING KAPANA –



INDEX 1. ABOUT KAPANA ............................................................................................................................................. 3

2. GOAL OF THE PROJECT .................................................................................................................................. 4

2.1 EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE ........................................................................................................... 4

2.2 WHY PLOVDIV .......................................................................................................................................... 5

2.3 IMPROVING KAPANA - GLOBAL NGO STRATEGY ..................................................................................... 6

3. RESOURCES NEEDED ...................................................................................................................................... 7

3.1 MAPS AND DIRECTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 7

3.1.1 Risks ................................................................................................................................................ 9

3.2 REGULAR CREATIVE KERMESSES ............................................................................................................ 9

3.2.1 Target People .................................................................................................................................. 9

3.2.2 Time .................................................................................................................................................. 9

3.2.3 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................. 9

3.2.4 Preparatory work: promotion ........................................................................................................ 10

3.2.5 Details ............................................................................................................................................. 10

3.2.6 Aim .................................................................................................................................................. 11

3.2.7 Risks ................................................................................................................................................ 12

3.3 TIME TRAP CAFE .................................................................................................................................... 12

3.3.1 Objectives ....................................................................................................................................... 12

3.3.2 Keys to Success ............................................................................................................................... 12

3.3.3 Mission ............................................................................................................................................ 13

3.3.4 Risks ................................................................................................................................................ 13

3.3.5 Start-up Summary .......................................................................................................................... 13

3.3.6 Competitive Comparison ................................................................................................................ 13

3.3.7 Service Description ......................................................................................................................... 13

3.3.8 Future Services ............................................................................................................................... 14

4. WORKS PLAN ............................................................................................................................................... 14



1. ABOUT KAPANA

Kapana neighborhood in the city of Plovdiv is quite unusual. No other similar

city landscape can be seen in Bulgaria today.

The magic of Kapana (this name means ‘the trap’ in Bulgarian) comes from the

multitude of streets that cross at various angles. Inbetween any two streets you will see small space,

barely sufficient for the construction of a house or two

Buildings feature Viennese style that became very fashionable in Bulgaria in the beginning of 20th

century. The ground floors of almost all buildings house little shops. Kapana’s northern part houses most

of Plovdiv's bars and nightclubs.

The southern part is quieter, having usual Bulgarian shops and cafés that satisfy the needs of the local

residents. However, commerce in Kapana has traditions dating way back in time. The names of the

streets, translating as Ironsmith's, Goldsmith's, Furrier's and Frieze-maker's speak about the

neighborhood’s past.

During Ottoman times, Kapana acted as the very center of Plovdiv. The din of intensive trade started

with sunrise and continued until sunset: the calls of vendors, the rattling of carts, the strikes of hammers

and speech in all languages of the East. Here was the main market, 'tcharshia', of the Oriental city. It was

the heart of Plovdiv for 500 years - the exchange of goods of all kinds between East and West. Various

caravans for destinations as diverse as Vienna and Calcutta took off from there.

The large market street burned down completely during a city fire of 1906. The residential houses

erected afterwards preserve most of the original street plan. Craftsmen opened shops again in the new

European buildings. Yet, the previous global range of Plovdiv's business decreased drastically with the

partitioning of the Ottoman Empire. Colorful merchants from distant countries were now replaced by

grocery shops. Although craftsmen worked only for the local market, the traditional crafts practiced by

masters and apprentices survived until the 1950s.

Kapana lies to the northeast of Dzhoumaia square. If you walk past the front of the mosque you will be

there. It lies in the lap of Taksim and Nebet hills that guard it from the south and east. However, for the

construction of the tunnel and the modern boulevard, large part of it was destroyed. It no longer

connects to the Armenian neighborhood on Nebet hill.

However, the soul of Kapana seems to continue to wander along its narrow streets and to hope that

people would remain true to their love and respect for the legacy of the past.



2. GOAL OF THE PROJECT

2.1 EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar

year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension. Preparing a

European Capital of Culture can be an opportunity for the city to generate considerable cultural, social

and economic benefits and it can help foster urban regeneration, change the city's image and raise its

visibility and profile on an international scale.

In 1985, former actress Melina Mercouri, then Greece’s Minister of Culture, and her French

counterpart Jack Lang came up with the idea of designating an annual Capital of Culture to bring

Europeans closer together by highlighting the richness and diversity of European cultures and raising

awareness of their common history and values.

