The French Minister of Education has conferred the Order of Academic Palms of the Republic of France (L’ordre des Palmes académiques, grade de chevalier) for 2025 upon Prof. Roumiana Preshlenova from the Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre of Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. 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. Ms. 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 have worked together to strengthen ties between French and Bulgarian scholars in the field of humanities”, Prof. Roumiana Preshlenova emphasized in her speech. She pointed out that she had always been guided by the understanding that the mission of science in the modern era was not only to create knowledge but also to share and disseminate it.
Special guests at the ceremony were the Scientific and University Cooperation Attaché Arnaud Bauberot, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2002-2012) Georgi Parvanov, the Vice-President of BAS Corr. Memb. Evdokia Pasheva, the Deputy Minister of Culture Assoc. Prof. Todor Chobanov, the Director of the State Institute for Culture to 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 Sofia History Museum Assoc. Prof. Veneta Handzhiiska, representatives of the academic community and prominent public figures.
