On May 31, 2025, in Hall 108B at the Confucius Institute of Veliko Tarnovo University, a formal awards ceremony was held to honor the winners of the 15th National Competition “Bulgaria and China – Ancient and Unique Civilizations.” The event coincided with the 4th Festival of East Asian Cultures, turning the day into a vibrant cultural experience that blended art, tradition, and youthful enthusiasm.
This year’s competition attracted over 200 participants from more than 20 locations across the country, including Sofia, Plovdiv, Ruse, Burgas, Montana, Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo, as well as smaller towns and villages such as Belyakovets, Lesnovo, and others. The youngest participants were just five years old, proving that interest in ancient Eastern culture knows no age limits.
The theme of this year’s edition – “A Journey Through the Golden Ages of History: Dynasties, Culture, and Achievements” – inspired young artists to express themselves through drawings, essays, fairy tales, poems, research papers, and presentations. The entries were divided into two main categories and evaluated by a jury of distinguished lecturers and experts, including:
In the “Visual Arts” category:
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Prof. Dr. Plamen Legkostup – Honorary Chairman of the Board of the Confucius Institute;
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Prof. Svetoslav Kosev, PhD – Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at UVT;
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Assoc. Prof. Boris Zhelev – Mural Painting Lecturer.
In the “Literature and Culture” category:
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Assoc. Prof. Polina Tsoncheva, PhD – Dean of the Faculty of Modern Languages, Head of the Department of Classical and Eastern Languages and Cultures at Veliko Tarnovo University, and Lecturer in Chinese Language and Literature;
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Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Marinov, PhD – Lecturer in the Department of Contemporary Bulgarian Language at Veliko Tarnovo University;
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Valentina Kamburova – Lecturer in Journalism.
Nearly 90 awards were presented, and the winning works in the “Visual Arts” category were, as tradition holds, exhibited in the lobby of the Confucius Institute. The exhibition, with its vivid colors and inspiring themes, further enhanced the festive atmosphere of this very special day for lovers of East Asian cultures.