An almost complete Mycenaean vessel, an alabastron used as a container for ointments, was found this summer in a Late Bronze Age (13th cent. BCE) settlement in Southwestern Bulgaria. Mycenaean pottery has only very rarely been found in Bulgaria so far.

The find from 33 centuries ago аго sheds new light on the relations between the southern Bulgarian mountain regions and the urban centers in the Aegean at the time of the Mycenaean palaces.

The strongly fortified settlement of Bresto, on the territory of the modern village Banya, municipality of Razlog, is currently excavated by archaeologists from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich and the New Bulgarian University Sofia. Thanks to the support of the Balkan Heritage Foundation, students from the USA, Great Britain and Australia take part in the research.

The fortified settlement of Bresto is located on a hill slope, surrounded by a river bend of a tributary of the Mesta/Nestos river. The Mycenaean vessel was found in a small passage next to a huge building with an apsidal ending.

The research at Bresto aims at a better understanding of the wealth and far-distance relations of this strongly fortified settlement located between the mountains of Rila, Pirin and Rhodopi. These long-distance connections of Bresto are also indicated by a boar tusk plate, which was probably prepared for the production of an Aegean-type helmet.

The massive stone fortification wall in Bresto has no parallels in Western Bulgaria and Northern Greece so far. The closest resemblance of the offsets of the wall from Bresto can be found in the sixth settlement of Troia.

In the near future, the Bresto project will undertake organic residue analysis in order to clarify the contents of the Mycenaean vessel.

Project Directors: Ass. Prof. Bogdan Athanassov (NBU Sofia), Prof. Dr. Philipp W. Stockhammer (LMU München), Ilia Kulov (Museum Blagoevgrad).

Funding and logistic support: New Bulgarian University, Heidelberg University, LMU Munich, Balkan Heritage Foundation, Institute for Field Research, Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, Municipality of Razlog and Banya, Valeks Group 2 in Razlog, St. Paisii Hilendarski School in Banya.

9,11,13 December, 7:00 p.m., Sofia Opera and ballet House

With the participation of artists from the School of Raina Kabaivanska
Chorus and Orchestra of Sofia Opera and Ballet House
Conductor: Nicola Paszkowski
Director: Plamen Kartaloff

Cast:

Princess Turandot: Ana Petricevic (Serbia), Marily Santoro (Italy)
Emperor Altoum, her father: Dimitar Arnaudov (Bulgaria)
Timur, the deposed King of Tartars: Kostadin Mechkov (Bulgaria), Strahinja Djokic (Serbia)
Calaf, Timurs’son: Yonghyun Ryu (Korea), Taesung Lee (Korea)
Liù a slave girl: Beibei Li (China)
Ping, Grand Vizier: Stefano Kim (Korea)
Pang, Majordomo: Taesung Lee (Korea), Jiangmin Kong (China)
Pong, Head chef of the Imperial: Manuel Rodríguez (Spain)
A Mandarin: Stefano Kim (Korea)

The performance of “Turandot” by Giacomo Puccini is a co-project of New Bulgarian University and Sofia Opera and Ballet House with participation of young opera artists – representatives of the School of Kabaivanska coming from Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, China, Serbia and South Korea. The idea about this performance is a continuation of the efforts of Raina Kabaivanska to discover and work with young talents as well as to promote them on the world opera stage.

The international composition of artists in "Turandot" includes participants and scholarship holders from Master Classes of the great opera actress. After graduation of their musical education at prestigious Academies all over the world young performers improved their skills with Kabaivanska at: New Bulgarian University, Accademia Musicale Chigiana (Siena, Italy) and Music Institute "O. Vecchi - A. Tonelli" (Modena, Italy ).

“Turandot” is the third project of a kind - after 2010 when New Bulgarian University and Sofia Opera and Ballet House conducted the opera “La Boheme” with students of Raina Kabaivnaska from Bulgaria and Italy and 2012 – when “Werther” by Jules Massenet appeared as a result of collaboration between New Bulgarian University, Sofia Opera and Ballet House and the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, Belgium.

