Research division
Cultural-historical Heritage and National Identity
Institutes and Academic Specialized Units
Mario Ivanov
Scientific secretary of division 8. Cultural-historical heritage and national identity
mivanov@cu.bas.bg
National Archaeological Institute with Museum
The research in this division is aimed at studying, preserving and popularizing the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage as part of the common European cultural tradition and history.
The main spheres of research in the humanities are: Bulgarian studies, Balkan history, Thracology, Cyrillo-Methodian Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Historiography, Medievalism, Musicology, Dramatic Art, Fine Arts, Screen Arts, Architecture, Ethnology, Folklore, Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology , Museology and others.
Information technologies, electronic publishing and digitization of bulk information of the cultural, historical and scientific heritage are implemented, and digital repositories are created to systematize the samples of this heritage and to make effective access to them.
Planned, rescue and emergency archaeological researches and field studies are carried out, and active participation is taken in the preparation to realize national infrastructure projects – highways, gas pipelines, oil pipelines, coal and mineral mining as well as in projects related to the organization of cultural tourism.
Analyses of phenomena related to ancient, medieval, traditional, new, contemporary and modern culture in the context of its specific role in building national, Balkan and European identities in a globalizing world are made.
News
Honorable mentions for Prof. Aleksander Naumow from Bulgaria and Poland
With a particularly solemn and lavish ceremony, according to its centuries-old tradition, on 24 June Jagiellonian University renewed the doctorate of the doyen of Polish Paleo-Slavic studies, Bulgarian and Cyrillo-Methodian studies, Prof. Aleksander Naumow - [...]
Prof. Emmanuel Moutafov opens a conference at Sofia University
The Vice-President of BAS Prof. Emmanuel Moutafov has opened today the Fifth Annual Scientific Conference of the Centre of Excellence "Heritage BG" in his capacity as R&D Coordinator of the eponymous project for the construction [...]
Presentation of the book “Macedonia in European Ethnic Cartography (Mid-19th Century – End of the First World War 1918)”
The book "Macedonia in European Ethnic Cartography (Mid-19th century - the end of the First World War 1918)" (Македония в европейската етническа картография (Средата на XIX в. – края на Първата световна война 1918 [...]
BAS scientist with prestigious film award
The Grand Prix of the "The Golden Linden" International Film Festival for New European Cinema 2025 has gone to the film "Before I Forget" (2024, director Stanislav Donchev). Co-writer and co-producer of the film is [...]
Forum in Zagreb discusses Bulgarian-Croatian cooperation
The Bulgarian-Croatian cooperation in the field of history and humanities was presented at a forum held on 19 May at the National Library in Zagreb. The event was attended by Dr. Irina Ognyanova from the [...]
Over 60 researchers from 14 countries discuss Christian missions in the European Middle Ages
The International Scientific Conference on "Christian Missions in the European Middle Ages and their Intellectual Heritage. History, Notions, Ideas" has been opened at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences today. More than 60 participants from 14 [...]
A renowned German Byzantinist gives a lecture on a project of IBSCT
On May 15, 2025, the Institute of Balkan Studies & Center for Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences held a public lecture by Professor Peter Schreiner, a visiting foreign Bulgarian Studies scholar. Professor Schreiner [...]
International Annual Conference of the Institute for Bulgarian Language
The "Prof. Lyubomir Andreychin" Institute for Bulgarian Language at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is celebrating 83 years since its foundation with a two-day international annual conference which is taking place in the “Prof. Marin [...]
The film “155 Years of BAS – The Living Spirit of the Founders” was screened at the Ethnografilm International Festival in Paris
The film "155 Years of BAS - The Living Spirit of the Founders" by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ina Aneva, Scientific Secretary of the Biodiversity, Bioresources and Ecology Division of BAS, was selected and screened at [...]
The Cyrillo-Methodian Research Center commemorates the Dormition of St. Methodius Slavo-Bulgarian
On April 8, 2025, in the hall of the Czech Centre in Sofia, the Cyrillo-Methodian Research Centre of BAS commemorated the 1140th anniversary of the blissful dormition of St. Methodius Slavo-Bulgarian. Guests of the academic [...]
