Issue 88 Fall 2019 NEWSLETTER Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange

Invisible to the Eye, But Felt Strongly by the Heart Media Literacy Matters Art by the Strategies for Strengthening Democracy The Fulbright Newsletter is a biannual magazine published by the Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange (Fulbright) in print and electronically. Opinions expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily represent those of the Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the material in this publication, the Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange does not accept liability for any errors or omissions.

BULGARIAN-AMERICAN COMMISSION FULBRIGHT BULGARIA STAFF FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Angela Rodel Executive Director Krassimir Valchev US MEMBERS: [email protected] Minister of Education and Science Mathew Hagengruber

Honorary Co-Chairperson Treasurer, Attaché Anastassia Miteva

for Educational and Financial Officer [email protected] Herro Mustafa Cultural Affairs US Ambassador to Bulgaria US Embassy Tanya Petrova Honorary Co-Chairperson Accountant/Cashier Sarah Perrine [email protected] BULGARIAN MEMBERS: Executive Director Trust for Social Achievement Maria Kostova Karina Angelieva Program Officer, Bulgarian Grantees Deputy Minister of Education Drake Weisert [email protected] Counselor for Public Affairs Iliana Dimitrova Georg Georgiev US Embassy Program Officer, ETA Program Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs [email protected] Jeffery Warner Radostina Chaprazova Evaluation Officer Rada Kaneva Executive Director Trust for Social Achievement Program Officer, U.S. Grantees Arete Youth Foundation [email protected] Dr. Richard T. Ewing, Jr. Snejana Teneva Dr. Julia Stefanova President Educational Advisor Former Executive Director American College of [email protected] of the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission Lyra Konstantinova Dr. Tzvetomir Todorov Administrative Secretary Chair, Managing Director [email protected] Bulgarian American Management Company Adrian Zlatanov Test Center Manager/IT Support [email protected]

Cover photo: Fulbright|America for Bulgaria ETA in Vidin Jonah Blumenthal with one of his paintings

Fulbright Bulgaria thanks its sponsors for their support: FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONTENTS

Media literacy was the focus of many of Fulbright Bulgaria’s activities in Fall 2019 – and with good reason. Although concerns about media freedom and the spread of fake news have been rising FEATURE: The 2019 Fulbright globally, the situation in International Seminar Bulgaria is especially acute. 02 Reporters Without Borders’ 2018 World Press Freedom Index ranks Bulgaria 111th out of 180 countries, the lowest ranking for an EU member-state. To help improve the Bulgarian media landscape and educate consumers, Fulbright Bulgaria has partnered with many other organizations to offer media literacy education to students and teachers alike and to encourage young to explore careers in media. FEATURE: Teaching Kids Cool Media 04 Skills in the Hot Summer Months In July, Fulbright co-organized Bulgaria’s first Media Bootcamp for 20 high school students with local and international journalists. COMMISSION NEWS In September, we hosted a Fulbright International Seminar for 06 The Fulbright TEA Program students and faculty from across Europe and the US to discuss “Strategies for Strengthening Democracy” – of course, the COMMISSION NEWS media’s critical role featured prominently in these conversations. 08 Media Literacy Seminar In November, we were honored to host 70+ Fulbright ETAs from Southeastern Europe for the second year in a row. Representatives COMMISSION NEWS of Newseum, the Central European University and leading 10 100 Days in Bulgaria Bulgarian NGOs shared engaging ways for ETAs to introduce media literacy themes into their English classes. FOCUS ON US ALUMNUS 12 Jonah Blumenthal Thank you to all our partners and supporters who helped make these seminars so successful! We look forward to continuing our media FOCUS ON BG ALUMNA literacy work with both our American and Bulgarian Fulbrighters. 14 Nellie Gipson

Best, ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020 Angela 18 BG and US Grantees

PARTNER IN FOCUS 22 Varna Naval Academy Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange VISITING HOURS: ACCESS TO JUSTICE: The First Monday – Friday, 02:00 – 04:00 p.m. 24 Legal Incubator in Bulgaria 12 Vitosha Blvd, 5th floor, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel: +359 2 981 85 67 I Fax: +359 2 988 45 17 FULBRIGHT ALUMNI [email protected] I www.fulbright.bg 26 ACHIEVEMENTS Opening of the 2019 Fulbright International Seminar on Strengthening Democracy The 2019 Fulbright International Seminar: “Strategies for Strengthening Democracy”

by Maria Kostova

“Strategies for Strengthening Democracy: 30 Years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall” was the topic of the Fulbright International Seminar that took place in Sofia, Sept. 24-30, 2019. It was sponsored by the State Department (ECA) and organized by the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission, with the support of the US Embassy in Bulgaria.

We hosted a stellar group of lecturers representatives of the civil society and diplomats and outstanding, and the religious denominations motivated seminar participants from discussed the issues of “captured/ the following countries: the US, facade” democracy, judicial reform, Bulgaria, the UK, Ukraine, , informational security, social cohesion Lecture by Dr. Victor Andrusiv, , , Canada, the and empathy. Brainstorming, learning Ukrainian Institute for the Future and . Academics, and exchanging ideas, the participants policy makers, political scientists and formed a comprehensive view of the

2 FEATURE FALL 2019

current challenges and solutions, facing democratic development of the region 30 years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall.

The opening day placed the post- communist transition into historical perspective with keynote speakers Dr. Damian Valdez (Cambridge University) and Prof. Evgeniy Dainov (NBU). Their outline of the historical tensions, underlying the appearance and decline of communist ideology set the stage for the discussion to follow. Their theoretical presentations were counterpointed by a walking tour highlighting the traces of socialism FIS participants in Plovdiv - 2019 EU Capital of Culture lingering in Sofia. Over the next five days, participants engaged in intense discussions with panels of experts on topics ranging from façade democracy, disinformation, empathy, and social cohesion to justice; they also developed their own policy ideas in hands-on workshops that addressed themes including “The Future of Democracy,” “Manipulation of Public Opinion,” “Fund-Raising for Charities” and “Social Inclusion and Community Building.” There was time in the program for exploration as well, as the group took a day-trip to the 2019 cultural capital of the EU, Plovdiv and attended lectures devoted to the situation of the Brainstorming during the FIS workshop sessions Bulgarian Orthodox Church during communism and to current Orthodox communities’ revival through charity activities and pilgrimage.

A major highlight of the seminar was a brief address and open Q&A session with prominent US diplomat John Beyrle, who shared memories of his service as ambassador to Bulgaria and Russia and emphasized the importance of consistency on the path of democracy. The graduation ceremony on Sept 29 was a celebration not only of newly acquired knowledge, but also of newly formed friendships and academic collaborations. We would like to thank all lecturers, participants, Project presentations for the FIS participants and supporters for their commitment!

