The Treaty of Craiova is the topic of an international conference in Sofia

The Vice-President of BAS Prof. Shtelian Shterionov welcoms the participants

The International Scientific Conference “The Treaty of Craiova – Diplomacy instead of Violence. The Intertwinning Histories of the Balkans and Europe” was officially opened today in the “Prof. Marin Drinov” Hall at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The two-day event is dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Craiova on 7 September 1940 and the return of Southern Dobrudzha to Bulgaria.

For the first time, the Treaty of Craiova has been the subject of an international conference in Sofia, with Bulgarian, Romanian and Italian scholars discussing the events that changed history. The aim of the scientific forum is to show a contemporary scientific view of the important events of the autumn of 1940, often marginalised in the national historical narrative and remaining rather in the memory of the local communities that became the object of the treaty.

The Vice-President of BAS Prof. Shtelian Shterionov welcomed the participants on behalf of the President of the Academy. He stressed that this was an event that not only restored the territory of Bulgaria in the Northeastern direction but had an impact on the overall development of our country and allowed to solve the problems related to our national unification. On the other hand, this event showed that there was a way to solve territorial problems peacefully which would become an example for solving this type of problems also in the present troubled era, the Vice-President said. I believe that all participants in this forum and the accompanying discussions will contribute to broadening our understanding of the true nature of this historic act.

Bulgaria and Romania have been inextricably linked for centuries, Acad. Ivan Ilchev said in his address. The Treaty of Craiova is practically the only major success of Bulgarian diplomacy after the First World War, he stressed, noting that the topics of the conference are extremely diverse.

After the official opening, a speech was delivered by the writer and public figure Zahari Karabashliev. A plaquette and a diploma were presented to Prof. Antonina Kuzmanova for her overall contribution to the study of the Dobrudzha question.

The Institute for Historical Studies of BAS, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, the Regional History Museum – Silistra and the Regional History Museum – Dobrich are the organizers of the scientific forum. Scholars from Bulgaria, Romania and Italy are presenting their research on the Treaty of Craiova, the Dobrudzha issue and the historical realities and relations between the Balkan countries in the first half of the 20th century.

The event was honored by Prince Boris of Tarnovo, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PanEuropa, leading historians and representatives of the academic community.

On 20 September, the conference will continue in the New Conference Hall of SU “St. Kliment Ohridski”. See Conference Programme.