Raina Kabaivanska is working already 16 years with young opera artists from all over the world who arrive in Bulgaria to participate in her Master classes organized by New Bulgarian University. This year the number of candidates was record-breaking – representing four continents and 18 countries. The Gala Concert at the end of the Master Class is one of the most eagerly expected opera events in the beginning of the music season.

Main purpose of Raina Kabaivanska Fund and New Bulgarian University is to enable talented young opera singers to continue their education in Bulgaria and Italy. So far the Fund has disbursed over 70 scholarships in three categories for training with Raina Kabaivanska: for Master Class at New Bulgarian University, for Master Class at Academia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy and for one year training at Istituto Musicale "O. Vecchi - A. Tonelli" in Modena, Italy. Over the years different donors and organizations have contributed to the Fund - among them are America for Bulgaria Foundation, Fantastico, Sofia Municipality, Alpha Bank, DSK Bank, Generali Bulgaria Holding, Teatro Comunale Foundation, Music Institute "O. Vecchi - A. Tonelli", Modena, Italian Cultural Institute, Sofia, Ecoterra, Ltd and others. Events are under the patronage of the President of Republic of Bulgaria.

Literary Club "Feather"

The National Palace of Culture

"Bulgaria" 1, Blvd., Sofia

Speaker:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruza Marinska, author of the monograph "The Romantics Dimitar Dobrovich"

 
Moderators:
Assoc. Prof. Yordan Evtimov NBU
Dr. Yuri Datchev, National Academy for Theater and Film Arts “Kr. Sarafov”

Participants:
Students, Teachers and Guests

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruza Marinska is a longtime professor at the NBU, art critic and member of the center BECDC.
Assoc. Prof. Yordan Evtimov - lecturer at the NBU, writer and critic.
Dr. Yuri Datchev is a professor at the National Academy.

ODEON, CINEMA

Sofia, Bulgaria

Gallery "Art Alley" street. "William Gladstone" 51A
Sofia, Bulgaria

Organizers:
Department of "Fine Arts"
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Monika Popova

Participants:
Alina Emilova Papazova Tsvetomira Roumenova Borisova, Christina Metodieva Radlov, Sonia Rosenova Strahilova Antonia Viktorova Novachkova, Teodora Atanasova Peneva, L. Vladimirov Vitanov, Dinkov Ivaylo Nenov, Raina Tasseva and others.

The exhibition "Ceramics NBU" once again presents sculptures of students from programs ceramics NBU "ceramics and porcelain. Modern digital forms "and their leading teacher of ceramics and porcelain - Assoc. Prof. Monica Popova, one of the most prestigious private galleries in Bulgaria - Gallery" Art Alley ".

The exhibition will show contemporary forms by rotation with leading lecturer - Metodi Popov.

For the first time will be seen design forms created with a 3D printer, such programs ceramics NBU first programs in ceramics in Bulgaria, giving training 3D technology and 3D ceramic printer.

There will be photography contests for all ages, drawing competitions for children, beginner and advanced glass workshops, lectures, exhibitions and etc. We are organizing a promotional campaign entitled REDUCE - REUSE - RECYCLE that will disseminate information on responsible lifestyle practices. Partners of the IBG are institutions such as Municipality of Sofia, Municipality of Varna, New Bulgarian University, Veliko Tarnovo University, “Tianaderrah” Foundation, “Greenpeace” – Bulgaria, “For the Earth” Foundation, etc.

Interesting events are in the basis of the visit of representatives of the Embassy of Ireland.

On Monday (9^th January), those who had the opportunity to attend the screening of the documentary movie that won numerous awards, dedicated to the Easter Uprising in 1916 and narrated by actor Liam Neeson. The screening was followed by a discussion in which the audience actively participated.