3 SPRING 2019 COMMISSION NEWS

Media Camp participants with lecturer Robin Brinkworth (back row, middle)

From June 30 to July 7, 2019, Teaching Kids the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission, the Association of European Journalists- Cool Media Bulgaria (AEJ), and the American University in Skills in the Hot Bulgaria (AUBG) organized a “media bootcamp” for high school students. The goal Summer Months: was to educate students to be smart media consumers Bulgaria’s First Media Bootcamp and to equip them with professional journalistic and for High School Students digital skills. The project was generously funded by a grant from the US Embassy by Iliana Dimitrova in Bulgaria and supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation (ABF).

The week-long camp was the culmination of a year of intensive Fulbright-AEJ media literacy activities that included media training of Fulbright ETAs and the development of media literacy materials for the classroom and for school clubs. The camp served as a reward for the best student-journalists who had US Ambassador Eric Rubin and AUBG Interim President David Evans contributed throughout the year to the newly launched nationwide

4 FEATURE FALL 2019

platform for youth journalism, sCool Media, funded by the ABF. The camp generated strong interest, attracting more than 75 applicants; twenty high school students from 13 cities around the country were selected to attend the bootcamp on the AUBG campus.

H.E. Ambassador Eric Rubin gave an opening speech at the event, together with AUBG’s president, Dr. David Evans. Nancy Schiller, president of the America for Bulgaria Foundation also visited the camp. The program also featured Campers with Ambassador Rubin and CAO Matt Hagengruber three international speakers: Simon Adler, Radiolab producer; BBC News YouTube Editor Marko Zoric; and Robin Brinkworth, from the UK’s The Student View. Along with more than a dozen Bulgarian journalists and media experts, they spoke about debunking disinformation online and helped students brainstorm and refine their own original media project ideas. Participants split into teams, and using AUBG’s state-of- the-art cameras and media labs and the lecturers’ expert guidance, they developed articles, interviews, video reports, and a podcast. At the final project presentations judges Irina Nedeva, AEJ President and Senior Producer at Bulgarian National Teams brainstorming for their original media projects Radio; Kalin Dimtchev, Country Manager Bulgaria, Microsoft; and Mario Grachenov, a Public Relations Specialist at the US Embassy awarded prizes for the most impressive projects, which included investigative video reports about underage drinking and unknown cultural heritage sites, as well as interviews with local residents about their opinion about the news.

The positive response from the local media and the participants themselves was so overwhelming that we plan to offer a second camp in the future. Fulbright Bulgaria would like to thank all of our Award winners with judges Kalin Dimtchev, Microsoft; Mario Grachenov, partners who made this incredible US Embassy; and Irina Nedeva, BNR. initiative possible!

5 FALL 2019 COMMISSION NEWS

Bulgarian Teachers Explore Best Practices in Media Literacy Education: The Fulbright TEA Program

by Maria Kostova

Here is what Suzan Farhadova, who now is putting her experience to good use as an expert in the Ruse Regional Department of Education, has to share:

“I would like to thank the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission for the chance to participate in the FTEA Spring Cohort. In those six weeks, we learned a lot about American culture and the educational system. Thanks to the Kent State University team and our professors there, we learned Mariya Stoyanova and Elina Ivanova at Kent State University with the FTEA cohort about new teaching methodologies, ICT implementation in education, as well as media literacy and In 2019-20 four Bulgarian high-school teachers took part in the critical thinking skills. We were Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Media Literacy able to develop and demonstrate Program for the first time. The awards are administered by ECA/ technological, general academic IREX with the support of the US Embassy in Bulgaria and the and media literacy projects, while Fulbright Commission. Mariya Stoyanova from Academic Lyudmil I had the chance to present my media literacy project at the End of Stoyanov Foreign Language School – , Elina Ivanova Program Workshop in Washington from 119 Academic Mihail Arnaudov Secondary School – Sofia, Elitsa D.C. The topic of my presentation Bileva from Georgi Izmirliev Secondary School – , was ‘Media Literacy and Critical and Suzan Ferhadova from Vasil Levski High School – Ruse visited Thinking: Fundamental Skills.’ Kent State University for a six-week training. The program brought international secondary-level teachers from around the world to “The TEA Program was full of the United States to take academic seminars, observe, share their challenges, joys and experiences. We have built long-lasting expertise, and develop action plans to promote media literacy and friendships with our partner- critical thinking skills in their home schools, and communities. teachers, colleagues and school All participants have begun enthusiastically applying their newly teams. I had field experience with acquired knowledge in their home institutions. an American partner-teacher at

6 COMMISSION NEWS FALL 2019

Streetsboro High School, where I Fulbright TEA Program, I am conducted observations, Bulgarian convinced that Media Literacy and cultural presentations and Media Critical Thinking should be taught As a whole, I believe Literacy Teaching lessons. This was as independent subjects at school, that my participation an enriching experience for me and as they are fundamental skills. Our I feel fortunate to have had the children should be literate on how in the FTEA Media chance to work with such an amazing to be safe online, how to counter Literacy Program school team, full of enthusiasm and misinformation, fake news, bias, was a life-changing professionalism. differentiate types of media, and be experience.’’ effective citizens. “We visited beautiful places such as an Amish school and community, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Columbus, New York, Washington, but of course, Kent is my favorite place – due to the Kent State team, the professors who cared about us, taught us with patience and support, and became our KSU family. We also had the chance to become a family at Kent and meet our host families there.

“Despite the global emergency situation, I had a smooth trip home in mid-March. Now, returning to my home country, my family and my work at the Regional Department of Education, I feel inspired. I have already taken some steps towards implementing what I have learned: I started with creating events on teacher platforms, such as eTwinning, where we share education technologies, as I think in these difficult times Bulgarian Suzan Ferhadova at a Fulbright-IREX event teachers are struggling in their use of online classroom technologies. In addition, I have planned a collaboration with my foreign language expert colleagues from other Regional Departments to organize teacher trainings on the topics of Education Technologies and Media Literacy Courses. I also help teacher colleagues with distance learning, when they have questions or need support.

