site.btaBalkan Studies Professor Roumiana Preshlenova Receives France' L'ordre des Palmes Academiques

The French Minister of Education honored Prof. Roumiana Preshlenova from the Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre of Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences with L'ordre des Palmes académiques, grade de chevalier of the Republic of France for 2025. This is one of the highest distinctions, testifying to France's recognition of her contribution to the French-Bulgarian cooperation in the field of university education and scientific research. The order was presented by H.E. Marie Dumoulin, newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France to Bulgaria, at a solemn ceremony on November 12, 2025 at the French Embassy. This is a high award for me as well as for all colleagues and partners with whom we worked together to strengthen ties between French and Bulgarian scholars in the field of humanities, emphasized Prof. Roumiana Preshlenova in her speech. She pointed out that she has always been guided by the understanding that the mission of science in the modern era is not only to create knowledge, but also to share and disseminate it.

Special guests at the ceremony were the Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation Arnaud Bauberot, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2002-2012) Georgi Parvanov, the Vice-President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member Evdokia Pasheva, the Deputy Minister of Culture Assoc. Prof. Todor Chobanov, the Director of the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, the Dean of the Faculty of History of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski Prof. Mira Markova, the Director of the Museum of History of Sofia Assoc. Prof. Veneta Handzhiyska, representatives of the academic community and prominent public figures.