Minister Krasimir Valchev discusses changes in the curricula of humanitarian disciplines with scientists from BAS
The Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev today discussed the vision for a comprehensive change in the Bulgarian language, literature and history curricula with scientists from the Institute for Bulgarian Language, the Institute [...]
A young scientist from BAS has been elected as a representative in the Global Young Academy
For the first time, Bulgaria has a representative in the Global Young Academy (GYA). This is Asst. Prof. Dr. Alexandra Milanova from the Institute of Balkan Studies with the Center of Thracology at BAS. She [...]
Icarus Award for Prof. Nikolay Iordanov from the Institute of Art Studies of BAS
On World Theatre Day, 27 March, the "Icarus" National Performing Arts Awards of the Union of Bulgarian Actors were presented. At a ceremony at the National Theatre, Prof. Nikolay Iordanov from the Theatre Department of [...]
Presentation of the book “Slavic World. Freiburg Lectures 1923/1924”
Ivan Shishmanov's book of lectures "Slavic World. Freiburg Lectures 1923/1924" was presented on 19 March at the “Prof. Marin Drinov” Hall of BAS. The compilers of the volume are Prof. Elizabeth Cheauré and Prof. Rumjana [...]
A second lecture on cultural diplomacy held at BAS
The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Bulgaria H.E. Ms. Jasna Ognjanovac talked about the power of cultural diplomacy. The event took place on 25 February and was organized by the “Prof. Alexander Fol” [...]
National exhibition “Bulgarian Archaeology 2024”
The "Bulgarian Archaeology 2024" national archaeological exhibition was opened on 14 February at the National Archaeological Institute with Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Over 500 exhibits from 32 sites, varying in type and [...]
The Vice-President of BAS Prof. Shterionov participates in a celebration of the Agricultural University
The Vice-President of BAS, Prof. DSc Shtelian D. Shterionov participated today in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Faculty of Viticulture and Horticulture of the Agricultural University of Plovdiv and [...]
National discussion “SOS for cultural heritage”
A national discussion "SOS for Cultural Heritage" with the participation of scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was held today in Sofia. The forum was organized by the Cultural Heritage Society - the Bulgarian [...]
Discussion on „Cultivating influence: Cultural diplomacy between France and Bulgaria“
A public discussion on "Cultivating influence: cultural diplomacy between France and Bulgaria" was held on 7 February in the “Ivan Geshov” Hall of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. This was the first in a series [...]
“The pogrom in Bosilegrad 15-16 May 1917” at the National Assembly
The photodocumentary exhibition "The pogrom in Bosilegrad 15-16 May 1917" by Associate Professor Dr. Angel Dzhonev from the Institute for Historical Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was opened on January 29 at the [...]
Highlights from the upcoming exhibition “Bulgarian Archaeology 2024” presented by the National Archaeological Institute with Museum
Finds from two of the most emblematic archaeological sites in 2024: the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica near the locality of Rupite and Mound 1 in the village of Kapitan Petko Voyvoda, Topolovgrad municipality, were [...]
“Animated Heritage” Annual Awards of the Institute of Art Studies – BAS for 2024
The film director and screenwriter Prof. Georgi Djulgerov and artist Alzek Misheff are the winners of the awards The Institute of Art Studies at BAS presented its annual Animated Heritage Awards for a special contribution [...]
“Early Neolithic settlement Slatina-Sofia” mural
Голямоформатният стенопис „Раннонеолитно селище Слатина-София (6100 – 5500 г. пр. Хр.) беше представен днес пред публика. Нарисуван е от художниците Иван Монев и Мария Матовска върху северната фасада на сградата на 93-то средно училище „Александър [...]
Prof. Wanda Smochowska-Petrova Prize – 2024
On 15 November 2024, the Polish Institute in Sofia hosted the award ceremony of the “Prof. Wanda Smochowska-Petrova" Prize, organized by the Institute of Literature at BAS and the Polish Institute in Sofia. Established in [...]