“My second implementation plan is more challenging. If I have the opportunity, I would like to participate and assist in the development of school education Elitsa Bilieva and Suzan Ferhadova at their Fulbright BG Pre-Departure Orientation policies. After taking part in the

7 FALL 2019 COMMISSION NEWS Teaching Media Literacy in the Classroom: Fulbright ETAs Learn the “Tricks” of the Trade

by Iliana Dimitrova

The second annual ETA seminar on Media Literacy hosted by On the day of their arrival, all the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission took place on Nov 7-10, ETAs were welcomed by HE 2019, in Sofia. The seminar gathered more than 80 Fulbright Herro Mustafa, the newly arrived ambassador of the United States to English Teaching Assistants from South Eastern Europe and Bulgaria, who hosted a reception Malta, all eager to learn more about how to help their students in her residence. The event was an be better media consumers, discuss current events, share opportunity for the guests to mingle best ESL practices, and learn more about each other and their with Bulgarian colleagues and meet representatives of the Bulgarian varying ETA placements. NGO sector, the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, and journalists. They were greeted with short speeches by HE Ambassaor Mustafa, America for Bulgaria Foundation President Nancy Schiller, and Denitsa Sacheva, Deputy Minister of Education and Science.

Over the two days of the seminar, ETAs participated in various media- or ESL-themed lectures and workshops. Dean Starkman, a lecturer at the Central European University and senior editor at Martin Dimitrov, Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, delivered some startling data and shared his concerns about the future in a keynote speech titled “Structural Challenges to Public Interest Journalism.” Barbara McCormack, Vice President of Education at Newseum, delivered workshops on teaching media literacy and responding to misleading media. The workshops were packed with activities aimed at identifying and responding to fake news, which could easily be applied in Barbara McCormack, Vice President of Education at Newseum the context of a high school or university classroom.

8 COMMISSION NEWS FALL 2019

Dr. Russell Frank, US Fulbright Scholar Seminar participants learning how to make media at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki literacy fun

Bulgarian horo class with Petur Iliev Dean Starkman, Central European University

In addition to methodology and media, Fulbright Party and Talent Show, support for this event. We would the seminar delved into another which saw many of the participants also like to thank our fellow Fulbright important theme – diversity and and guests take the stage to perform Commissions and US Embassies in inclusion. The discussion was led by musical numbers and stand-up comedy, the region who “lent” us their ETAs Courtney Moffett-Bateau, Diversity sometimes on a last-minute whim! for the weekend. We look forward Liaison, and Susanne Hamscha, to continuing the important work Diversity Coordinator with the European The Bulgarian Fulbright Commission of improving media literacy and Fulbright Diversity Initiative. After all would like to thank the State countering disinformation in South this hard work, the two-day seminar Department’s Bureau of Education Eastern Europe through future joint concluded with a hugely successful and Cultural Affairs for their generous initiatives!

Conference participants enjoying a 360 view of Sofia

9 SPRING 2019 FOCUS BG US GRANTEE

The 2019 Fulbright Choir and Orchestra performs classic folk tunes for the crowd

Fulbrighters Share Research Finds, Teaching Tips and Talent at a Memorable Mid-Year Meeting

by Iliana Dimitrova

On January 16-18, 2020, the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission conducted its annual midyear conference for US grantees, “100 Days in Bulgaria.” Fulbright scholars and students had 15 minutes to briefly introduce their projects in diverse fields such as genetics, philosophy, archaeology, anthropology, water management, and music (flute and piano). We again enjoyed an “ETA Film Festival” featuring 32 two-minute videos about the ETAs’ life and work in Bulgaria, played one after another under dimmed lights for a true cinematic experience!

Enjoying the ETA Film Festival English Language Fellow Scott Farmer,

10 COMMISSION NEWS FALL 2019

The conference weekend offered professional development training for the young assistant-teachers, as well as a team-building event for the scholars and student- researchers at Sofia Bread House. English Language Fellow Scott Farmer, based in Sliven, led interactive and entertaining workshops for the ETAs on lesson planning and diversifying lesson content, while Regional English Language Officer Kevin McCaughey taught ETAs how to make the best use of their Activate Games packets – a collection of teaching materials provided by the Bureau of ED Angela Rodel and Commission Board Chair Tzvetomir Todorov Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The midyear conference was honored by a strong group of representatives of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, which has been the main sponsor of the program for English teaching assistants in Bulgaria since 2010, including Gail Buyske, Board member; Nancy Schiller, President; Desislava Taliokova, Executive Director; Natalia Miteva, Program Director, Developing and Retaining Human Capital, and others. The Fulbright Commission would like to thank the ABF team for their support of the ETA program and other Fulbright initiatives.

The highpoint of the weekend was Regional English Language Officer Kevin McCaughey, Belgrade the Fulbright Talent Show, which featured over 20 performances by Bulgarian and American Fulbrighters and alumni, as well as board and family members. From classical music, rap, poetry recitals, lip sync battle and performances on piano, flute, ukulele, tambura and kaval – our Fulbrighters displayed many talents and our supportive audience enjoyed all of them. The evening of celebration also collected some donations in support of the Alumni Top-Up Fellowship, which will help fund the travel of one Bulgarian grantee to the U.S. Congratulations to all our grantees on their successful work US Students and Scholars making bread at the Sofia Breadhouse this past semester!

11 FALL 2019 FOCUS ON US ALUMNUS

In ten years I hope that I am doing something that I love, surrounded Art by the Danube by people that I love ( and who ideally love me too). I by Iliana Dimitrova hope that I am able to help people in a profound way.

In this interview we would like to introduce Jonah Blumenthal, Jonah, how would you describe an English Teaching Assistant at the “Tsar Simeon Veliki” yourself? Secondary School in Vidin, in AY 2018-2019. Jonah came to I would say that I am a curious person. Bulgaria with a lot of international experience under his belt, I really love learning and I really love to passion for the visual arts, and commitment to service. This fall be creative. I seek out new and exciting he is continuing his education at Harvard Medical School. opportunities when I have the chance to. I would say that I am someone who enjoys both the arts and sciences and I really strive to find balance in my life between the two disciplines. I love to create and this manifests itself in many of my hobbies including: photography, painting, playing the violin, and kaval, knitting and gardening!

Before coming to Bulgaria to teach English by the Danube, you had traveled quite extensively. Which are the places in the world closest to your heart, and what would you say is unique about Bulgaria compared to other countries you have visited?

Bulgaria certainly holds a special place in my heart. I love experiencing new things and so I think I am generally drawn to places with cultural elements vastly different from my own. This is part of what I love about Bulgaria! A new alphabet was quite the challenge! Outside of Bulgaria I have really enjoyed my time in China, and in Kenya. Two very different places with very different cultures. I think in reflecting on what these places have in common with Bulgaria is that ultimately I am drawn to getting to know people. My fond memories are in large part based on how intimately I was able to get to know a land, its people, and grow to understand (to the best of my ability) their experiences. I cherish these places where I was able to make sincere friendships.