The Commission of the European Union manages the title and each year the Council of Ministers of the

European Union formally designates European Capitals of Culture: more than 40 cities have been

designated so far. An international panel of cultural experts is in charge of assessing the proposals of

cities for the title according to criteria specified by the European Union.

A 2004 study conducted for the European Commission demonstrated that the choice of European

Capital of Culture served as a catalyst for the cultural development and the transformation of the

city.[1] Consequently, the beneficial socio-economic development and impact for the chosen city are

now also considered in determining the chosen cities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Capital_of_Culture#cite_note-palmer-1



2.2 WHY PLOVDIV

From a historical, cultural and economic perspective Plovdiv is the leading factor of the democratic

decentralization trends in Bulgaria. It is a crossroads of ethnicities that have been living together in

harmony and understanding for centuries. This ancient settlement between the East and the West, with

its incredible Renaissance Old Town, its ancient theater, the Roman Stadium, is a city where churches

and mosques are next to each other. It is looking into the future and is well aware of the challenges

ahead if it wants to take its worthy place in the list of cultural capitals of Europe.

Plovdiv's history spans 6,000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 4000 BC,

ranking it among the world's oldest cities. Plovdiv was known in the West for most of its recorded

history by the Greek name Philippopolis (Φιλιππούπολις), which was introduced in 340 BC. Plovdiv was

originally a Thracian city before later becoming a Greek and a major Roman one. In the Middle Ages, it

retained its strategic regional importance, changing hands between the Byzantine and Bulgarian

Empires. It came under Ottoman rule in the 14th century. In 4 January 1878, Plovdiv was liberated from

Ottoman rule by the Russian army and was within the borders of Bulgaria until July, the same year,

when it became the capital of an autonomous Ottoman region of Eastern Rumelia. In 1885, it and

Eastern Rumelia itself became part of Bulgaria.



2.3 IMPROVING KAPANA - GLOBAL NGO STRATEGY

Having visited Kapana in these first three weeks, we have seen a great potential for this historical part of

Plovdiv. Unfortunately there are many problems that must be solved to make Kapana more attractive

for people.

Our team has developed a proposal to improve the number of activities and, consequently, the number

of people in Kapana, in order to make it as attractive as the Main Street and The Old Town. This can be

obtained by realizing the following points:

Improving maps and directions (in English and Bulgarian) in order to make Kapane more accessible for local and international people.

Organizing regular creative Kermesses in which local artists can show and sell their products (e.g. handmade stuffs, local illustration products). In this way Kapana can show people its cultural differences.

Time Trap Café in which can be combined games and books to read in order to create a point of meeting for people of all the ages in Kapana.



3. RESOURCES NEEDED

3.1 MAPS AND DIRECTIONS

The first thing is to put maps in each Kapana’s street with the indication “You are here” for the readers.

This is a very important part of the project because it makes accessible each part of the area and it’s

done in many touristic place:

Fig 1: You are here indication

The second part of the project is to make clear and easily visible the name of the streets that have to be

written both in Bulgarian and in English:



Fig 2: Example of name of the street

The final step of this part of the project is the realization of touristic directions in order to allow people

to arrive to shops, cafés or other places in Kapana:

Fig 3: Example of touristic direction

We suppose to realize the directions and maps in aluminum with a degree of purity of 99.5 % in order to

preserve them also in bad weather conditions (especially in winter).

There should be something like symbol or logo of Kapana on every sign which says: “We are Kapana, we

are unique part of city, we are proud of it”.



3.1.1 Risks This idea will cost money not surely provided by the municipality but we can avoid it

making Kapana’s people their own directions and maps. As a competition for everybody to be

creative and create his own way of directing people to his gallery or shop. For examples, putting

footsteps on the street. These kind of ideas will make it cheaper and creative.

3.2 REGULAR CREATIVE KERMESSES

3.2.1 Target People

Neighbor of Kapana, Local people in Plovdiv and Bulgaria, local artists,

and tourists from all over the world.

3.2.2 Time

Once a Month (Date have not been decided). Considering the time and resources needed for

preparing an event, the interval of each kermess is suggested as one month.

3.2.3 Purpose

1. To attract more local people and tourists to go to Kapana and to know more about Kapana.

2. Showcase the great culture and contents of Kapana

3. To improve the communications between the neighbors in the kapana; between the local people and the shop owners in the kapana; and among the local artists, the shop owners.

4. To improve the communications between the neighbors in the kapana; between the local people and the shop owners in the kapana; and among the local artists, the shop owners.

