Outgoing President Vows Support for Bulgarian Science

Outgoing Bulgarian President, Georgi Parvanov, is the initiator of the change of guard ceremony in honor of the National Enlighteners Day. Photo by BGNES

Outgoing Bulgarian President, Georgi Parvanov, and Vice President, Angel Marin, attended Tuesday the traditional raising of national colors and change of guard in front of the presidential building.

The start of the ritual was given 7 years ago under Parvanov's initiative – it is dedicated to the National Enlighteners Day when Bulgaria pays tribute to all those committed to culture and education.

At the same time, the square in front of the building was occupied by employees of the National Archeology Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), who protested against budget cuts for BAS. They say they have not received salaries in the last three months and people are leaving their jobs.

At the end of the ceremony, the President went to the demonstrators as a sign of support. He made the commitment to them to approach Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, on the issue with funding for education and culture.

Earlier Tuesday, during the awards ceremony for contributions to Bulgarian culture, Parvanov stressed that he expected discontent among the public, particularly among artists, educators, and researchers over the insufficient effort of the State and the institutions to develop those sectors.

"This is one of most beautiful days in Bulgaria's calendar. I have asked myself many times if there are other people, who have in their traditional historical calendar such spiritual holidays. This is bow to all Bulgarian creative minds," the outgoing President concluded.

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