12 FOCUS ON US ALUMNUS FALL 2019

You are a person with a multitude I would be at Harvard Medical School my passion for the visual arts as well. of talents and interests – would you without this past year. I really have no idea what specialty like to share with our wider audience I will go into, but I hope that I am what skills, in addition to teaching, What lies ahead for you? In an ideal serving, and advocating for those did you teach and learn while on your world, where would you like to be in populations who have traditionally Fulbright? 10 years’ time? been excluded or denied access to healthcare whether in the United While in Bulgaria I also got to teach In ten years I hope that I am doing States or abroad. photography. This is one of my something that I love, surrounded by personal passions and it was an people that I love ( and who ideally Here you can see some of the photos absolute joy to be able to impart that love me too). I hope that I am able to and paintings created by Jonah during on some of my wonderful students. help people in a profound way. In an his stay in Bulgaria: While in Bulgaria I made it a point to ideal world I would be able to maintain www.jonahblumenthalart.com learn film photography, and further develop my own painting skills. I also learned how to knit and how to play the kaval. Bulgaria was a wonderful opportunity to not only teach but to learn!

You recently moved to Boston to pursue your dream of becoming a physician at the Harvard Medical School – what did it take for you to be where you’re at in your life right now?

This is a great question. Getting to Harvard was a long journey and there were and continue to be so many important people who helped me to get here. I really credit my parents, high school teachers, and my college friends and mentors for helping me to develop as a person. They supported me when I needed it and pushed me when they knew I could take it. I am here because of them. Specifically while in college I volunteered as a nighttime homeless outreach worker. I spent hundreds of hours working alongside and helping people who were previously or currently experiencing homelessness. Selfishly I don’t think I could have spent this time in any better way. I grew so much and really developed as a person from those nights. I met some very important people who really mentored me while I was an undergraduate. I also want to recognize that having the privilege of being on a Fulbright certainly helped! There is no way that

13 Invisible to the Eye, But Felt Strongly in the Heart: Education Is Work-in-Progress for Life!

An Interview with Fulbright Alumna Nellie Gencheva Gipson, a Continuing Believer and Supporter of Arts and Education by Angela Rodel

Nellie Gencheva Gipson was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and is an arts and management professional now living in New York. As a Fulbright grantee in 1994-96, she earned a master’s degree in arts administration for museum and galleries at NYU. She and her husband, Bob Gipson, are committed supporters of many educational and cultural organizations in the US and in Nellie’s native Bulgaria through their Tianaderrah charitable foundation.

Nellie, you are a true “living bridge” It’s impossible to pick out a particular I arrived in New York City with my between Bulgarian and American thing or moment that “sparked” my parents, who at that time were posted cultures – what first sparked your interest in the US, my first introduction to work for the Commercial Section interest in the US? to American culture was at the age of the Bulgarian mission to UN. I am of 13, when In the summer of 1973, forever grateful to my parents that

14 FOCUS ON BG ALUMNA FALL 2019

they made a decision to enroll me in period of the Cold War between is that as an English-language guide a local public school, Wagner Junior the East and the West. It took me I conducted many tours for different High School, for a full three years. As more than a year and a half before groups of visitors of the diplomatic one might imagine, for an adolescent I could find a job. Having lived and embassies in Sofia, this is how I girl coming from a country “behind studied in the United States was first met representatives of the US the iron curtain” and enrolling into a looked upon as importing “capitalist Embassy. In my capacity of a museum public school in New York City, there propaganda,” not a welcoming professional who spoke English and were so many new and different factor at that time. However, with having lived in America, I had to work wonderful, yet complicated and the help of good friends and sincere closely with the cultural section of the challenging experiences, that made intentions eventually I began working US embassy for an exhibition which in a profound impact and memories as a museum guide at the then newly 1988 was presented under a bilateral on my life. One significant example opened Ludmila Zhivkova National relationship between Bulgaria and from that time is how the school Foreign Art Gallery, now Square 500. the USA. That exhibition was color embraced students of different I liked my work as a guide then, lithographs from the Tamarind Art background and culture. Wagner because it gave me a chance to be Institute of Albuquerque, New Mexico. JHS provided tutoring in English for again in “my temple” – the museum. It was a very successful mutual event students like me, who didn’t speak There were many visiting school for the Gallery and its public. That the language, with volunteer teachers. groups and individual visitors, and work contact I made with the USIS I am truly grateful to Wagner for its also I was in constant contact with section of the embassy later had a way of treating students, regardless of foreign visitors. Being an English- professional impact on my desire where they came from or who their language guide, work was always to pursue museum studies. In the parents were. The important factor interesting, intriguing and a life of autumn of 1989, I attended a month- was education. In general anything discovery. I enjoyed my role as a long program for museum specialist that I’ve experienced while living “host” at the museum, interpreting in the USA. It was organized by the in New York City at that period was the art, applying my knowledge about USIA, and together with a group uniquely new and educational. That it by interacting with the visitors of of other museum professionals of personal relationship I developed all ages and all different places. In eight different countries, we traveled with NYC continued later in my life, the process of showing the artworks through several major American cities when in 1979 I had another chance and the exhibits, as a Bulgarian to see museums and galleries and to return to the United States and presenting them in English it made meet with the American colleagues, to attend Hunter college getting my me feel like I was connecting different talk and exchange views and opinions undergraduate degree in Art History, cultures. During my work there, I – it was a fascinating and stimulating where almost all of the art classes was exposed to many visitors of the international exchange program. The were held in front of masterpieces entire sector of the society. The fact times were exciting – I was in Phoenix, in the city’s museums. This is the time when I became enchanted by the museums of New York and in particular the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was the beginning of a spiritual “love affair” – the museums were my temples. I consider that encounter truly fortunate.

How were you able to put your experience with US museum studies to good use upon your return to Bulgaria?

Upon returning to Bulgaria in 1983, the transition was really challenging at that time. I couldn’t just immediately An Indonesian dancer teaches Bulgarian students a traditional dance go out, present my US BA diploma (Photo Credit: Krassimir Krustev) and apply for a job. This was the

