The activities of the University this summer began in the municipality of Malko Tarnovo. The one-week stay in this municipality gave the teachers, doctoral students and students from UniBIT the opportunity to touch some of the secrets of the magical Strandzha mountain. Charged by the enthusiasm of the mayor of the city of Malko Tarnovo, Mr. Iliyan Yanchev, the group from UniBIT successively visited Petrova Niva, Mishkova Niva, as well as the villages of Brashlyan, Stoilovo, Slivarovo, Indipasha and the cave – sanctuary of St. Marina.
The scientists from UniBIT held useful meetings with Senior Inspector Dimitar Kokalarov, Head of the GPU - Malko Tarnovo and with a team of border police officers - specialists in various areas in the fight against border violators. Part of the training was related to a demonstration of the use of service guide dogs in the activities of border guards.
Active activities of the students took place in the Historical Museum of the city of Malkoto Tarnovo, named after one of the most famous Bulgarian scientists, Prof. Alexander Fol.
In this museum, the participants of the International Southeast Summer University, under the leadership of Assoc. Diana Stoyanova, Assoc. Ralitsa Yotova, Assoc. Steliana Yordanova and assistant Stoyan Boyanov, with the active participation of the director and curators of the museum, classified historical materials and digitized part of its documentary funds.
The next “stop“ of the ambitious young people was the village of Voden, Bolyarovo municipality. The group was welcomed by the young mayor of this village, Ms. Stoyanka Chakarova.
She addressed them with kind words, as if they were her old friends, because during last year's fires, the teachers and students were in the place of the great fiery inferno. There, in the area of “Malkoto Kale“, through the work of students and teachers, it continued to reveal its ancient culture, traditions and human stories.
Time flies quickly and the archaeological summer near the village of Voden passes imperceptibly. This year, the main focus of the fieldwork was directed at eliminating the damage from last year's fires that affected the site. However, archaeologists are once again enjoying the results – The “Small Kale“, classified as a category “A“ site, does not disappoint expectations: imported and table ceramics, which provide valuable information about the lifestyle and culture of the inhabitants of these lands.
“The Kale always gives us something. Next summer we will enter the southern part, next to the chapel, where we also expect interesting finds. We have already applied for funding to conduct a comprehensive study of the site. If we receive the funds, I hope to continue our work with the same team of colleagues“, shared archaeologist Yavor Rusev from RIM – Yambol during the closing conference in the hall of the National Center “Vazrazhdane“ in the town of Bolyarovo.
The joint work with the students from UniBIT, who not only demonstrate knowledge, but also improve their skills in real field conditions, is particularly impressive. “These girls and boys show attitude, dedication and interest. For them, this is an exceptional chance to learn not only with their eyes and hands, but also with their hearts“, added Dr. Stefan Bakardzhiev, director of the Regional History Museum in the town of Yambol.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diana Stoyanova – long-time Project Manager expressed gratitude to the Municipality of Bolyarovo, which for another year provides support for archaeological activities: “I would like to especially thank the municipality leadership and all residents - they accept us as their own children, open their homes and hearts.“
In the crowded hall, archaeologists, professors, doctoral candidates and students presented important discoveries from recent years.
“We never know what the terrain will yield, that's the magic of archaeology“, said Dr. Stefan Bakardzhiev with a smile. He expressed gratitude to the students for their professional attitude and good teamwork.
An interesting highlight in the presentations was the cultural identity of the village of Voden, whose appearance was influenced by settlers from White Sea Thrace. “The speech, customs, even holidays - are distinguished by their local specificity, but this is only a supplement to the rich palette of ethno-religious elements and features of the culture in this region. This is very valuable for our students“, explained Assoc. Prof. Stoyanova.
The event was also attended by the Mayor of Bolyarovo Municipality, Mr. Hristo Hristov, who congratulated the students for their dedication and enthusiasm, as well as the Mayor of the neighboring municipality of Elhovo - Mr. Petar Gendov, where the students will be visiting in the coming days.
On their last day of their stay in Bolyarovo Municipality, the lecturers and students visited the border village of Kraynovo. The warmth shown to them by the mayor of this village, Mrs. Angelina Vasileva, will leave a lasting impression in the souls and hearts of young people.
As has already become clear, the next stop for the young scientists, doctoral candidates and students from UniBIT is the municipality of Elhovo. There, they have already held a fruitful discussion with the mayor of the municipality, Mr. Petar Gendov, after which they got acquainted with the cultural heritage preserved in the remarkable Ethnographic and Archaeological Museum.
The group from UniBIT will visit the border villages of Melnitsa and Granitovo, where they will hold meetings with their mayors, Messrs. Stefan Peev and Hristo Gechev, and will study the local folklore traditions and customs. A visit to the area “Drastata“ is also planned. in the land of the village of Lesovo.
The visit of the young scientists to the municipality of Topolovgrad is expected with interest, where, after a meeting with the mayor of the city, Mr. Bojin Bozhinov, and the local cultural community on July 21, 2025, field work will be conducted with a focus on the topic of "Camel farming - traditions and traces in history" and work in the city's Historical Museum, headed by the enthusiastic historian and ethnographer - Mr. Veselin Kalvachev.
The last stage of the work of this year's edition of the International Southeast Summer University will be held in the city of Svilengrad. In this Municipal Center of one of the world's largest border crossing points, young scientists will get acquainted with the practical activities of the border police and customs officers from the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing point, protecting the Bulgarian and European Union borders, through the demonstration events of the border police officers - Commissioner Marin Ivanov, Head of the Border Police Station - Svilengrad and Inspector Dr. Iliyan Georgchev. The beneficial cooperation between UniBIT and the Directorate General "Border Police" at the Ministry of Internal Affairs is due to the signed Memorandum of Cooperation and the far-sighted policy of the Border Police leadership in the person of its director - Chief Commissioner Dr. Anton Zlatanov and the academic leadership of UniBIT in the person of its rector Prof. Irena Peteva and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees – Prof. Stoyan Denchev.
At the end of the visit to the Municipality, the UniBIT group will visit the local community center &ndquo;Prosveta-1870“ and will have a meeting with the successful mayor of the city – arch. Anastas Karchev, with whom they will discuss the prospects for continued cooperation between UniBIT and the Municipality of Svilengrad.