On 26th of February 2025 in the lobby of the Central University Library took place the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the legacy of Acad. Mikhail Arnaudov – books with autographs and gift inscriptions from the collection of the Regional Library “Lyuben Karavelov” – Ruse and University Library “St. Kliment Ohridski”, archival documents and valuable objects provided by the University Archives and the Museum of Sofia University.
The exhibition was opened by Prof. Reneta Bojankova – Deputy Rector of Sofia University, Assoc. Prof. Bilyana Yavrukova – Director of the University Library, Mrs. Teodora Evtimova – Director of the Regional Library “Lyuben Karavelov” – Ruse and Dr. Ilonka Koleva – Head of the University Archives Department. The ceremony was attended by Mrs. Iskra Arnaudova, daughter-in-law of Acad. Arnaudov, representatives of the organizers and guests.
The Regional Library “Lyuben Karavelov” – Ruse keeps the personal library of Acad. Mikhail Arnaudov, separated in a separate collection of over 7000 items in more than 25 languages. The collection of over 1500 autographs reveals the relationship of Akad. Arnaudov with prominent personalities who lived and worked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Central University Library exhibits some of these autographs, including those of P. К. Yavorov, Ivan Vazov, Pencho Slaveykov, Elisaveta Bagryana, Dora Gabe, Yana Yazova, Alexander Burmov, Alexander Balabanov, Boyan Penev, Lyubomir Miletich and other Bulgarian writers, scholars and researchers.
From the University Library collection are presented the first editions of the history of Sofia University and some of the publications of Acad. Arnaudov in the field of literary science – folklore and Renaissance literature. The materials accompanying the exhibition focus on his activities as the Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in the period 1935-1936 and his contribution to raising the international prestige of the first Bulgarian university.
Especially for the exhibition, the University Archives provided the General Book of the Students of the Faculty of History and Philology, in which in 1896 under No. 51 was recorded the student Mikhail Arnaudov, the minutes of a meeting of the Academic Council from the time of the rector’s term of Acad. Arnaudov, two of his reviews of the works of Prof. К. Galabov and Prof. Todor Borov, postcards and letters. In the central showcases can be seen the rector’s necklace from 1934 and other exhibits kept in the museum of the Alma Mater.
Visitors can view the exhibition until the end of April 2025.
