Scientists from around the world gathered in the Aula to become part of the XXII International congress on Byzantine studies "Byzantium without borders".
The congress is organized by the Association of Byzantinists and Medievists in Bulgaria, patronized by the President Georgi Parvanov. Some of the official representatives at the opening were Assoc. Prof. Maria Shishinyova, Vice-Rector of Sofia University, Mrs. Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia, Mr Sergey Ignatov, Education, Youth and Science Minister. The international committee members are: Peter Schreiner, Evangelos Chrysos, Michel Kaplan, Axinia Dzhurova, Vassil Gjuzelev, Elizabeth Jeffreys, Constantinos Pitsakis, Sergei Karpov.
The official opening started with music from the Byzantium time, as well as Slavic and Bulgarian traditional folklore music. Mr Parvanov noted in his address the role and the importance of the millenia-lasting Empire which formed the culture in Europe and accented on the place of Bulgaria in this process. Mrs. Fandakova reminded that this year is the 1700 anniversary from issuing the Edict of Toleration in Sofia - Serdica. An address was sent by the Minister of Culture, Mr. Vezhdi Rashidov.
The congress comprises:
- 7 plenary sessions;
- 30 round tables;
- 30 thematic sections.