site.btaAthens University's Slavic Studies Department Head: Bulgarian Studies Interest Students

Bulgarian studies strongly attract students’ interest by offering them a wide range of opportunities for academic development and professional realization, said the head of the Department of Russian Language and Literature and Slavic Studies, Prof. Tatiana Borisova, during the award ceremony of the 11th annual Bulgarian Studies Competition at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

"This year's competition has a deeply anniversary character. It draws inspiration from key moments in Bulgarian history and spirituality, such as the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising (1876), the 1080th anniversary of the Dormition of Saint John of Rila, as well as the 175th anniversary of the first celebration of the holy brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius in Plovdiv (1851)," she pointed out.

"Having already successfully completed our first decade, this year's gathering marks the dynamic continuation of a tradition distinguished by academic dedication, fruitful collaborations and substantial participation by the student community," Prof. Borisova further stressed regarding the development of the competition.

The head of the department drew attention to the initiatives implemented jointly by the Bulgarian News Agency, which since February this year has had a National Press Club in the Greek capital, and the Bulgarian studies students.

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to BTA for its hospitality and for the excellent opportunities for cooperation that it offers," she noted.

"At the same time, our academic initiatives through the GraecoBulgarica project, as well as our participation in the Untold Stories of the Bulgarians programme of Bulgaria's Ministry of Education and Science, further strengthen our department's connection with scientific research and the broader educational community. This year we continued our research work dedicated to Dimitar Shishmanov, while our students took active part in the educational programmes of the Seliminski Centre, in an Erasmus+ mobility programme jointly with Veliko Tarnovo University, as well as in an academic conference at Plovdiv University dedicated to the April Uprising," Prof. Borisova added.

The competition award in the "translation" category was presented to Spyridoula Lambropoulou for her translated poems by Boris Hristov and Dora Draganova. She will also receive the opportunity to attend a summer seminar in Bulgarian language organised by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. In the "research" category, a joint project by Eirini Papouli and Ioanna Laliotou dedicated to Vladimir Svintilla was recognised, while in the field of "artistic expression" Maria Gavridou received an award for her recitations. They will also receive cash prizes.

In addition to certificates and awards, participants in the competition also received books by contemporary Bulgarian authors on behalf of BTA's National Press Club in Athens, as well as issues of LIK magazine thematically dedicated to Bulgarian language and literature.