In this panel also participated Head of the Department of English Studies –  Assist. Prof. Milka Hadjikoteva, PhD, Prof. Hristo Todorov, PhD – Member of the Board of Trustees of NBU and lecturer of the Department of  Philosophy and Assist. Prof. Kiril Avramov, PhD – Vice Rector for International Relations and Research and member of the Department of Political Science.

The efforts of the participating representatives of various fields of science and public life were aimed at seeking an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of significant historical event.

The program also included screenings of two movies dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of National liberation struggle of the country. Feature films that show different perspectives on the events of this important date for Ireland.

TEXT:
OFFICE OF INFORMATION ACTIVITIES

OFFICE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Uniart Gallery 

Students from the New Bulgarian University participated in exhibition „Gift of love“ The initiative was

realized on the occasion of the World Week of Tolerance 

New Bulgarian University students participated in an exhibition GIFT OF LOVE held at the National Palace of Culture. The National Palace of Culture hosted the cultural event in February last year. Despite the time elapsed since its opening, the initiative is still being talked about and it continues enjoying an expressed interest by THE art admirers not only in Bulgaria, but throughout the world.

The event in which New Bulgarian University students actively participated with their copyright art pieces was dedicated to the World Week of Tolerance. It was organized with the support of the Eastern European Forum for Dialogue Bridges and the Centre for European Refugees, Migration and Ethnic Studies (CERMES).

The main partner in the planning and implementation of the initiative is the Bulgarian–European Cultural Dialogue Centre (BECDC) at NBU which is a research centre working on projects related to Bulgarian art and culture from the middle of the 19^th century until present. The centre seeks to promote the educational philosophy of New Bulgarian University, connecting the acquisition of knowledge and professional specialization with the general personal spiritual development. Its mission is a constant and purposeful search of contacts and natural interactions of the Bulgarian culture with the European experience.

The exhibition hosted by the National Palace of Culture comprised of 35 art pieces created by New Bulgarian University students. The young artists showed impressive skills in working with various materials, mainly wood, glass and stone. Their creative views were shown in an unusual and memorable way and impressed all who managed to relate to their different world. The expressed interest was proven by the numerous guests who attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition as well as the guests of the National Palace of Culture who wanted to see the art pieces in the following days.

Several months after the opening of the exhibition, the interest in the event has not been limited to the territory of Bulgaria. The New York influential journal LALITAMBA published an article dedicated to the student artworks, highly appreciating the achievements of the New Bulgarian University students, featuring the art pieces of Tanya Hubenova, Aleksander Tasev and Aleksandra Veleva. 

Elena Kircheva, Ph.D., Secretary General of the VEF, and Vania Kastreva, Ph.D., former Deputy Minister of Education and Science, and Head of the Sofia Inspectorate of Education at the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) greeted the participants.

Mr. Doncho Barbalov - Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality, in charge of the “Finances and Business Activities” Division and ad interim Deputy Mayor in charge of the “Sofia Municipal Healthcare” Division also attended the opening of the international forum.

Business representatives demonstrated interest in the event. Among them were Ms. Mariana Pecheyan, manager of VSK Kentavar Group, nominated for the annual VIP Business Awards 2016 for significant business achievements, winner of 10 consecutive Top Quality Awards and great achievements in deliveries; and member of the Programming Board of the Administration and Management Department; and Ms. Julieta Serafimova - General Director of the 5-star Grand Hotel Sofia and Director of Business Development of “Sofia Hotels’ Management,” the management company of Central Park Hotel Sofia and Suite Hotel Sofia, who is also a member of the Programming Board of the Administration and Management Department.

A special guest of the conference was Assoc. Prof. Ivan Kostov, PhD, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (1997-2001), Chairman of the Management Board of the Center for Analyzes and Risk Management at the New Bulgarian University. His speech contained practical political, economic social analyzes and forecasts. He presented a wide-ranging plenary report on “Critique of Human Capital Management in Bulgaria”, which prompted huge interest and intense discussion in the audience.

