The Department of "Tourism, Mountaineering, and Orienteering" at NSA celebrated its 70th anniversary

On November 29, 2024, the Department of "Tourism, Mountaineering, and Orienteering" at the National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski" marked the 70th anniversary of its establishment.

The celebration program began with competitions in sport climbing and orienteering, where students from the department demonstrated their skills.

During the official part of the event, the Rector of the National Sports Academy, Prof. Krasimir Petkov, delivered a welcome speech highlighting the department's significant contribution to the development of science and disciplines related to sport climbing, orienteering, and tourism.

"I am proud to congratulate all colleagues who have worked in this department on their achievements. We can bow before their experience and skills, as well as their contributions to Bulgarian sports and science," stated Prof. Petkov, presenting the department with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the academic leadership in recognition of its contributions.

Through a presentation by Assoc. Prof. Nikolay Panayotov, the head of the department, the event's guests had the opportunity to recall fascinating historical facts and learn details about the most notable sports successes and research achievements of the faculty and students. Over the decades, the department has included Bulgaria's most prominent mountaineers, athletes with remarkable achievements in sport climbing and orienteering, and participants in research expeditions, including those to Antarctica. This was evidenced by the presence in the hall of the department's veterans – Assoc. Prof. Georgi Zhaltov, Assoc. Prof. Kanchо Dolapchiev, and Senior Assistant Trifon Dzhambazov, as well as iconic athletes like Senior Assistant Doychin Boyanov, Kiril Nikolov – Diesel, and many others.

Among the official guests was Stoicho Banenski, the mayor of Bansko Municipality. As an alumnus of the Department of "Tourism, Mountaineering, and Orienteering," he expressed his emotions and shared his personal connection: "For us, the people of Bansko, destiny has predetermined us to be an inseparable part of the Pirin Mountains and thus engage in activities for which the 'TMO' department prepares qualified personnel. That's why many of my fellow citizens, including myself, choose to acquire a profession and high specialization in this department. Their positions in the field of tourism and other areas, as in my case, prove that the training at the 'TMO' department provides a solid foundation, shapes character, builds willpower, and creates people!" emphasized the mayor of Bansko.

The event was attended by members of the academic leadership as well as former NSA rectors Prof. Lachezar Dimitrov (2003-2012) and Prof. Nikolay Izov (2019-2023). Among the official guests were representatives of institutions and organizations with which the department successfully collaborates: Emil Neshev – Director of the Mountain Rescue Service at the Bulgarian Red Cross, Prof. Hristo Pimpirev – Director of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, Ventsislav Venev – Chairman of the Bulgarian Tourist Union, Prof. Atanas Georgiev – Honorary Chairman of the Bulgarian Orienteering Federation, Prof. Malcho Malchev – Expert at the Commission for Health and Sports of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency, and others.

The event concluded with the official opening of the thematic photo exhibition "70 Years of the TMO Department," located in the Academy's Educational and Olympic Center.