The Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel blessed the academic community of NAA with a water blessing on Academy Day

On November 14, the academic community of the National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski" celebrated the 82nd anniversary of the official opening of the first academic year in its history. The event was led by Assoc. Prof. Hristo Andonov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs.

The presence of the Bulgarian Patriarch and Sofia Metropolitan Daniel added exceptional solemnity to the celebration. His Holiness performed a water blessing for the health and well-being of the academic community and delivered a speech with universal messages.

“Let us thank God for these 82 successful years since the founding of the National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski," for the thousands of athletes who have glorified Bulgaria worldwide, for the thousands of teachers, coaches, physical education teachers, and specialists, and for all the alumni of the Academy over the years. Let us also thank for sportsmanship, because without sportsmanship there is no real sport. And sport is closely connected with spirituality. As Apostle Paul said 2,000 years ago in his letters, when speaking about spiritual struggles and successes, he illustrated them with the way athletes prepare and participate in competitions: 'Anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules,'” said Patriarch Daniel.

In his address, the rector of NAA, Prof. Krasimir Petkov, reminded the role of the founding fathers of the State Higher School for Physical Education in 1942 and the foresight of the then rulers who created Bulgaria’s only sports university.

“The people who worked for the Academy have left their souls behind. And this is one of the reasons our Alma Mater is among the most successful higher education institutions in the country, and will continue to be so as long as the belief in what we do remains unshaken. I want to thank the academic community, without whose support the restoration of our Academy would not have been possible. This is a manifestation of our deep conviction that faith has saved our people in difficult times,” emphasized the rector.

In his academic speech, Prof. Lozan Mitev, head of the "History of Physical Education and Sport" department and the Educational and Olympic Center at NAA, highlighted the historical role of the Academy in shaping motor culture, knowledge, values, and key personal qualities related to the opportunities of sport as a social phenomenon with a powerful positive effect on human development and all aspects of it.

“Today’s holiday takes us back to 1942 when the first students and teachers, with inspiration and hope, with faith and responsibility, took on the mission of building sports culture in Bulgaria from scratch, without any resources, without infrastructure, without experience, without traditions, and without authority. It was a time of uncertainty, war, severe material restrictions, and adversity, but also a time of dedication, selfless enthusiasm, and a sense of duty to the Fatherland,” recalled Prof. Mitev.

Among the official guests was the Minister of Youth and Sports Georgi Glushkov, who emphasized NAA’s contribution at the national and international level: “Today’s day gives us the opportunity to look back at history and pay tribute to all the teachers, coaches, and sports specialists who created and developed many champions who glorified Bulgaria with exceptional successes. We also honor the talented alumni of the Academy, who have shown that with hard work, strong will, and a fighting spirit, great things can be achieved. The National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski" is a priceless national treasure because, beyond the limits of sport, it contributes to building a strong nation with a sporting spirit, develops and nurtures the values of sport and Olympic ideals,” stressed Minister Glushkov.

The rector, Prof. Krasimir Petkov, awarded Patriarch Daniel with the "Honorary Sign with Ribbon" for his spiritual support in the fulfillment of the social and educational mission of the National Sports Academy.

For his long-standing contribution to the development of the National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski," Prof. Kiril Andonov, who served as vice-rector and assistant rector in several management terms and authored some of the anniversary gala performances at NAA in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture, was also awarded the "Honorary Sign with Ribbon."

Assoc. Prof. Iliya Antonov was awarded the NAA Medal for his contribution to the development of the "Volleyball" specialty at the Academy.

Honorary plaques were awarded to faculty members who reached significant anniversaries, including the dean of the "Tourism, Mountaineering, and Orienteering" department, Assoc. Prof. Georgi Zhaltov.

The academic leadership also awarded a plaque to student Silvia Pantova, a third-year student in "Football," for her exceptional bravery in a risky situation, saving a human life while performing her duties as a lifeguard.

As tradition dictates, the NAA Board of Trustees awarded scholarships of 2,500 BGN to students from all professional fields who achieved the highest success in their studies during the past academic year.

In the professional field "Sport," the scholarship provided by "Fresh Radio Group" Ltd. was awarded to Stanislava Sarandeva, a third-year student in "Swimming," with a grade point average of 6.00.

In the professional field "Pedagogy of Physical Education," the scholarship went to Todor Levenov, a third-year student in "Physical Education," with a grade point average of 5.92. The check, provided by "Fantastico Group" Ltd., was presented by Diana Yordanova, Director of Corporate Communications.

In the professional field "Public Health," Maria Petrova, a second-year student in "Kinesiotherapy," with a grade point average of 5.78, was awarded the scholarship provided by "Ecofarm" Ltd. The check was presented by Dr. Petar Velev, CEO of the company and member of the NAA Board of Trustees.

In the professional field "Health Care," the top student was Spaska Gergova, a second-year student in "Nursing," with a grade point average of 5.53. The scholarship, funded by Private Secondary School "Pythagoras" Ltd., was presented by Asen Markov.

The annual award of the Mayor of Sofia for special achievements in sports science and activities with significant social impact in the fields of sport and public health was awarded to Vladislav Bonev, a doctoral student at the "Kinesiotherapy and Rehabilitation" department. He earned the prize of 1,000 BGN for his scientific publications and participation in academic forums. The check, along with a message from Sofia’s Mayor Vasil Terziev, was presented by Valentina Likova from the Directorate for "Sport and Youth Activities."

The graduates who received the academic and scientific degree "Doctor," as well as faculty members with academic progress, received their diplomas from Rector Prof. Krasimir Petkov. The new assistants were also presented.

His Holiness and the accompanying high-ranking clergy visited the NAA chapel, which has recently started restoration and renovation. The Bulgarian Patriarch showed interest, offering important guidance and recommendations regarding the chapel's design in accordance with the Orthodox canon and symbolically planted a tree.

In line with the historical context of the holiday, the official guests visited the Educational and Olympic Center and highly appreciated the cultural and historical value and permanence of the artifacts in its rich museum exhibition. In the center's special book, His Holiness wrote his blessing: "With good wishes and prayers, may you continue in the spirit of faith and the sports ideals of the founders and all predecessors of the academic community of NAA."

As tradition dictates, the celebration concluded with the joint laying of a wreath and flowers, together with the Student Council, in front of the monument to Vasil Levski, the patron of NAA, and the bust monuments of the Academy's rectors.

Among the official guests at the celebration were also Ilin Dimitrov, Secretary for Culture, Education, and Tourism to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Petko Goranov, Mayor of the "Students" district, NAA rectors Prof. Nikolai Izov (2019-2023), Prof. Pencho Geshev (2012-2019), Prof. Lachezar Dimitrov (2003-2012), as well as Teodora Ivanova, Chairperson of the State Agency for Child Protection, Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Andonov, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Toshko Todorov, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Chamber, Major General Emil Tonev, Head of the National Security Service, Angel Stoykov, Chairperson of the National Union of Students, and other esteemed individuals.

Congratulatory addresses to the academic community were sent by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, Minister of Education and Science, Galin Tsokov, Minister of Health, Dr. Galya Kondeva, Mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, Chairperson of the Council of Rectors, Prof. Miglena Temelkova, Chairperson of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, Stefka Kostadinova, Director General of the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency, Kiril Vulchev, Head of Sofia City Education Directorate, Vanya Kastreva, and others.