A plenary report was also delivered by Prof. Antoni Todorov, PhD, lecturer at New Bulgarian University, on “Inequalities and Democracy: Policies of Integration in Society”.

A special guest of the conference was Professor Joachim Hentze, Dean of the Faculty of Economics at the Technical University of Braunschweig (from 1974 till 2005) and Head of the German-Bulgarian Project at the Technical University, Sofia. Author of over 60 books published in German, English, Russian and Polish on topics related to human resource management, planning and organization, industry economics, intercultural management, hospital accounting. He has been granted the honorific title Doctor Honoris Causa of TU and Honorary Doctor of the University of Economics in Chisinau, Moldova. Prof. Hence captured the attention of the guests with a plenary report on “Management of the Sustainable Development as Part of an Integrated Management Approach”.

Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Panayotov, PhD, Chairman of the Scientific and Organizational Committee of the Conference, as well as of the Business Administration Community, presented an introductory presentation on “Architecture of Power - Alchemy or Dynamic Transformation”.

The conference was also attended by representatives of the scientific elite from the Departments of Management, Public Administration, Economics and Tourism at Struga International University, Macedonia; the University of National and World Economy; Sofia University Kliment Ohridski; the American University in Bulgaria; D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics, Svishtov; the Bulgarian Academy of Science; the Institute for Economic Research; the Burgas Free University; Technical University Sofia; University of Forestry, and other scientific organizations.

Within the framework of the conference, the following authors were presented at New Bulgarian University's Book Center: Prof. Maria-Gabriela Baldarelli, Professor of Business Administration at the University of Bologna “Alma Mater Studiorum”; Prof. Mara del Baldo, University of Urbino, Department of Economics, Social and Political Science; Angelo Presenza, PhD, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy, Department of Economics; and Assoc. Prof. Nellin Kyoseva, PhD, NBU. Springer and IGI Global’s two new scientific journals – “Environmental Accounting - Theory and Practice” and “Geopolitics and Strategic Management in the Global Economy”, aroused great interest. The presentation from Italy included Professor Antonio Matacena, holder of the title Doctor Honoris Causa of the NBU and eternal professor at the Universities of Bologna and Urbino.

The goals set at the start of the international forum covered major issues. Some of these were related to proposals of conceptual schemes, parameters and theoretical and applied models for the various global risks - inequality and social cohesion, demographic crises, migration waves, employment; discussion on effective political, economic and governance models for integration into society - power mechanisms, integration, human capital, business environment, sustainable development and corporate social responsibility (CSR); elaboration of global, regional and national priorities and trends with economic, political, social, cultural and environmental dimensions.

The conference results were presented and discussed at a meeting with the Business Administration Community (program graduates, top managers and senior civil servants). Expectations in this direction are related to finding new ideas and opportunities for development that can be applied in forums and seminars on current scientific and social topics.

The International Scientific and Practical Conference, which has become a tradition, is yet another proof that New Bulgarian University is an institution that succeeds in finding the true pulse of the present and seeks effective solutions to current issues by identifying global, regional and national perspectives.

Agenda:

TOPIC 1

Power and governance: dynamics, forecasts and possible changes

Main focus:

Global risks - inequality, demographic crises, migration waves and employment; effective political, economic and governance models for integration into society; power mechanisms, integration, human capital, business environment, ecology and applied models, management models and trends in tourism

TOPIC 2

International business cooperation - Workshop "New forms of cooperation and preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, together with the Universities of Bologna and Urbino (Italy), the University of Paris 13 (France), the University of Struga (Macedonia)

Main focus:

New forms and options for collaborative management decision-making in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, its applications in different business directions, in human capital management and CSR as key factor and instrument for overcoming the digital divide.

We would like to invite you to join the opening of the official academic ceremony, which takes place on Friday, 29^th September, at 11.00 o’clock! Be patient and take enough time to travel to the university due to the road constructions in the area. In case you do not need the public transport, you could park your personal car in the places designed for parking on Narodno Horo Str.  