15 FALL 2019 FOCUS ON BG ALUMNA

Arizona, when together with that International Gallery of Art in Sofia, tragedy in the family can have an group we watched the fall of the Berlin where I used to work. Such programs impact in numerous ways. My first Wall on CNN. It was unbelievable what did not exist then in Bulgaria – the husband died unexpectedly. My we watched on the screen! teachers used to bring children only private and professional life were to look at the exhibition and leave, no subjected to significant change. I was You began working in the Bulgarian interaction, whatsoever! faced with chaos and a mountain of museum sector during the socialist unpredictability! At moments like period. How did Bulgarian museums Today thankfully it is very different that, life continues and who knows differ then from what you had seen in – for example, I have heard about what inspires or influences one’s the US? museums in Russe and Plovdiv decision and actions? that have very strong interactive That’s a very complicated question. educational programs. This is the time I dared to entertain Times and history were different of the idea of applying for a Fulbright the Bulgarian society. Most visits to How did you learn about the scholarship. I had to resign from museums or national memorials, Fulbright program? my job at the embassy because of homes of prominent artists or the conflict of interest. I applied to writers, and national heroes’ homes, That’s also a long personal story. The NYU’s museum and galleries arts at the time when I was a student first time I met a Fulbright fellow was administration master’s program. in elementary and middle school in actually a Bulgarian in NYC when I was For the Fulbright program, my Bulgaria were organized by schools. a student at Hunter. That Fulbrighter application essay presented a vision Growing up in Bulgaria I naturally was Prof. Pavlina Dokovska, who was of establishing a cultural institution visited a lot of those memorial then a student of piano at Juilliard. in Bulgaria based on the model of “house-museums.” The difference is We became good friends. Later when the NEA (National Endowment for that during that time, these museums I was working at the cultural section the Arts), which would support the did not have interactive programs, of the US Embassy in Sofia in the visual arts and adopt best practices so-called “hands on” or anything that early 1990s, truly historic times, I met from the museum tradition of the involved the children – students were many US Fulbright fellows coming US. In the summer of 1994, my expected to simply look and listen. to Bulgaria. That was also the time daughter Milla and I arrived in NYC It was a passive and honestly boring when the Fulbright Commission was to start my academic program. It was experience sometimes, especially for beginning to be established in Sofia. another life-testing period – a time young visitors. My involvement with that process of stimulating hard work and building as well as many other work-related new memories! While living in the United States, assignments was fascinating, another I witnessed in person interactive enjoyable, learning experience because During the summer of my first year educational programs in art museums. it was a very positive and optimistic as a Fulbrighter, I had a chance to do It is amazing how interesting and time of building relationships and an internship with the Open Society educational a single work of art, to strengthening understanding between Institute in NYC. I continued working say nothing of a whole collection, the two cultures. I was truly convinced later there and implemented my could be, even for the youngest that in my work duties, I was a living NYU thesis as a pilot project. It was audiences – that inspired me to bridge between Bulgaria and the US presented to Open Society Institute- continue my museum education and – it is something invisible to the eyes Sofia and the Soros Center for go further into it. What impressed but I felt it so strongly in my heart, and Contemporary Arts (SCCA), and the me most about US museums back continue to feel that way today! It’s program TransArt or “Transcending then were the interactive educational impossible to separate one’s private Borders through Art” in Bulgaria began programs for children of all ages. That life from professional engagements – at the National Gallery for Foreign is why I decided that my research look how we are learning to do that Art in Sofia. Based on that project, at NYU would be dedicated to today in these complicated times of a true three-way partnership was ways of implementing educational COVID-19. formed: between the Sixth Elementary programs in Bulgarian museums. School Graf Ignatiev, SCCA, and the More specifically, comparing the While working at the Embassy, National Art Gallery for Foreign Art. two different personal experiences during this stimulating time of social The program was very new and - in Bulgarian museums and change, I was also a young mother captivating, a real precedent for that American ones, I aimed to design and a wife. Work and family life are time. It involved a series of student an art education program for the always so intertwined. A sudden visits to the exhibition halls, talks with

16 FOCUS ON BG ALUMNA FALL 2019

Students in the TransArt workshop Participants create their own artworks inspired by the (Photo Credit: Krassimir Krustev) exhibit (Photo Credit: Krassimir Krustev)

the artists in front of the art objects, met and worked with Professor I continue my interest in museums and afterwards students creating their Vassil Nikolov. We became very good and art both in Bulgaria and own art work for an exhibition. friends and now through the support the US. For more than 15 years of the Tianaderrah foundation we I have been a volunteer at the This project was very successful. It continue to be involved with another Metropolitan Museum of Art. I’m was presented in other countries project under his leadership – the also professionally involved with the which were part of the OSI network. Neolithic site Solnicite (saltworks) Institute of the Study of the Ancient TransArt was adapted according to in Provadia. Another long-standing World (ISAW), which is affiliated with the museums in these countries. We partnership is with Michael Tachev, NYU. And I’m a trustee on the board will need more time if I’m to describe the executive director of SS Cyril and of the Fenimore Art Museum in the process of this implementation - Methodius foundation. We established Cooperstown, NY. maybe in a second interview! scholarships for high school students who want to continue their education What was the greatest impact of In New York City, it seems you also at Bulgarian universities. Michael and your Fulbright experience? found a life partner who shares your his team have been excellent partners passion for education! in running that project for more than I’m so grateful to The Fulbright 15 years now! Bob and I enjoy so much Program. It is a life-changing factor. Yes, as I said earlier, life is life – the meeting with the students who receive It helped me fulfill my dreams about private goes along hand-in-hand with these scholarships when we visit Sofia. making a difference for museums in the professional. I met my future Bulgaria. I consider education to be husband Bob Gipson and at the Another educational institution very one of the strongest components of time when we got married in 2001, dear to our hearts is the American a person’s character, the Fulbright he had already founded the family College of Sofia! It has its own special experience helped me focus on that Tianaderrah Foundation, dedicated history for many Bulgarians and – education is a work-in-progress to education, history preservation Americans! It is the oldest American for life, it keeps the spirit young! I and conservation. It was natural for educational institution in Bulgaria, hope I have passed that on to my me to embrace and get involved with established in the 1860s. Another life daughter and now to keep it going to the family foundation and for Bob to story that deserves its own time and my grandsons. I am looking forward fall in love with Bulgaria. Through the place for interview, perhaps. currently to future work with Fulbright, foundation and personal friendships, I’m a trustee on the board of ACS. I supporting Bulgarian students! Thank we became very much involved with stay in touch with many alumni who you for your interview. educational and cultural projects in come to the US to study, as well as the country. One of the foundation’s with alumni who work and live in first involvement in Bulgaria was Sofia. Bob and I have welcomed many providing a donation to acquire secure of them to our home in the States. Fulbright Bulgaria thanks Robert museum cases for displaying precious and Nellie Gipson for their generous ancient artifacts at the Archeological Are you still actively involved in support of the first annual Fulbright Museum in Sofia. At that time we museum education? Alumni Scholarship!

