On 28th September 2026, in the Central Foyer of the Rectorate of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, the exhibition “The Black Sea in European Cartography”, curated and organized by the Diplomatic Institute under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was officially presented. In the presence of diplomats, university lecturers, researchers, partners of the Diplomatic Institute, as well as the newly appointed trainee-attachés at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who are from the Institute’s 20th graduation class, the directors of the University Library and the Diplomatic Institute opened the exhibition.
Assoc. Prof. Bilyana Yavrukova expressed that it was an honor for the University Library to co-organize this exhibition, dedicated to the 23rd anniversary of the Diplomatic Institute’s founding. In her speech, the Director of the University Library stated: “The unique opportunity to enjoy an exhibition that has travelled to the world’s most prominent institutions, in one of Sofia University’s most iconic venues, is a source of pride and inspiration for both researchers and students at Sofia University.”
In her speech, Ms Tanya Mihaylova – Director of the Diplomatic Institute – shared the story behind the exhibition, which was created as part of the Diplomatic Institute’s long-running cartographic project, ‘The Sea Brings All That Is Far Closer’. Ms Tanya Mihaylova highlighted the contribution and work of Svetlozar Kovachev (1958–2025), a long-serving employee of the Diplomatic Institute and the exhibition’s conceptual creator and curator, and emphasized the role of Kiril Zhelyazkov as the project’s initiator.
Sharing Svetlozar Kovachev’s passion for cartography, Dr Atanas Orachev from the ‘Black Sea Strandzha’ Association summarized Bulgaria’s presence on European maps and supported his statement that it is through the Black Sea that Europe became acquainted with Bulgaria.
At the end of the ceremony, Ms Tanya Mihaylova presented the University Library with one of the maps that Svetlozar Kovachev had donated to the Diplomatic Institute. It was printed in Venice in 1599 and is accompanied by a certificate.
Assoc. Prof. Yavrukova expressed her gratitude for the donation and assured that the antique map would be added to the country’s most extensive collection of rare and valuable foreign-language scientific publications. According to her, this collection was compiled through donations from lecturers, students and friends of Sofia University; it is stored under appropriate conditions to ensure its preservation for future generations and is accessible for research purposes.
The Chair of the State Agency ‘Archives’, Assoc. Prof. Mihail Gruev, spoke about the long-standing collaboration between the institution he oversees and the Diplomatic Institute, and expressed his gratitude to the benefactors who, through their generosity, have ensured that valuable artefacts and documents have become part of the Bulgarian state’s cultural heritage. He mentioned Dr Simeon Simov, a bulgarian emigrant in Germany, who committed all his savings to purchasing a priceless collection, and shared memories of his collaboration with Svetlozar Kovachev.
The co-organisers encouraged the guests at the opening and future visitors to explore the exhibition, which will remain on display in the Central Foyer of the Rectorate until 2nd October 2026.
