A solemn ceremony to mark 139 years from the establishment of the oldest technical school in Bulgaria, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, took place on 9 January 2020.

On this day the Naval Academy celebrates its history, created by generations of Bulgarian seafarers who dedicated their lives to service to the Motherland and to love of the sea. History, written by the noble and highly responsible labour of the alumni of the Naval Academy, turning it into Bulgaria’s flagship of maritime military and civilian education.

In the course of time the Naval Academy established itself as a prestigious university, with achievements in response to new contemporary challenges.

Among the official guests of the ceremony were: Lieutenant General (ret.) Atanas Zapryanov – Deputy Minister for Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Kosta Bazitov – Deputy Mayor of Varna Municipality, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov – Commander of the Bulgarian Navy, Prof. Daniela Todorova – Rector of Todor Kableshkov University of Transport, managers and representatives of institutes, companies and organisations related to the maritime business and industry, former and current students of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy.

The ceremony was opened with a welcoming speech by the Rector of the Naval Academy – Flotilla Admiral Prof. Boyan Mednikarov. Congratulatory addresses were received by Mr Rumen Radev – President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Krasimir Karakachanov – Minister for Defence, General Andrey Botsev – Chief of Defence, and many others.

On the occasion of the holiday, to pay homage and gratitude, flowers were laid in front of the bas-reliefs of distinguished lecturers of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy.

The celebrations also included the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the Maritime Astronomical Observatory at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy and Student Dormitory Building 14.