17 Bulgarian Fulbright Grantees Academic Year 2019-2020

GRADUATE STUDENTS VISITING SCHOLARS Miroslava Nedyalkova – Chemistry Denitsa Vidolova Hristomir Yordanov – Telecommunications Home Institution: Sofia University Columbia University, Teachers Host institution: University of College – MA International and Home Institution: Technical Maryland—Baltimore, MD Comparative Education University Project Title: Application of the Host Institution: University of Drude Polarisable Force Field to Stela Gavrilova California—Berkeley Green Organics Solvent - Ecotoxicology Project Title: High Gain Integrated and Environmental Safety Cornell - Johnson School, One Year Millimeter Wave and Terahertz MBA Antennas Elena Stoykova – Optics

Stoimen Iliev Mira Arsova-Tzvetkova – Special Home Institution: Bulgarian Academy Education of Sciences Cornell - Johnson School, One Year Host Institution: University of Dayton, MBA Home Institution: Sofia University OH Host Institution: CUNY-Hunter Project Title: Computer Generation Rumen Cholakov College, New York of Holograms for Holographic Imaging Project Title: Development of Social and Coherent Optical Metrology Columbia University, Columbia Law Skills and Social Competences, and School, Master of Laws (LL.M) Managing Challenging Behaviors CIVIL SOCIETY RESEARCHERS in Students with Autism Spectrum Olga Ouzunova Disorders (ASD) through Different Venelin Stoychev – Social Work Educational Strategies, Approaches Fordham University – MA in Public and Therapies Home Institution: LARGO Association Media Host Institution:Kansas Appleseed Mihail Todorov – Mathematics Center for Law and Justice VISITING RESEARCHERS Project Title: A FRIEND IN NEED IS Home Institution: Technical A FRIEND INDEED (Best Practices in Atanas Pekanov – Economics University, Sofia Conducting Advocacy Campaigns) Host Institution:San Diego State Home Institution: Austrian Institute University, CA Yana Buhrer Tavanier – Civil of Economic Research Project Title: Soliton Dynamics Society Development Host Institution: Harvard University, of Nonlinear Integrable and Department of Economics Nonintegrable Systems Home Institution:Bulgarian Helsinki Project Title: Evaluation and Committee / Fine Acts Effectiveness of Fiscal Policy at the Velislava Petrova – Cultural Host Institution: Macro Level Studies Amnesty International USA, New York City Home Institution: Sofia University Project Title: Human Right Host Institution: University of Innovation in the Context of California, Santa Cruz, CA Shrinking Civil Space Project Title: Materialities of Dirt and Economies of Waste. Bringing Different Cultural Perspectives Together

18 U.S. Fulbright Grantees Academic Year 2019-2020

HUBERT HUMPHREY Dr. Boyko Gyurov Abby Durick FELLOWSHIPS Field of Specialization: Mathematics Field of Specialization: Archaeology Georgia Gwinnett Funerary Prestige: Verginiya Mincheva-Rousseva – Home Institution: Project Title: College, Lawrenceville, GA Migration and Influences from Law and Human Rights Host Institution in Bulgaria: South- Mycenaean Greece to Iron Age Thrace West University, Blagoevgrad Host Institution in Bulgaria: Balkan Home Institution: Sofia City Court, Heritage Foundation, Sofia Judge Dr. Naomi Martisius Host Institution: American University, Danielle Nutting Archaeology Ognyan Georgiev – Urban and Field of Specialization: University of Music (Flute) Regional Planning Home Institution: Field of Specialization: California, Davis, CA Project Title: Exploring Artistry: Host Institution in Bulgaria: New Epistemologies of Flute Performance Home Institution: Capital Weekly, Bulgarian University, Sofia and Pedagogy in Bulgaria Managing Editor Host Institution in Bulgaria:Union of Host Institution: Massachusetts Bulgarian Composers, Sofia Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Dr. Mariofanna Milanova MA Field of Specialization: Information Ashley Page Sciences SCHOLARS Home Institution: University of Field of Specialization: Water Arkansas, Little Rock, AR Management Dr. Victor Busov Host Institution in Bulgaria: Technical Project Title: Dynamic Hydro-Social University, Sofia Analysis of Sustainable Transboundary Field of Specialization: Genetics Frederick Rooney Water Policy in Bulgaria-Greece Home Institution:Michigan Host Institution in Bulgaria: Technological University, Houghton, Field of Specialization: Law American University in Bulgaria, MI Home Institution: Consortium for Blagoevgrad Host Institution in Bulgaria: Access to Justice, Soquel, CA Lorenzo Rodriguez University of Forestry, Sofia Host Institution in Bulgaria: Equal Opportunities Association, Sofia Field of Specialization: Anthropology Dr. Benjamin Goldberg Project Title: Health Care in Bulgaria GRADUATE STUDENTS Host Institution in Bulgaria: Pink Field of Specialization: Philosophy Foundation, Sofia Home Institution:University of South Theodore Charles Florida, Tampa, FL John Thomas Host Institution in Bulgaria: Anthropology American University in Bulgaria, Field of Specialization: Crossing Borders; The Field of Specialization: Music (Piano) Blagoevgrad Project Title: Evolution of Food Traditions in Post- Project Title: Music without Borders: Ottoman Thrace Bulgaria and America in Melody, Host Institution in Bulgaria: New Harmony and Rhythm Bulgarian University, Sofia Host Institution in Bulgaria: Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts, Plovdiv

19 U.S. Fulbright Grantees Academic Year 2019-2020

ENGLISH TEACHING Tiana Brownen Danielle Harris ASSISTANTS Field of Specialization: Field of Specialization: History, Social Communication, English Science, Education Samaah Al-Najjar Project Title: Teaching English as a Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Sofia, Bulgaria Foreign Language, Burgas, Bulgaria Field of Specialization: Political Science, Anthropology Alexandra Carey Sara Huzar Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Sofia, Bulgaria Field of Specialization: Elementary Field of Specialization: History and and Special Education Global Affairs Azlin Armstrong Project Title: Teaching English as a Project Title: Teaching English as Foreign Language, Sofia, Bulgaria a Foreign Language, Dimitrovgrad, Field of Specialization: English, Bulgaria Advertising, Broadcasting Alessandro Cocito-Monoc Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Kyustendil, Bulgaria Nicholas Iwata Field of Specialization: Government and Legal Studies Biology, Caroline Arnold Field of Specialization: Project Title: Teaching English as a Philosophy Foreign Language, Montana, Bulgaria Project Title: Teaching English as a Field of Specialization: Sociology, Foreign Language, Dobrich, Bulgaria French Jordan Cynewski Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Sofia, Bulgaria Samantha Johnson Field of Specialization: Government, Russian, History Amna Azeem Field of Specialization: Project Title: Teaching English as a Environmental Science, Spanish, Foreign Language, Burgas, Bulgaria Political Science Field of Specialization: Philosophy, Teaching English as a Politics, Economics Project Title: Katelyn Egan Foreign Language, Smolyan, Bulgaria Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Ruse, Bulgaria Bassoon Katherine Beaver Field of Specialization: Nia Kapitanova Performance Project Title: Teaching English as a Field of Specialization: Spanish, Field of Specialization: History, Foreign Language, Panagyurishte, Chemistry Education Bulgaria Project Title: Teaching English as a Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Plovdiv, Bulgaria Foreign Language, Kardzhali, Bulgaria Emilie Ehrman Andrew Kim Public Casey Brinegar Field of Specialization: Relations Field of Specialization: Mathematics, Project Title: Teaching English as a History Field of Specialization: Leisure, Sport, Foreign Language, Yambol, Bulgaria Teaching English as Tourism Studies Project Title: a Foreign Language, Stara Zagora, Project Title: Teaching English as a Bulgaria Foreign Language, Varna, Bulgaria Aidan Flanagan