5. Limit car parking during the Kermess, and little by little limit the car parking in the Kapana



3.2.4 Preparatory work: promotion 1. Poster/booklet about the Kapana Kermess

Design poster and booklet for the Kermess. The Posters and booklet should include

information about the Kapana, the activities in the Kermess, and the introduction of the

shop sellers. These information booklet and poster should be put on the main streets, tourists’

information centers and other places that people are easy to access the information.

2. Mass-media: Facebook Fan page Mass media is a very good way nowadays to promote things.

We can create the Facebook fan page to promote Kapana. In the fan page, we can

post information about kapana. We can post many beautiful pictures about the fantastic

architectures in the Kapana so that more people could appreciate the beautiful views in

Kapana. In the fan page, the information and stories of the shop owners or creative shops

could be added to make people to know more about the interesting shops and cool places in

Kapana. In the fan page, even local people can post their experiences after tours in the Kapana,

so that more people can know more about beauty of Kapana.

3. Busker Busker( street artists ) is a very special and good way to promote the Kermess in the

Kapana. In the main streets, many buskers’ performances catch people’s eyes. If we invite

buskers to promote the Kermess during their performances, it will definitely make more

people to know about the activities in the Kapana. On the other hand, as one of the kermess’s

aim is to make the Kapana a place for art and creation, using buskers is also a way to promote

the idea of Kapana.

3.2.5 Details

Kermes Sellers Counters will be rented out with a very low fee in order to lower the barrier of

participating in this great event. The targets of renter are locked as the local artists, handmade producers and any local residents who want to share their creative work to the public.

Products In the kermess, they can showcase their latest production to promote themselves and

sell some related products as an extra income with a very low cost. Assembling artists from different aspects, people can grab this chance to develop connection with other artists, exchange opinions and meet with their supporters. All of this can be their positive motivation and stimulation to create inspiration.



Other Activities Stage In the present stage, there is only one annual festival holding in Kapana. Festivals can

bring happiness and entertainment to participants and thus gather people naturally. As a result, regular creative kermess is proposed as a new core activity in Kapana.

Besides, a stage will be placed in the square of Kapana and broadcasting various activities during the day. It included some local brand shows, magic shows, street art performances and sharing sessions about the creation course of authors or even the counter owners. These can heat up the atmosphere and make the event content more fruitful and attractive.

Theme Novelty value is an essential factor for every regular event. As a result, different themes will be given to every kermess. The decoration of the venue and stage will be matched as the theme to highlight the theme. Counter owners will be required to try their best to follow the theme in counter decoration, products and even dree code. The subject-oriented appearance can help the kermess to be more topical and interesting. More important, people will expect the difference for next time’s kermess and increase the retention ratio.

University Cooperation Youth can be said as our future. Based on this statement, cooperation with local university or art school is recommended to this event. An area will be separated for exhibition of selected students’ best works. So here is the place for the students to make first appearance of their talent. It is also a chance for the public to take a look of the future star.

3.2.6 Aim

Short-term In the short term, the kermess will help promote the Kapana. More and more people will come

to kapana to participate into the tours and activities here. More and more people will feel interest

in Kapana and to know more about Kapana. In this way, the shops in the kapana will be more

popular, so that more and more shops or galleries, or creative workshops will begin to get consulted

here. Since now, kapana is a place without many shops or people, it is very necessary to increase

the numbers of shops or workshops to make it a more interesting place for people to visit.

Long-term: Since the Creative Kermess is more about the arts and culture, after maybe some years, the

Kapana will be in the atmosphere of arts and culture. Kapana could be a gathering place for creation

and art. The value and label of Kapana will be accepted by the people from Kapana as well as the

local people. Kapana may have a more clear definition for itself. On the other hand, because that

during the Kermess, the local artists, the shop owners, the neighbor of the Kapana, the local people

and even the tourists will have a better communication, the people in Kapana will have a stronger



bonding. They may know more clearly about the Kapana and begin to love and feel proud of

Kapana. They may more enjoy the life in Plovdiv after participation in the Kermess.

3.2.7 Risks Limiting cars from the Kappana will have a lot of benefits for both shop owners and clients. First

of all, it will make it easier for pedestrians look at shops more often and easily. No visual

distraction or blockage. Secondly, Shops can put their products outside on the sidewalk in order

to attract people more. However, when we solve the problem of parking cars in the Kapana this

doesn’t mean that cars are going to disappear. It just means that they will park in another

neighborhood. It will be harder for people to park their cars. Also, it will be harder for people

who park their cars and go to Plovdiv Center. These people will need another place to park their

cars other than the kapana where they were used to park their car.