Do not forget to bring your beloved friends, smiles and good mood.

We will take care of the rest!

Building One, Main Hall

11:00 Opening Ceremony of the Academic year. Greetings from prof. Dr. Plamen Bochkov, Rector of New Bulgarian University.

12:00 Welcoming Cocktail

13:00 Meeting between students with directors of program councils, program consultants and lecturers. For more details click here.

Open Doors Day 

Book Centre- Library, Bookstore-Building 1 and Building 2

UniArt Gallery

NBU Museum

Students Sport Club

Sport Centre

14:00 Campaign “Working Hours”  University Theatre

For your convenience we provide you with a scheme, where you can find more information about the bypass as well as the parking lots around NBU Campus.

More details about Bus-Line №45 and №73 Route Changes find here, and here

The program of the seminar consisted of the following topics:

Information Security

Principles and Policy

Information Security Management System

Risk management

Computer Networks and Systems Security

Data Protection

Access Control

Vulnerabilities Management

Information Security monitoring and testing

Incident Management

Relationships with Vendors

Information Security aspects of development of software systems

Standards and Legislation

Second-year students from the Informatics Department at NBU actively participated in the hands-on sessions

For more information regarding
Fourthcoming seminars:

Todorova@fourth.com

+359 88 368 7849

JH: Hello , I’m exceptionally pleased from the conducted lecturer’s mobility in University in Orlean , France. I came back with lots of positive energy and enthusiasm for new meetings ,  initiatives and challenges in my lecturer and researcher field of work.

You participated in the program Erasmus+ which purpose is to build stable international partnerships for encouragement of innovations and competition in education. How did you choose the university in which you teach?

JH: I’m francophone and that made my choice preset for me. The University in Orlean is acknowledged for researchers in the field of economics and business administration. Many prominent professors are guest-lecturers and teachers there. In their researcher’s laboratory work PhD students from all over the world. I met colleagues researchers from Romania ,  Germany , China and many more.

What motivated you to participate in this initiative supported by NBU?

JH: It is very important for organizations today to develop their project activity which complements and builds their main activities. In that line of thought ,  opportunities that Erasmus+ provides must be used to their full extent to the end of program period. This is an additional capacity for our university. Lecturer’s mobility for Erasmus is an ideal opportunity for developing the teachers and researchers potential of the institution. Interaction with international colleagues in their academic environment  enriches a lot and brings direct and indirect benefits for the university.

Mobility in this program is carried out on the basis of concluded agreements between NBU and universities from almost every European country. How international cooperation and joint work affect the activities of the lecturers after their return in New Bulgarian University?

JH: In sharing meetings and experiences with students and colleagues , riches in daily exchange in every aspect , striving towards new initiatives and challenges , diversification of lecture courses and transferring knowledge and skills and much more.

How many days was your lecturer’s activity in this program?

JH: It was five days – from Monday to Friday included.

How was your stay?

JH: I received a warm welcome from the colleagues and management. I was introduces to all colleagues – full-time lecturers and researchers in the University Lab. They included me in every initiative , which took place during my stay. I had a full schedule from morning till evening and I managed to work in the university’s library on my research. This was very beneficial for my research in the entrepreneur field. Also I was invited and I presented our university in front of colleagues , guests and international doctor students.

Which were the main subjects of you lectures?

JH: The main subjects of my lectures were related to competitive abilities and policies for improvement of the environment for micro and macro level for entrepreneurship and innovations , agglomerates like mechanism for stimulation of competitive abilities and developing of the so called poles of competition.

What are your impressions from your students and from the academic community?

JH: I encountered cohesive and supportive academic community. The colleagues were open for discussions and extraordinary devoted to their scientific interests and development. The university had invited colleagues from other universities , for example from Germany , which worked on joint research projects. In regard of the students , the PhD students were very focused and thorough in their research and the students from the bachelor programs were very disciplined.

Is there a special moment you won’t forget?