Field of Specialization: Biomedical Sciences Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Gabrovo, Bulgaria

20 U.S. Fulbright Grantees Academic Year 2019-2020

Lukas Koester Krysta Scriven NOMINEES FOR THE AY 2021-22 Field of Specialization: Film and Field of Specialization: Professional FULBRIGHT COMPETITION Media Studies Writing Project Title: Teaching English as a Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Sliven, Bulgaria Foreign Language, Vidin, Bulgaria SCHOLARS:

Gergana Kostadinova Sophie Shoultz Ivan Dimov (BAS) Applied Math Field of Specialization: International Field of Specialization: S & T, Yulia Radanova (UNWE) Studies International Affairs Law Project Title: Teaching English as a Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Pernik, Bulgaria Foreign Language, Varna, Bulgaria Elitsa Pavlova (SU) Biology Mathew Lauer Parker Smythe Iva Boneva (SU) Education Field of Specialization: Cultural Field of Specialization: Criminal Studies, Comparative Literature Justice, Psychology CIVIL SOCIETY: Project Title: Teaching English as a Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Ruse, Bulgaria Foreign Language, Silistra, Bulgaria Mira Todorova DNK Dance Space Sophie Louaillier Eleanor Stern Alternate: Yulia Dimitrova Field of Specialization: Anthropology, Field of Specialization: English, Tuk-Tam Religion Creative Writing Project Title: Teaching English as a Project Title: Teaching English as a GRADUATE STUDENTS: Foreign Language, Pravets, Bulgaria Foreign Language, Razgrad, Bulgaria Dimo Grozdev Olivia Melodia Keegan Scott Law Iglika Atanassova Field of Specialization: Philosophy, Field of Specialization: International Education Hispanic Studies, Theatre Studies, Turkish Project Title: Teaching English as Project Title: Teaching English as a Martina Novakova a Foreign Language, Blagoevgrad, Foreign Language, Galabovo, Bulgaria Theater Bulgaria Dimitar Kirilov Deena Whitwam Computer Science Allison Rice Field of Specialization: Management, Lyubomir Avdjiiski Law Field of Specialization: Biblical and Entrepreneurship Theological Studies, English Project Title: Teaching English as a Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Haskovo, Bulgaria VISITING RESEARCHERS: Foreign Language, , Bulgaria Prudence Salasky Javor Gardev Performing Arts Field of Specialization: Applied Velislava Todorova Linguistics Philosophy Project Title: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Burgas, Bulgaria

21 FALL 2019 PARTNER IN FOCUS The Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna

by Vaptsarov Naval Academy Staff

Majesty’s Fleet was built in Varna. In the Balkan Wars and World War I (1912-1918), graduates of the Training Unit participated in mine laying and minesweeping operations, the attack against the Ottoman cruiser Hamidiye, the assault operations in Balchik, Kavarna and Kaliakra, and the Engagement of Balchik on 13 December 1916. They had the honor of mastering new naval equipment: seaplanes and the first Bulgarian submarine. After the wars, the maritime education system underwent another reorganization. Shipmaster Courses and Fishermen School (oriented towards commercial In this edition of our Partner in Focus section, shipping companies) appeared. In 1942, with a royal decree, the it is our pleasure to present one of the most Maritime School received the status renowned military schools in Bulgaria - an of specialized higher maritime school innovative, reliable and dynamic partner: Nikola and the name His Majesty’s Naval Vaptsarov Naval Academy, based in Varna. School. In the period 1945-1946, the school was called “Naval People’s School to the Maritime Forces,” and from 1946-1949 – “The People’s Naval School.” In 1949, the Naval Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy of the fleet. Serving the need of School adopted as its patron Nikola is the oldest technical educational the recently liberated country for Vaptsarov, a poet and graduate of institution in the Republic of self-defense and self-assertion, the school from the Class of 1926, Bulgaria. Its history, past and present the school offered courses for sub- and took the name N. Y. Vaptsarov achievements make it the most officers, including specializations as People’s Naval School. prestigious center for the training of boatswains, ratings, artillerymen, maritime specialists in the country. miners, and machinist mates. Soon, In 1954, the school moved into An excursion into its history shows another dimension was added to its present facility, and in 1960, it how it changed and adapted to the the Maritime School: it was moved was entered in the registers of the demands and challenges of changing to the seaport town of Varna and International Maritime Organization times. Founded in 1881 in Rousse by the new emphasis on engineering (IMO) to the UN, which recognized the Ministry of War of the Principality was reflected in the name of the its diplomas before all ship owners in of Bulgaria as a Maritime School, it institution. In 1910, the first building the world. In 2001, with a decision of was established to train machinists specially designed for the needs the National Agency for Assessment and technicians for the purposes of the Engineering School to His and Accreditation to the Council of

