site.btaBulgarian Balkan Studies Professor Receives France’s Order of Academic Palms

The French Minister of Education has awarded Prof. Roumiana Preshlenova of the Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre of Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) the Order of Academic Palms (L’Ordre des Palmes académiques), grade Chevalier, for 2025, the Institute said Thursday.

The distinction, one of France’s highest honors in the field of education and science, recognizes Prof. Preshlenova’s contribution to French-Bulgarian cooperation in university education and research.

The decoration was presented by the Ambassador of France to Bulgaria, Marie Dumoulin, at a ceremony held on November 12 at the French Embassy in Sofia.

“This is a high award for me as well as for all colleagues and partners with whom we have worked to strengthen ties between French and Bulgarian scholars in the humanities,” Prof. Preshlenova said in her remarks. She added that she has always been guided by the belief that the mission of science today is not only to create knowledge, but also to share and disseminate it.

Guests at the ceremony included the Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation Arnaud Bauberot, former President of Bulgaria (2002–2012) Georgi Parvanov, BAS Vice President Corresponding Member Evdokia Pasheva, Deputy Minister of Culture Assoc. Prof. Todor Chobanov, Director of the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, Dean of the Faculty of History at Sofia University Prof. Mira Markova, and Director of the Museum of History of Sofia Assoc. Prof. Veneta Handzhiyska, along with representatives of the academic community and public figures.