site.btaHistorians, Archaeologists, Public Figures Present Appeal to Celebrate 1,400 Years of Bulgaria in Europe

At the BTA National Press Club here on Wednesday, Bulgarian historians, archaeologists and public figures presented an appeal for a celebration of the 1,400th anniversary of the founding of the Bulgarian State in 2032. The presentation was part of the national initiative "14 Centuries of Bulgaria in Europe," organized by Bulgarian National Television (BNT), BTA, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS).

Prof. Plamen Pavlov of the St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo read out the appeal: "We, the undersigned Bulgarian historians and public figures, guided by our duty to preserve and strengthen the historical memory of our people, call upon the Bulgarian public and the Bulgarian State to commemorate in the most solemn manner a remarkable anniversary - 1,400 years since the founding of the Bulgarian State. In this endeavor, we join the joint initiative announced by BNT, BTA, and BNR, "14 Centuries of Bulgaria in Europe," with the support of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and together we call on the Bulgarian public and the Bulgarian State to solemnly mark the anniversary." 

"The 14 centuries since the birth of the Bulgarian state tradition in 2032 is a particularly important anniversary requiring the organization of appropriate celebrations, scientific conferences and campaigns to preserve the cultural heritage of Bulgarians in Bulgaria and around the world," the appeal reads further. "Commemorating this anniversary is our filial duty, both to Bulgarians living within today's Bulgarian borders and to the millions of our compatriots living all over the world."

The appeal bears the signatures of: Prof. Alexander Nikolov of St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia; Assoc. Prof. Andrey Aladzhov of the BAS' National Archaeological Institute with Museum; Assoc. Prof. Boni Petrunova of the National History Museum; Prof. Georgi Atanasov of the Dobrudzha Scientific Institute; Prof. Georgi Valchev of Sofia University; Assoc. Prof. Georgi Georgiev of the Institute for Historical Studies with BAS; Assoc. Prof. Georgi Dimov of the BAS' Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre for Thracology; Prof. Georgi Nikolov of Sofia University; Prof. Daniel Vachkov of the Institute for Historical Studies; Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Gyudurov of New Bulgarian University; Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov of Veliko Tarnovo University; Prof. Dimo Cheshmedzhiev of the Cyrillo-Methodian Research Centre at BAS; Assoc. Prof. Zhivko Lefterov of the Institute for Historical Studies; Assoc. Prof. Kiril Marinov of Uniwersytet Lodzki in Poland; Prof. Nikolay Kanev of Veliko Tarnovo University; Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov of the Dimitar A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in Svishtov; Assoc. Prof. Nikolay Hrisimov of Veliko Tarnovo University; Assoc. Prof. Petar Nikolov-Zikov of New Bulgarian University; Prof. Peter Stoyanovich of the Institute for Historical Studies; Prof. Plamen Pavlov of Veliko Tarnovo University; Prof. Roumiana Preshlenova of the Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre for Thracology; Prof. Stanislav Stanilov of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum; Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Nikolov of the G. S. Rakovski National Defence College in Sofia; Assoc. Prof. Todor Todorov of the Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen; and Assoc. Prof. Todor Chobanov of the Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre for Thracology.

Wednesday's news conference was opened by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev. Among the attendees were BNT Director General Emil Koshlukov, BNR Director General Milen Mitev, BAS President Evelina Slavcheva and her predecessor, Academician Julian Revalski, and Sofia University Rector Stanislav Stanilov.