programme

COST A283 MC meeting/Workshop, April 27-30, 2005:

Workshop Title:

Virtual Observatories:
Plate Content Digitization, Archive Mining andImage Sequence Processing

Workshop Programme

Please download the detailed and poster programme files:

Brief progarmme:

April 26 Arrival. Accommodation at the Hotel of
the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Hotel "RAI",
Registration and Welcome Reception

April 27   Registration (continued)
                 Official opening (Sofia University, Aula)
                 Plenary session: iAstro Review and Wide-Filed Plate Archives
                 Afternoon session: Plate Content Digitization
                 Poster session

April 28 Morning Session: Archive Mining,
                 Afternoon Session: Image Sequence Processing
                 COST A283 MC meeting
                 Poster session
             Workshop Dinner

April 29 Social Programme:   Visit of the Rila "St. Ivan Rilski"
                 Monastery and Town of Melnik.

April 30 Virtual Observatory sessions, EGEE and SEE-GRID initiatives
                Poster session
                Workshop Closing

May 1     Departure

Social Events:

Visit the UNESCO's World Heritage "The Rila Monastery"

http://georgy.hit.bg

Discover the biggest spiritual and cultural center in Bulgaria for hundreds of years.
A part of UNESCO's World Heritage,
A touch of the Balkan medieval history - Rila Monastery gives you the impression of a fortress. However, a step through the archway produces a wonderful surprise. With its 1200 scenes of decorative paintings anda multitude of figural images, the open arcade is a genuine art gallery.
At the center, the church itself, with richy colored frescoes in the shelter of its porch is the focus of attention. The intricate carvings of the gilt iconostasis, the church plates and murals will amaze and captivate you.
Rila Monstery is just in the heart of the Rila Mountain, about 120 km south of Sofia. The trip takes a whole day and is being organized every Saturday and Sunday.

http://www.balkantourist.bg/balkanturist/other/onedaytrips/default.asp

and nearby Town of Melnik - the smalest town in Bulgaria:

http://georgy.hit.bg

With under 300 inhabitants, Bulgaria's smallest town - Melnik, 20 km southeast of Sandanski, is famous for its robust red wine, impressive houses and natural surroundings. Nestled amidst the southwestern fold of Pirin mountain, Melnik combines memories of a prosperous past and unique in its kind countryside with whimsical sand pyramids, sandstone towers and mushrooms, vineyards and orchards. The original Revival architecture of the Melnik houses with their famous sand wine-cellars, the ruins of the old-time splendour such as the 13th century Boyar House, and the numerous churches, are the reason Melnik has become an architectural reserve. You can still enjoy the justly famed Melnik wine once traded as far as Western Europe in the numerous taverns and hotels. Moreover, the proximity to the 12th century Rozhen Monastery and the Rupite - home village and burial place of the oracle Baba Vanga, makes Melnik the most popular destination in southern Pirin.

http://www.motoroads.com/city-bulgaria-melnik.html

http://www.eurotravelling.net/bulgaria/melnik/melnik_history.htm

The whole day excursion* on April 29 is organized
byTravel Agency "BECK-REISEN" and included:

08:30 Departure from the Hotel of Academy

10:30 Arrival at Rila Monastery

10:30-12:30 Rila Monastery visit

12:30 Departure to town of Melnik

13: 30 Arrival at Melnik

13:30-15:30 Dinner ( "MENCHEVA KASHTA" )

15:30-18:00 Visit the wine-cellar: "Kordopulova Kashta" and Melnik

18:00 Departure to Sofia

about 21:00 Arrival in Sofia Hotel of Academy

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* payment for the excursion is included in the registration fee