The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences marked the National Enlighteners Day – 1 November – with a ceremonial meeting held in the “Prof. Marin Drinov” Hall of the Academy. Today, the mission of the national Revival leaders continues to live on here, at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, through the dedicated work of Bulgarian scientists who are building our shared future, preserving our national memory and advancing knowledge. With these words, the Vice-President of the BAS Prof. Emmanuel Moutafov opened the meeting.
The President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member Evelina Slavcheva, delivered a festive address. On 1 November, Bulgaria pays tribute to those individuals who, through the power of the word, knowledge, faith and their personal example, have preserved the Bulgarian spirit through the centuries; to the people who, in the most difficult times, defended the Bulgarian people’s right to have their own history, language, culture and future – to the nationalal enlighteners, the spiritual leaders of the nation whose legacy continues to light our path today, said the President of BAS.
She recalled that this year marked the 150th anniversary of the outbreak of the April Uprising. The connection between the national enlighteners and the April Uprising is natural and profound, she added, noting that during the National Revival, education and the struggle for freedom went hand in hand. The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has taken upon itself the responsibility of marking this significant anniversary in a worthy manner. The academic organising committee that has been set up has joined forces to turn the commemoration into a large-scale initiative for the preservation of historical memory, the President of BAS added.
Traditionally, on this festive day, the academic community turns its attention to events or key historical figures who have left a lasting mark on our national identity. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the birth of Rayna Knyaginya – a standard-bearer of the April Uprising but also an exceptional national revival leader, midwife and enlightener. Academician Yatchko Ivanov delivered an academic address on Rayna Knyaginya.
The Minister of Culture, Evtim Miloshev, attended the ceremonial meeting at BAS. He congratulated the scientists on the eve of the National Enlighteners Day and urged them to uphold national ideals. “Let us preserve our own identity through science, education and culture,” he added.
To mark the occasion, official messages of congratulations were sent to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences from state institutions, universities and partner organisations.
The traditional BAS Awards for Journalists of the Governing Council of BAS were awarded in the “Electronic Media” category to:
– Ani Kostova, host of “An Afternoon for the Curious” („Следобед за любопитните“) on the “Hristo Botev” programme of the Bulgarian National Radio;
– The team behind the “Bulgaria This Morning” (“България сутрин”) programme on Bulgaria ON AIR.
A special award for his long-standing and comprehensive coverage of the activities of BAS was presented to Lyubcho Neshkov of the BGNES news agency. This award is an expression of deep appreciation not only for the media partnership but also for Mr Neshkov’s personal commitment.
The recipient of the prestigious award “For Correct and Rich Bulgarian Language in Journalism” is Ivo Ivanov – a journalist at the “Bulgaria” Radio of BNT, scriptwriter for the iconic “Tourism BG” programme of BNT and author of the “The Altars of Bulgaria” and “The Home of Faith” series.
During the ceremony at BAS, the President of the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria, Prof. Diana Petkova, presented the Union’s annual awards for outstanding scientific achievements.