JH: There are many moments which are special to me. They are related to the exchange and regard of the community. I will never forget the silence among the students and their concentration during lectures on macro economy. I have seen interesting for our academic community initiatives , like: prize for presenting PhD developments from the PhD students on the 180 principle , scientific meetings and discussions on PhD studies , joint research projects on the invitation of the university etc.

What is the stocktaking from your journey?

JH: Mobility becomes bigger and bigger part of our everyday life. Similar initiatives are a necessity for the development of modern teaching staff and educational institutions. They contribute  for enriching student courses and programs , student exchange , validation of the international look etc. Of course such mobility requires additional effort on its preparation , administration , organization , conducting , reporting which suggest strong motivation. The stocktaking is positive at least in my opinion. It will be good to create such opportunities and incentives for constantly upgrading and sustainability.

What did you learn from your stay?

JH: It would be good if we all are oriented towards more mobility , more research activities , more joint projects. All of us should be more open to the world – it is beneficial for everybody. Tolerance and respect to others must accompany our daily routine without compromise.

What did you teach the students there?

JH: As my daughter says: “For me it is important my teacher to give me his/hers knowledge.” I hope that I succeed fulfilling this expectations everywhere in my line of work. Of course knowledge must be accompanied by sustainable value model.

Will you take part again in mobility for the purpose of teaching which gives the opportunity for NBU teaching staff to guest in European universities for lecturing courses?

JH: I think that this is a necessity for personal , professional and institutional development.

What you would you advice your colleagues which strive towards achievements and  haven’t currently took part in the international exchange Erasmus+?

JH: Every person in his lifetime finds his way to achieve everything that he needs to achieve, but this depends on his current development. If he is not sure , read this interview again and find that towards he is striving to.

New Bulgarian University is a Partner for the Study of European Values ​​(full partner)

The rector of the New Bulgarian University, Professor Plamen Bochkov, congratulated the experts and wished them fruitful discussions

Prof. Georgy Fotev, EVS national program director and prof. Plamen Bochkov, the Rector of NBU

Prof. Ognian Minchev, assist. prof. Theodora Karamelska, prof. Dimitar Vatzov, associate Prof. Haralan Alexandrov , associate prof. Tatyana Bouruzhieva

Оn the right side are visible Prof. Rumyana Kolarova, Assoc. Prof. Antoni Gulabov

On the right is assoc, prof. Boryana Dimitrova, director of Alpha reasurch. She informs the participants in the Fifth wave process

From left to right prof. Antoni Todorov, prof. Anna Krasteva, asso. Prof. Antoni Gulabov, assoc. Prof. Momchil Doychev, assist. Prof. Ivan Nachev, member of the EVS Bulgarian team

The New Bulgarian University is a Partner for the Study of European Values (full partner). Three years ago, with the support of the leadership of the NBU, Professor Georgy Fotev, EVS National Program Director, created a Center for the Study of European Values. For a second consecutive year, the NBU is hosting a joint university seminar "Contexts of European Values".

In connection with the preparations for the presentation of the data on Bulgaria, which is the President of the EU Council in the first half of 2018, a seminar on „How to Debate European Values?" was held. The seminar was attended by associate professor Briana Dimitrova. Director of Alpha research and   the most prominent and distinguished analysts, professors at the NBU and at the Sofia University „St. Kliment Ohridski“: associate professor Antoni Galabov, professor Antoni Todorov, associate professor Haralan Alexandrov, associate professor Ognian Minchev, associate professor Rumyana Kolarova, associate professor Vasil Garnizov, professor Evgeniy Dainov, associate professor Tatyana Bouruzhieva, professor Alexander Kiossev, professor Dimitar Vatsov, professor Hristo Todorov, associate professor Momchil Badzhakov, professor Lyudmil Georgiev and others.

