Cyrillo-Methodian Research Center

The Cyrillo-Methodian Research Center at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (CMRC) is a specialized scientific unit within the scientific division “Cultural-Historical Heritage and National Identity” oriented towards a complex study of the work of the creators of the Slavonic writing, St. Cyril and St. Methodius, and its influence on Bulgarian and European culture.

Basic research is complemented by active training activities. In pursuit of its mission, CMRC develops a wide range of multidisciplinary research (linguistic, literary, palaeographic, codicological, theological, historical, cultural, etc.) related to all aspects of the Cyrillo-Methodian work, which is of big significance for the overall historical path of Bulgaria and is one of the most important factors for the safeguarding of the national identity of the Bulgarian people. Its safeguarding and development is also the greatest contribution of Bulgarians in the European and world written culture.

Research activity

The main results and achievements of CMRC activities are in line with the priorities set in the perspective of the Strategy for the Development of Science in Bulgaria:

  • Search for and complex study of Cyrillo-Methodian sources in medieval manuscripts from IX to XVI centuries and Old printed books, kept in Bulgarian and foreign libraries and published Slavic, Greek, Latin and Roman-German sources;
  • Complex study of the Cyrillo-Methodian traditions from IX century to present-day in Bulgaria and in Europe;
  • Study of the Slavic writing as a system and its functioning in Europe since its emergence to the present day; 4. Popularization of the Cyrillo-Methodian work and traditions to the benefit of the Bulgarian society as part of building of a new European Knowledge society;
  • Safeguarding and socialization of the Bulgarian mediaeval heritage through the tools of digital humanities – the digital repository “Cyrillo-Methodian Cultural Heritage” (http://repository.kmnc.bg/) has been created;
  • Expert advice to the Bulgarian state and public institutions in relation to cultural phenomena in the sphere of Cyrillo-Methodian studies and the international acceptance of the scientific truth regarding the controversial problems of the Cyrillo-Methodian work;
  • Publication of the research results of CMRC scholars in prestigious humanitarian periodicals and monographs in the country and abroad.
Educational activity

CMRC is accredited for PhD students training in three programs:

2.1. Philology: Theory and History of Literature

2.1. Philology: Bulgarian Literature

2.1. Philology: Bulgarian Language

Number of PhD students: 3, 1 postdoctoral student

Besides the training of PhD students, the Center provides a different type of specialization in Cyrillo-Methodian Studies: it trains PhD students and trainees under Erasmus+; its research associates are lecturing as guest lecturers at prestigious universities abroad as well as in the Training Center of BAS and Bulgarian universities.

A project in support of teachers and students: “Video-lecture courses on Cyrillo-Methodian Studies” (in collaboration with Publishing House “Prosveta”).

History of the unit

The Cyrillo-Methodian Research Center is the successor of a centuries-old research tradition at BAS, devoted to the study of the oldest, Cyrillo-Methodian period in the history of Slavonic literature and the related phenomena and artifacts. At its very beginning, it was the Clement Committee set up in 1914. The results of its activities became the basis for the establishment of a Commission for the Publishing of the Cyrillo-Methodian Sources (the so called Cyrillo-Methodian Commission) at BAS by decision of IV International Congress of Byzantine Studies in 1934. Having existed until 1944, the Cyrillo-Methodian Commission was restored only in 1971, comprising two scientific associates under the chairmanship of corr.-mem. Prof. Kiril Mirchev. In 1980, it merged with the newly-founded Cyrillo-Methodian Research Center, the first director of which was Academician Prof. Petar Dinekov. With the extension of scientific research and laying the foundations for complex studies of the Cyrillo-Methodian work, the staff of the Center was also expanding. In connection with the restructuring of BAS in 1994, the Section for the Publishing of Old Bulgarian Texts, led by Assoc. Prof. E. Dogramadjieva from the Institute for Bulgarian Language at BAS was transferred to it as well as individual scientists from the Institutes for Balkan studies and Art Studies.

Over the years, Academician Petar Dinekov, Prof. DSc Ekaterina Dogramadjieva, Prof. Svetlina Nikolova, Prof. Vasilka Tapkova-Zaimova, Prof. DSc Boryana Velcheva, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elena Kotseva, Prof. Dr. Klimentina Ivanova, Prof. Dr. Lilyana Mavrodinova, Prof. DSc Lora Taseva, Prof. DSc Maria Yovcheva have been working at the institutions whose successor is CMRC.

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