site.btaPM Zhelyazkov Sends Off Bulgaria’s Science Olympiad Teams for 2025 Global Stage

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov presented the Bulgarian national flag to the country's science Olympiad teams set to represent Bulgaria at the most prestigious international Olympiads in 2025, the government press service said here on Monday.

At the ceremony in the Council of Ministers, pupils and teachers from all national teams in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, linguistics, informatics, astronomy, astrophysics, geography, and artificial intelligence were present.

In 2024, Bulgarian students brought home 91 awards from international, European, and Balkan competitions—11 gold, 40 silver and 40 bronze medals. Of these, 42 prizes (including 9 gold) were earned at major international Olympiads. In just the first half of 2025, the national teams have already won 26 medals at five international contests—2 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze.

Addressing the young talents, Zhelyazkov said they represent the future of Bulgaria, praised their efforts, and encouraged them to seek knowledge that would benefit not only themselves but society as a whole. He emphasized that the ceremony itself symbolized the country’s recognition and trust and assured them that Bulgaria would support them wherever their academic journeys may take them.

Deputy Education Minister Tanya Mihaylova reiterated this, urging the pupils to remember their Bulgarian roots and, if possible, to build the future of Bulgarian science and economy at home.

Deputy chair of the board of the Association of Science Olympiad Teams Elena Marinova explained the Bulgarian flag would travel thousands of kilometers to nine leading global Olympiads, including biology in the Philippines, mathematics in Australia, chemistry in the United Arab Emirates, physics in France, astrophysics in India, informatics in Bolivia, geography in Thailand, linguistics in Taiwan, and artificial intelligence in China.

In 2025, Bulgaria hosted the European Physics Olympiad in Sofia and is set to host the European Junior Olympiad in Informatics in Shumen, after having organized the world’s first International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence just a year earlier.

Nearly BGN 6 million from the national budget has been allocated to cover all participation costs, including travel, fees, insurance, preparation, remuneration, and technical support. A new programme, “Future for Talents,” will further support leading training schools, encourage mentoring, and nurture creative development in Bulgaria’s young science community.