The rector of the NBU, Professor Plamen Bochkov, welcomed the experts and wished them fruitful discussions. Professor Georgy Fotev pointed out that it was necessary to launch a strategic debate on European values in Bulgaria. A solid empirical basis for such a debate could be the vast and unique data from the five waves of EVS. It is expected that by the end of the year all countries of the 5th wave of EVS will complete their research and the data will be published. A conference will be organized in Sofiato discuss the data from the 5th wave of EVS with the participation of researchers from all Balkan countries. The New Bulgarian University is ready to host this event. Prof. Fotev pointed out that it was not self-evident what was meant by „European values“ - whether these were the values functioning in Europe or the values that defined the identity of Europe? Politeism of values (Weber) makes debates on this subject extremely difficult.

Associate Professor Antoniy Galabov made several important distinctions, the first of which was between the values of Europeans and European values. The culture of Europe is value-defined only through the human being, through the individual person and their rights. Europe is where everyone is born equal in dignity and rights; everything else is not Europe, and this is not a geographic issue. Professor Antoni Todorov pointed out that when we talk about „European values“ we should consider a distinction between normative position and expectations or notions of Europe on the one hand, and realities on the other. Associate Professor Tatyana Bouruzhieva defined the purpose of presenting EVS 5th wave data in May 2018 as not just to communicate the results of scientific analysis but to initiate a wide public debate on „What kind of Europe do we want?“ Associate Professor Rumyana Kolarova noted that the European Values Study was a major scientific project whose long-term mission would be to re-establish the links in the academic community, to stimulate inter-university relations, to organize doctoral seminars and other  scholarly forums. Professor Alexander Kiossev emphasized the need to make intelligent and understandable distinctions and explanations based on EVS data. As a possible longer-term goal, he identified the link between educational goals and cultural policies. He also insisted on an in-depth analysis of the gap between "Project Europe" and the values practically functioning in the European societies.

Professor Dimitar Vatsov called for a correct presentation of the sociological data, but also stressed the need to send a political message in defense of European values, which, especially in connection with the sharp increase in xenophobia and homophobia among Bulgarians, have been under attack in recent years. Professor Ognian Minchev agreed that defining European values stemmed from the basic recognition of human freedom and dignity. He also questioned whether scholars should speak about them from the position of academic neutrality, or rather that each analyst is associated with certain ideological and political values. Considering the very serious value dynamics in Europe, according to Professor Minchev, it is of utmost importance to put some limits on what it is and what is not a European value, through clearly distancing ourselves from pejorative definitions.

In conclusion, Professor  Fotev noted that the goal was not to reach unanimity on the topics discussed, which was hardly possible, but to achieve understanding and dialogue in the Bulgarian society. „Our strategic debate on European values – he said – needs to be based on a solid empirical basis, on rationalizing the growing complexity of the modern world. Intellectual honesty is a central virtue of scientific activity  and we are responsible to the Bulgarian society.“

Dr. Teodora Karamelska, Assistant Professor at NBU

Deputy Director of the Center for the Study of European Values at NBU

Prof. Fotev and Assoc. Prof. Boryana Dimitrova, Alfa Research Director after the NBU seminar discuss visualized data on the Presentation scheduled for May 30      

Vicky Almazidou has participated in tours with world-famous musicians such as Peter Erskine, Glen Ferris, Airto Moreira and in concerts with many world stars as  Billy Cobham, Aaron Goldberg, David Murray. She has created the first class of jazz singing at Contemporary Conservatory in Thessaloniki. Along with her pedagogical work, Vicky Almazidou participated in a number of festivals and sang in the most prestigious jazz clubs in Greece and Bulgaria.

This year a special guest lecturer in the Master class will be the famous trombonist Velislav Stoyanov. He is grandson of the great Bulgarian composer Yosif Tsankov and one of the most popular musicians for concerts and studio recordings. In addition to work with the best Bulgarian musicians, the trombonist had joint projects with persons from the world music stage such as Dephazz, Mezzoforte, Dave Weckl, Jimmy Bosch, Herman Olivera, Max Moya, Peter Herbolzheimer, Poogie Bell, Frankie Morales, Charles Mack, Jiggs Wigham. In 2008, Velislav Stoyanov along with trumpeter Mihail Yossifov, creates conceptual unification of brass musicians Brass Association, which in last few years actively works for the promotion and revival of brass music in Bulgaria, and is an example and support for many young Bulgarian brass musicians.

