“Today we proudly and emotionally celebrate the 156th anniversary of the founding of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), which began its existence as the Bulgarian Literary Society,” said BAS President Evelina Slavcheva during a ceremonial assembly on Monday.
Slavcheva explained that the idea of forming scholarly societies in Europe dates back as early as the 14th century, but gained momentum in the 17th century with the creation of institutions such as the Leopoldina Academy in Germany, the Royal Society in the United Kingdom, and the French Academy of Sciences. These academies sought new perspectives in scientific research and its dissemination for the benefit of societies and states, she noted.
On the Balkans, academic organizations emerged in the 19th century—the Serbian Academy of Sciences was founded in 1841, the Romanian Academy in 1866, and just three years later, in 1869, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was established – under Ottoman rule.
The ideological foundation of the Bulgarian Literary Society was laid in Prague (1867–1868), when two passionate and patriotic young men, both around the age of 30, met: Marin Drinov and Vasil Stoyanov. They were determined to create a central institution for Bulgarian scientific, literary, and educational endeavors, naming it “St. Cyril and Methodius” Bulgarian Literary Society.
Their efforts were supported by the Bulgarian emigrant communities in Galați, Bucharest, Braila, Chisinau, and Odesa, as well as by the generous donations of wealthy merchants from those cities, including Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi in Bucharest and Nikola Toshkov in Odesa.
Among the key figures involved in the cause was Vasil Drumev from Shumen—an alumnus of the Kiev Theological Academy, a promising writer and playwright, Slavcheva added.
“From its founding to the present day, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has been home to remarkable scholars, statesmen, politicians, bankers, public figures, clergy, some of the greatest and most talented writers and artists—academicians and corresponding members—who have contributed to the building of the foundations of the Bulgarian state from the late 19th to the early 20th century,” said Slavcheva.
A key highlight of the event was also the marking of another important date: 155 years since the founding of Periodichesko Spisanie (Periodical Journal) in 1870, the first scientific journal in modern Bulgaria, which continues today as the BAS Journal, still authored by distinguished Academy members.
The significance of this milestone was honored with an academic address, delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elka Traykova from the Institute of Literature at BAS.
An exhibition titled “155 Years of the Periodical Journal of the Bulgarian Literary Society”, prepared by the Central Library of BAS, is currently on display in the Academy’s lobby.
During the ceremony, the Grand Prize for Science of BAS was presented to Corresponding Member Prof. Dr. Tsvetalina Tankova by the Assembly of Academicians and Corresponding Members of BAS.
Among the guests at the ceremony were Prof. Andrey Chorbanov, Chair of the Parliamentary Education and Science Committee, members of Parliament; former president Georgi Parvanov (2002–2012), Academician Nikolay Vitanov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, university rectors, scientists, and educators.
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Celebrates 156th Anniversary THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2025-10-13 14:09:00
