European Identity Rooted in Roman Law, Says Sofia University Rector

Risida Dimitrova, Konstantin Kostov

Prof. Georgi Valchev, Sofia, September 11, 2025 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Sofia,

11.09.2025 21:31

(BTA)

Prof. Georgi Valchev, Rector of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, said at the opening of the 10th International IUS & LEX Conference here on Thursday that despite the different traditions within national legal systems, our shared foundation in Roman law reflects our common European identity. The event hosted by Sofia University marked the anniversary of the Balkan Association for Roman Law and Roman Legal Tradition Societas pro iure romano.

The forum is organized by the Faculty of Law at Sofia University and its Roman law scholars, with the support of Rector Prof. Georgi Valchev and the Dean of the Law Faculty, Prof. Daniel Valchev.

Georgi Valchev said that since the European Renaissance, Europe has recognized its origins in ancient Greek and Roman civilization. As such, no modern legal system exists without bearing the lasting traces of Roman law.

The Rector added: “Young people must understand, through Roman law, the fundamental flaw of the present time, which persuades them that everything begins with them. In reality, the world progresses and survives thanks to the strong traditions it observes, and there is nothing more enduring in modern European law than the Roman tradition.”

The conference was attended by constitutional judges Yanaki Stoilov and Nevin Feti, by MPs, and by Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev. Participants in the event come from Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo, the Republic of North Macedonia, Turkiye, Croatia, Romania, Italy, France, Spain, Poland and Switzerland. The forum will also mark the 10th anniversary of the electronic magazine IUS ROMANUM.

/RY/