The Master class will finish with a gala concert at Sofia Life Club on 29^th  June, 2018 at 21:00, with participation of the best students in the master class together with their teachers. During the concert, Milcho Leviev and Vicky Almazidou will give scholarships from their fund NBU for young musicians.

Over the years, a number of world famous musicians have joined the Master class, including Aron Goldberg – piano (USA), Billy Cobham, drums (USA), David Murray - saxophone (USA), Craig Bailey - saxophone (USA), Francisco Mela - percussion (USA), Chico Freeman - saxophone (USA), Aaron Goldberg - piano (USA), Marc Halbheer - drums (Switzerland), prof. Glenn Ferris - Trombone (France), and the famous Bulgarian musicians Petar Slavov - contrabass, Stoyan Yankulov -Stundji - drums.

Audition: September 10

Master class: 11-28 September

Gala: September 29 – 7 p.m., Sofia Opera and Ballet House

Registration. 

In her Master Class Raina Kabaivanska will work on improving the participants vocal technique and interpretation of pieces chosen by themselves.

Eligible Applicants: professional musicians or current students in Academy / Higher Institution of Music up to 32 years old. Each applicant should choose and prepare five arias for the audition.

The most successful participants in the Master class will receive scholarships from the Raina Kabaivanska Fundat New Bulgarian University for training in Italy.

During the audition for the following Master Class Raina Kabaivanska will also choose young talented opera singers for leading roles in the opera "Don Giovanni" by Mozart. The performances will be presented in season 2019/2020 at Sofia Opera and Ballet.

For more information:

Facebook: Raina Kabaivanska School

mstoyanov@nbu.bg,

+359883 455 939

 
Ph. Svetoslav Karadzhov

Faith and science are not incompatible. Major breakthroughs in modern science have been made by eclesiastics or by believing scientists. Both faith and science have as ultimate goal achieving of the truth in their own way. Faith postulates ethical principles that are valid for everyday life as well as for scientific research.

In view of the importance of the relation Faith - Science - Authority, the LPRU „Prof. Plamen Tzvetkov“offers doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers to present their views and reflections on that, in an essay contest dedicated to the memory of its patron who was not only a prominent scholar but also a deeply believing person.

The deadline for submission of the essays (ca. 10-15 pages), is October 30, 2019.

The essays should be sent to: rzaimova@abv.bg; genov@nbu.bg; mmetodiev@nbu.bg.

The prizes for the ranked participants will be respectively: 500, 300 and 200 BGN, and we will look for opportunity of
publication of the ranked essays in the NBU’s own publications and in prestigious thematic journals.

The ranked essays will be announced, and the prizes and certificates for participation will be given on November 15, 2019, in Hall 214 Corpus I „Prof. Plamen Tzvetkov“.

Guided by the care for the preservation of your health and the health of your relatives and in compliance with the Decision of the National Assembly for the State of Emergency in the Republic of Bulgaria, from 16.03.2020 (Monday), your training will continue from regular to distance learning (e-learning).

Your lecturers will ensure that e-learning is conducted in the most convenient format according to the program you are studying. For further instuctions, please check your e-mails frequently.

The semester will be extended by one week until 21.06.2020 due to the one-week vacation in the period 6^th-15^th of March.

According to the development of the epidemic situation, after the end of the semester NBU will provide compensation through consultations, seminars, work in the library, laboratories and specialized training rooms.

For any questions, please feel free to contact the International Relations Office at: foreign.student@nbu.bg.

 We wish you good health,

Assoc. Professor Plamen Bochkov, Ph.D.

Rector of NBU