The National Academy of Art marked its 130th anniversary with honorary distinctions and institutional recognition
2026.10.22
In celebration of the 130th anniversary of the National Academy of Art—held under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Science—the institution received high-level institutional distinctions and dozens of congratulatory addresses.
Mihaela Dotsova, President of the 52nd National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, presented a facsimile edition of a historic issue of the State Gazette (Darzhaven Vestnik) of 1896. This issue contains the Decree of Prince Ferdinand I and the Act establishing the State School of Drawing in Sofia, which laid the foundations for art education in Bulgaria.
In recognition of its significant contribution to the development of art education and the arts, the preservation of national cultural heritage, and the professionalism instilled in generations of Bulgarian artists, the National Academy of Art was awarded an honorary plaquette by the Ministry of Education and Science. The distinction was presented by Prof. Georgi Valchev, PhD, Minister of Education and Science.
The Academy also received a plaquette and an honorary distinction from the Bulgarian Red Cross on the occasion of its 130th anniversary—honoring its significant contribution to Bulgarian education, art, and culture, its role in preserving national spiritual values, and its long-standing, fruitful partnership with the organisation.
Ccongratulatory addresses were received from representatives of state authorities, local government, diplomatic corps, professional and industry organisations, academic community and schools across Bulgaria, international partners, and foreign art academies:
Rumen Radev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria
Galab Donev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Bulgaria
Evtim Miloshev, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria
Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria
Natalia Efremova, Minister of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria
Engr. Sofia Torolova, District Governor of Sofia District
Vassil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia City Municipality
Dimitar Nikolov, Mayor of Burgas Municipality
Tihomir Yanakiev, Mayor of Sozopol Municipality
Rangel Markov, Mayor of Bankya
Lilyana Ivanova, Head of Regional Department of Education – Burgas;
Lyuben Genov, Chairman of Union of Bulgarian Artists
Adelina Fileva, Director of Sofia City Art Gallery
Kalin Sarmenov, Director of Aleko Konstantinov Satirical Theatre
Dr. Marchela Borisova, Director of Sofia City Library
H.E. Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Slovak Republic
Antonia Veleva, Director of the Cultural and Information Centre of the Republic of Bulgaria in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
Małgorzata Hajduk-Gromek, Director of the Polish Institute in Sofia
Katya Dimitrova, Chair of Bulgarian Association of Communication Agencies
Corresponding Member Prof. Evelina Slavcheva, D.Sc., President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Prof. Eliza Stefanova, PhD, Rector of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"
Corresponding Member Prof. Miroslav Dachev, DSc., Rector of Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts
Prof. Sava Dimitrov, PhD, Rector of Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music
Assoc. Prof. Zhan Pehlivanov, PhD, Rector of Prof. Asen Diamandiev Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts – Plovdiv
Assoc. Prof. Gichka Kutova-Kamenova, PhD (Arch.), Rector of the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy
Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, PhD, Rector of the University of National and World Economy
Prof. Boycho Landzhov, MD, PhD, Rector of the Medical University – Sofia
Prof. Dobromir Dimitrov, MD, PhD, Rector of the Medical University – Pleven
Prof. Ivaylo Koprev, PhD, Eng., Rector of University of Mining and Geology "St. Ivan Rilski"
Prof. Dragomir Plamenov, PhD, Eng., Rector of Technical University – Varna
Prof. Iliya Zhelezarov, PhD, Engr., Rector of Technical University – Gabrovo
Prof. Galin Ivanov, DSc, Rector of University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv
Assoc. Prof. Hristo Mihaylov, PhD, Rector of University of Forestry
Prof. Miglena Temelkova, PhD, Rector of University of Telecommunications and Post
Prof. Irena Peteva, DSc, Rector of University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, and Prof. Stoyan Denchev, DSc (Econ.), President and Member of the Board of Trustees of UniBIT;
Prof. Nataliya Vitanova, DSc, Rector of Shumen University "Episkop Konstantin Preslavski"
Assoc. Prof. Nikolay Marin, PhD, Rector of South-West University "Neofit Rilski" – Blagoevgrad
Assoc. Prof. Marin Marinov, PhD, Rector of Dimitar A. Tsenov Academy of Economics – Svishtov
Prof. Petar Hristov, PhD, Rector of Varna Free University
Prof. DSc Krasimir Petkov, Rector of Vasil Levski National Sports Academy
Major General Stayko Prokopiev, Commandant of G.S. Rakovski Military Academy
Brigadier General Dr. Stancho Kaykov, Commandant of Vasil Levski National Military University
Major General Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, MD, DSc., Head of Military Medical Academy
Prof. Georgi Manolov, DSc. (Pedagogy), President of Academy of National and Information Security
Dimitar Madzharov, Director of Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National School of Music and Performing Arts, Burgas
Zhaklin Mutafyan-Neycheva, Director of Geo Milev English Language High School, Burgas
Prof. Bettina Erzgräber, Rector of Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design – Halle, Germany
Prof. Franco Marocco, Director of Brera Academy of Fine Arts, Milan, Italy
Prof. Błażej Ostoja Lniski, Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Poland
Prof. Dr. Przemysław Wachowski, Rector of Władysław Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź, Poland
Prof. István Erőss, PhD, Rector of Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Budapest
Prof. Paola Babini, Director of Academy of Fine Arts in Ravenna, Italy
Prof. Beybora Temel, PhD, Dean of Faculty of Fine Arts, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
Prof. Shen Hao, Vice Dean of China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
Prof. Zheng Jin, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sculpture and Public Art and Head of the Department of Art in the Public Environment, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
Assoc. Prof. Mariana Smith, Associate Professor of Visual Arts, Stockton University, USA
Prof. Lech Majewski, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Poland;
Prof. Krassimir Gigov, PhD, Director General of the Bulgarian Red Cross, and Academician Hristo Grigorov, President of the Bulgarian Red Cross
Prof. Vassil Zhivkov, PhD, Chairman of the Board of Branch Chamber of Woodworking and Furniture Industry; Dr. Engr. Iliya Garkov, Engr. Lyubomir Haynov, Engr. Irena Tsakova – the management body of DPM Metals in Bulgaria