The STARLIGHT Schools

• Date: 25th - 29th September 2023 
• Duration: 5-day learning experience + 2 days travel
• Destination: Razlog, Bulgaria
• Topics: entrepreneurship, digital marketing and customer care

The first school of the STARLIGHT project took place in Razlog, Bulgaria, from the 25th to 29th September 2023. The fourteen participants, arriving from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy and Spain, were hosted by the National Business Development Network (NBDN), i.e. the Bulgarian partner of the STARLIGHT project.

 

Day 1 – 25th September 2023

The school started with a warm welcome from Gergana Kolcheva, deputy mayor of Razlog, who underlined the importance of astrotourism for both the environment and the diversification and development of the tourism sector.

Then, Atanas Krantchev (NBDN), after presenting the agenda and the expected results of the STARLIGHT school, conducted an ice-breaking session in order to let the participants get to know each other before dividing them into three teams, named Cassiopeia, Lyra and Cygnus, according to their individual interests and skills.

In the afternoon, the STARLIGHT participants got the chance to present their homework from Webinar #2 and #3 to each other, thus inspiring their colleagues and showing their interest in astrotourism.

Finally, Stefanie Pontasch (TyEO) and Katya Vladova, Chief Assistant Professor from the Management and Administration Department of the University of Economics of Varna, presented, respectively, the Business Model Canvas and the LEAN entrepreneurship method, in order to give the participants the necessary tools to complete their week’s assignment, namely the creation of a business model for the observation of dark skies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 – 26th September 2023

The second day of the STARLIGHT school started with a presentation on decision-making skills for entrepreneurs by Petar Petrov, Chief Assistant Professor from the Management and Administration Department of the University of Economics of Varna. In particular, he illustrated the main decision-making techniques, the DECIDE model, and a case study about “StarryTrail Adventures”, a small tourist company specialised in experiential tourism.

Then, one of the participants of the STARLIGHT school herself, Etta Dannemann, being a star guide and a Startup Coach for the Digital Economy Association of Berlin-Brandenburg, presented one of her own business model on astrotourism, as well as some examples of best practices in stargazing around the world. After that, Enrico Di Nola gave some feedback on the participants’ homework for Webinar #1, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses.

In the afternoon, the participants visited the Razlog Historical Museum, where they met Iva Nakova, owner of a guest house and a horse stable, who illustrated the concept of customer care and how she was able to grow her businesses. Moreover, the STARLIGHT group visited the SPA village of Banya and its Roman bath, as well as an exhibition on the flora and fauna of the Pirin National Park.

Finally, after dinner, the STARLIGHT participants were able to take a stroll into the meadows, guided by a local park ranger and Stefanie Pontasch (TyEO), in order to learn about the local nocturnal wildlife and verify the quality of the artificial light coming from street lamps, hotels and other buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3 – 27th September 2023

The third day of the STARLIGHT school started with a session of group work. Indeed, after identifying their business case on the very first day of the summer school, the three groups, Cassiopeia, Lyra and Cygnus, kept on working on their Business Model Canvas, coached and supervised by the mentors.

Then, Tsvetan Tsvetkov, from the Institute of Astronomy of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, gave a presentation about astrotourism and his own experience as a scientist working in an observatory and organising visits and solar observations for the general public.

After having dinner at a local rural guest house, where the participants also had the chance to wear the traditional costumes and learn the local dances, the STARLIGHT group enjoyed a brief stargazing tour, conducted by Milen Minev, from the Bulgarian National Astronomical Observatory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4 – 28th September 2023

The fourth day of the STARLIGHT school started with yet another group work session, in order to allow the participants to complete their business models in view of the afternoon’s multiplier event, held at the House of Culture of Razlog.

Indeed, after Atanas Krantchev’s presentation of the STARLIGHT project and Tsvetan Tsvetkov’s  presentation of the Bulgarian National Astronomical Observatory, the three groups of the STARLIGHT project had the chance to present their business models to both the stakeholders and the general public, in the conference hall of Razlog's House of Culture.

The multiplier event was attended by more than 40 stakeholders, i.e. representatives of the local authorities, the hospitality businesses, the vocational training institutions, the schools, the Local History Museum, the NGOs, and some private citizens of Razlog, simply  interested in the topic of astrotourism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5 – 29th September 2023

The fifth and last day of the STARLIGHT school, the participants attended a class on social media activities and created a Working Guidance in order to provide recommendations to those interested in engaging in astrotourism. Indeed, the Working Guidance aims to both develop and implement successful tourism offerings, on the basis of the participants’ practical experiences during the STARLIGHT summer school.

Finally, before the return journey, the participants visited and ate at the Peri Volas horse stable in Bachevo, near Razlog.