Тhe University of Sofia hosted the annual conference and general assembly for 2025 of the prestigious international federation Euroclassica, which brings together associations of teachers of classical languages (Ancient Greek and Latin) from over 30 European countries.
The theme of the forum was "Classical Languages between School and University," and it included several open lectures and discussion panels on issues related not only to the current state of classical education: both as a transmitter of fundamental European values and as a field facing a number of challenges today, but also with the future of the humanities as a whole.
The forum was officially opened in the Rectorate Hall and was attended by the Vice-Rector of University of Sofia, Prof. Madlen Danova, Prof. Christian Laes, lecturer in classical languages and ancient history and culture at the University of Manchester and chairman of Euroclassica, Assoc. Prof. Tsvetan Vasilev, Head of the Department of Classical Philology at the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology at the University of Sofia, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Municipality of Sofia, participants, members of the Association for the Development of University Classical Education (ADUCE), and guests.
The organizers of the scientific forum on the Bulgarian side are representatives of the Department of Classical Philology at the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology at Sofia University, as well as ADUCE, the Bulgarian member of Euroclassica. The series of events was being held with the support of the Scientific Research Fund of Sofia University (project 80-10-190/2025, led by Assoc. Prof. Nevena Panova, PhD), project SUMMIT BG-RRP-2.004-0008, and the Municipality of Plovdiv.
Dimitar Dragnev, a doctoral student in the Department of Classical Philology, delivered a greeting on behalf of the conference organizing team. He also moderated the event.
The attendees were greeted by Prof. Madlen Danova, who welcomed everyone on her own behalf and on behalf of the Rector of University of Sofia, Prof. Georgi Valchev. She drew attention to the exceptional importance of the forum for the contemporary positions of philology as a whole and expressed her satisfaction that Alma Mater was hosting it.
Dr. Simeon Hinkovski also offered greetings on behalf of the dean's office of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology. Kristiyan Madzhurov, advisor to the Minister of Education and Science, and Dr. Ivan Petrov, representative of ADUCE and chairman of the association's board of directors at the time of its admission as a member of Euroclassica, also took the stage in the auditorium.
Mr. Madzhurov greeted the participants in the forum and outlined some current trends and initiatives for expanding classical education in Bulgaria, especially at the high school level.
Dr. Petrov, excited about the upcoming collegial meeting, briefly presented the 20-year history of ADUCE, an association that strives to bring together specialists, researchers, and young colleagues with interests in various branches of the science of Antiquity. The organizers also presented a special video message from the doyen of Bulgarian classical philology, Assoc. Prof. Anna Nikolova.
The scientific forum was attended by prominent figures in the field of classical education with worldwide renown. Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson from the University of Durham, UK, presented the activities of CERES (Center for Classical Education Research and Engagements), whose main manager she is. Professor Guido Milanese from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan spoke about the Eulalia project, which aims to establish reference frameworks for knowledge of Latin language and the application of game-based methodologies.
Prof. Luigi Miraglia, principal of Accademia Vivarium Novum in Italy, gave a speech in Latin and presented examples of the connection between school and university in more recent times. Prof. Stephen Hunt, who teaches classical language teaching methodology at Cambridge, moderated a discussion between representatives of the member states of the international association, which aimed to gather different ideas for the development of classical education in Europe.
After the Euroclassica General Assembly, at which the Bulgarian delegate was Dr. Marta Metodieva, honorary lecturer in Latin at Sofia University, two extremely valuable discussions took place between Bulgarian classical philologists, classical language teachers in various fields of education, as well as between classical language students and young scholars trained in classical languages in Bulgaria, who are now continuing their education at the University of Sofia and different European universities.
In the spirit of the classical community, the events at the Rectorate ended in the Aula on August 20 with a concert of classical music conducted by Prof. Neva Krysteva and featuring Collegium Lapis Lazuli and a student ensemble from the French Language Lyceum "Alphonse de Lamartine" in Sofia.
The participants visited the most important cultural monuments of ancient Serdica, as well as the National Archaeological Museum, where they were welcomed by alumni of the Department of Classical Philology, now collaborators of NAIM.
On August 21, 2025, foreign delegates from Euroclassica visited Plovdiv and participated in a discussion with representatives of educational institutions and the Plovdiv community on the relationship between philological knowledge and the preservation of cultural heritage.
