1160 years since the conversion of Bulgarians, 1170 years since the creation of the Glagolitic alphabet and 1140 years since the Dormition of St. Methodius
The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is hosting a scientific forum on the occasion of the celebration of three significant anniversaries – 1160 years since the conversion of the Bulgarians, 1170 years since the creation of the Glagolitic alphabet and 1140 years since the Dormition of St. Methodius. The official opening took place today in the “Prof. Marin Drinov” Hall.
The President of BAS, Corr. Memb. Evelina Slavcheva, welcomed the participants in the forum. “These three dates are a living testimony to the deep roots of Bulgarian identity, faith and language. They illuminate our national history but also the entire Slavic and Christian spiritual space,” the President of BAS said. “I believe that our joint efforts and scientific research will contribute to an even deeper understanding of the significance of these three events for Bulgaria but also for Christian Europe,” Corr. Memb Slavcheva said. In her speech, she stressed that “it is namely at BAS that these three significant dates for Bulgarian spirituality and culture should be celebrated with dignity” and thanked the “St. Cyril and St. Methodius” International Foundation which was organizing the event.
In her address, Vice President Iliana Iotova stressed that “The real scientific value lies in the translations of old texts into modern languages, in the research of images, ideas and messages that literary works and testimonies of this era bear.” She said: “It is Bulgaria’s duty as a country to support its scientific and educational institutions in the search for discoveries in medieval texts and the consolidation of the images created in the literature of the time. They are the most serious evidence and the greatest barrier against the use of historical facts and personalities,” the Vice President specified, adding “I accept that our mission is to restore the proper place of Bulgarian studies in the world sciences.”
During the official opening at BAS, His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe made a
congratulatory address on behalf of His Holiness Daniil, Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia.
At the scientific forum, the papers will be presented: “The conversion of the Bulgarians – a key event in the history of Bulgaria” (Prof. Dr. Pavel Pavlov, Faculty of Theology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”), “The work of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius and their disciples, and their role in the integration of the newly converted Bulgarians and Slavs into Christian Europe” (Prof. Dr. priest oeconomus Ivan Ivanov, Faculty of Theology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”), “The Glagolitic Semiosis in the Light of Christian Doctrine or on the Iconicity of Constantine-Cyril’s Missionary Letter” (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tatyana Ilieva, Cyrillo-Methodian Research Center of BAS) and “The Cult of St. Methodius in Bulgaria: Transformations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries “ (Prof. Dr. Georgeta Nazarska and sen. asst. prof. Dr. Svetla Shapkalova, University of Library Studies and Information Technologies).