It will take time for people to get interested back in the Kapana. Not only for the clients but also

for the craftsmen and the shop owners. Promotions and effort is needed in order to make the

first attempt the best attempt so that the first impression will last forever.

The choice of time is also important because people are not always available all over the year so

seasons are also an essential role in the game.

3.3 TIME TRAP CAFE

3.3.1 Objectives

TimeTrap objectives for the first three years of operation include:

o The creation of a unique, upscale, innovative environment that will differentiate TimeTrap from local coffee houses.

o Educating the community on what the Internet has to offer. o The formation of an environment that will bring people with diverse interests and backgrounds

together in a common forum. o Good coffee and bakery items at a reasonable price. o Affordable access to the resources of the Internet and other online services.

3.3.2 Keys to Success

The keys to the success for TimeTrap are:

o The creation of a unique, innovative, upscale atmosphere that will differentiate TimeTrap from other local coffee shops and future Internet cafes.

o The establishment of TimeTrap as a community hub for socialization and entertainment.



o The creation of an environment that won't intimidate the novice user. TimeTrap will position itself as an educational resource for individuals wishing to learn about the benefits the Internet has to offer.

o Great coffee and bakery items.

3.3.3 Mission

As the popularity of the Internet continues to grow at an exponential rate, easy and affordable access is

quickly becoming a necessity of life. TimeTrap provides communities with the ability to access the

Internet, enjoy a cup of coffee, and share Internet experiences in a comfortable environment. People of

all ages and backgrounds will come to enjoy the unique, upscale, educational, and innovative

environment that TimeTrap provides.

3.3.4 Risks

The risks involved with starting TimeTrap are:

o Will there be a demand for the services offered by TimeTrap in Eugene? o Will the popularity of the Internet continue to grow, or is the Internet a fad? o Will individuals be willing to pay for the service TimeTrap offers? o Will the cost of accessing the Internet from home drop so significantly that there will not be a

market for Internet Cafes such as TimeTrap?

3.3.5 Start-up Summary

The communications equipment necessary to provide TimeTrap’s customers with a high-speed

connection to the Internet and the services it has to offer make up a large portion of the start-up costs.

These costs will include the computer terminals and all costs associated with their set-up.

In addition, costs will be allocated for the purchase of coffee making equipment. One espresso machine,

an automatic coffee grinder, and minor additional equipment will be purchased from Allann Brothers.

Start-up Expense Details:

o 7 PS4 = 5600 Leva o one espresso machine = 300leva(max)

o drinking/eating counter = 600leva o 7 computer desks with chairs – 2000leva o one telephone= 60leva o decoration expense = 2000leva

3.3.6 Competitive Comparison

TimeTrap will be the first Internet cafe in Plovdiv. TimeTrap will differentiate itself from the strictly-

coffee cafes in Plovdiv by providing its customers with Internet and computing services.

3.3.7 Service Description TimeTrap will provide its customers with full access to the Internet and common computer software and

hardware. Some of the Internet and computing services available to TimeTrap customers are listed

below:



TimeTrap will provide. Good coffee, specialty drinks, bakery goods, and a comfortable environment will

provide TimeTrap customers with a home away from home. A place to enjoy the benefits of computing

in a comfortable and well-kept environment.

3.3.8 Future Services

As TimeTrap grows, more communications systems will be added. The possibility of additional units has

been accounted for in the current floor plan. As the demand for Internet connectivity increases, along

with the increase in competition, TimeTrap will continue to add new services to keep its customer base

coming back for more.

Global NGO Mr. Rashid, Radim, Antonio, Mohammed and Mrs. Zhang Zhou, Graziana, Nastya, Wong

Ho Yan©2014

4. WORKS PLAN

Goal Steps Starting Data Ending Date

Improve kapana exposure 01/09/2014 15/11/2014

design&printing of fliers and signs

hire PR, place information points

get in touch with media

Organization of the Kermesses 01/09/2014 31/10/2014

organize the advertisement for the events

hire an event manager, establish networks among the shops

build networks with local artists and musicians

assign spaces to artists and creative people in kapana in the street

open-calls to hire live music performers

buying material for the stands

Time trap 01/09/2014 31/12/2014

property renovation, design

be compliant with hygienc norms and fiscal rules

hiring personnel

establishing the management structure

Documents

Project proposal for Plovdiv2019