22 PARTNER IN FOCUS FALL 2019

Ministers, it received full accreditation part in short-term mutual training Director Angela Rodel and Program as a university. programs or conferences with Officer for Bulgarian grantees Maria counterparts from Romania, , Kostova have had the opportunity to Currently, the Naval Academy is the , Greece, Italy, Spain, Slovakia, discuss future short- and long-term home of 3,000 students (110 cadets Netherlands, Norway, United States specialization exchanges in the fields and 2,890 civilians), 247 faculty and Ukraine. Nikola Vaptsarov Naval of cybersecurity and informational and staff (military and civilian). It Academy is also a co-founder of technologies. The Fulbright graduate sets as its mission to develop highly BSAMI (the Black Sea Association of study grants are also of interest qualified leaders for the Bulgarian Maritime Institutions). to the MA students in the civilian Navy and the maritime industry; specializations of maritime logistics to prepare them for the challenges The Fulbright Commission appreciates and IT management. The Commission of the transforming Navy and the the opportunity to present annually keeps the doors open to applicants rapidly changing sector of the global its research and study programs from the Academy and is ready to maritime economy. As the leading for Bulgarian citizens in the US assist in US specialist and scholar institution in maritime training, the to the students and staff of the visits to NVNA. Academy concentrates on: integrated Naval Academy. Thanks to the kind training of midshipmen to receive cooperation of Adm. Prof. D.Sc Boyan We are still at the beginning of our simultaneously bachelor’s degrees in Mednikarov (Rector of the NVNA), common journey, but every visit Military Affairs and in the maritime or Capt. Prof. Nikolay Velikov (Head of to the Varna Naval Academy is a IT professional field; training students International Relations) and Prof. Kiril reminder of the quality and integrity to receive bachelor’s and master’s Tenekedzhiev (a Fulbright alum and of Bulgarian higher education, and an degrees in the fields of maritime faculty at NVNA), Fulbright Executive inspiration for further cooperation. or IT; PhD degrees in accredited doctoral programs; training for raising the qualification level of maritime personnel; performing activities for research and innovation and applied research. In addition to fundamentals in seamanship, navigation, communications, naval weapons and leadership, each summer, midshipmen and students participate in professional training in order to gain experience and be exposed to their possible job opportunities upon graduation in the Navy, the merchant marine and the marine industry. To meet the increasing demand for Fulbright ED Angela Rodel steers the ship with the help of Navy Academy Colleagues security of information flows and technologies related to the use of space systems, recently NVNA started training programs in Information and Communication Technologies and Cybersecurity at bachelor’s and master’s levels in the newly opened professional field of Communication and Computer Engineering.

In terms of international cooperation, NVNA participates in NATO and European Union-funded joint projects with Romanian and Polish Naval Captain Velikov shares tips on navigation with Fulbright Program Officer Academies and the Piri Reis Maritime Maria Kostova University of , Turkey. It takes

23 FALL 2019 ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Access to Justice: The First Legal Incubator in Bulgaria by Rada Kaneva

Bulgaria’s first legal incubator formally launched on Friday, December 6, 2020. The basic concept of the incubator is simple: lawyers who want to serve low-income people often need help getting community-based practices up and running. Incubators provide that help through subsidized office space, resources, trainings and consultations for business and legal skills development.

Fulbright scholar Fred Rooney played “When I found out there were organized by the Open Society a main role in the creation of the incubators for bakeries and graphic Foundation. He met an impressive first incubator of this kind in Bulgaria designers, I asked myself why there group of young Bulgarians seeking (first for Eastern Europe, too!) Fred is were none for lawyers,” said Rooney. ways to advance the legal skills needed called the “father of incubators” by “Worldwide, legal education is to better serve their communities the American Bar Association for his purely theoretical and lacks practical and the Bulgarian people – so Fred work to advance the legal incubator knowledge. At the same time, 80% decided to try to develop his legal movement in the United States. of people in the United States cannot incubator model here in cooperation Through his work, he has helped law afford legal aid, and the situation with the Equal Opportunities Initiative students and early career attorneys in Bulgaria is not much different. Association (EOIA), which became his develop the practical skills to set The model is designed to serve the host institution for his Specialist and up law practices while providing needs of low-income people who are Core Fulbright awards in 2018 and affordable legal services to the in desperate need of legal aid but 2019, respectively. underserved. Through the Fulbright cannot afford it. Legal incubators have Program, Rooney took this idea out helped thousands of people in the Through team work and the support of the US, working with institutions United States in the last 12 years.”He received from a network of lawyers, in the Dominican Republic, Pakistan, first came to Bulgaria for a meeting law students, judges, NGO leaders and and, most recently, Bulgaria. of Roma law students and lawyers, the Bulgarian Fulbright Community, Daniela Mihaylova of EOIA and Fred Rooney were able to craft a proposal for the development of a legal incubator that was accepted and later funded by the Trust for Social Achievement. With joint efforts, a core group of mentors to help train incubator participants were recruited, space in which to house the project has been identified, and additional support from a wide cross section of community leaders was generated. We are very proud of their hard work, and we wish them good luck, courage, Legal Incubator participants and supporters celebrate the launch in Sofia and inspiration as they embark on this challenging new venture!

24 IN MEMORIAM FALL 2019 In Memoriam

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Professor Emeritus Dr. Randall Baker. Professor Baker was a two-time Fulbright Scholar in Bulgaria. He served as chair of the Fulbright Program’s Aegean/Black Sea Region Peer Review Committee for three years and was a member of the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission Board. Professor Baker was a Distinguished Professor at the New Bulgarian University, where he was honored with the Doctor Honoris Causa award. He was also a Professor Emeritus of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, where he was a professor for 22 years. He is the author of 17 books, and over 200 papers. He helped to build universities in Seville, Madrid, the UK, Bolivia, Azerbaijan, Lesotho and Bulgaria. He also worked with the World Bank, UNESCO, UNEP, and has lent his expertise and knowledge to academics and policymakers from all over the world. He advised the government of Bulgaria on its entry into the European Union, served as project planning advisor to It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing the government of Fiji, advisor to the prince of Mecca, and of . Prof. Denev was a Fulbright advisor to Sultanate of Brunei. He was made an Honorary Professor Dr. Iliya Denev Scholar in AY 2015-16 in the field of Plant Pathology and Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, an Honorary was carrying out research in two leading STEM institutions: Professor of Western University in Azerbaijan, and received Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Polytechnic a Distinguished Service Award from NIDA in Thailand in Institute. Prof. Denev was a long-time lecturer and 2002. He was named an Honorary Citizen of Breze, Bulgaria, academic supervisor to young Bulgarian biologists at the and appointed an Honorary British Consul in Rwanda. He Department of Plant Pathology and Molecular Biology in will be dearly missed. Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”. He was a participant of numerous international research groups in the field of Plant Pathology and a frequent leader of projects funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund. He was also a co-director of NATO-Science for Peace program projects, involved in years of collaboration with US universities and research centers.

An active member of the Fulbright community, a dedicated mentor for his students, an invaluable expert in the field of molecular biology, Prof. Denev is remembered for his intellectual generosity, academic involvement and friendly kindness. His loss will be palpable. Farewell, Prof. Denev!

25 FALL 2019 ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

Professional storyteller Priscilla Howe (Fulbright Keana Mirmajlesi (Fulbright|ABF ETA AY2018- Scholar, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, AY 2014- 19 in Varna) had her undergraduate biomedical 2015) recently received the International Story engineering research published this past year in Bridge Oracle Award at the National Storytelling an article titled “Free radical-mediated targeting Summit in Fremont, California. This award and immobilization of coupled payloads” in the recognizes the exemplary work, dedication and Journal of Drug Targeting (https://www.ncbi. spirit of those individuals or groups that promote nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30782037). Keana was a the art of storytelling in their own country or member of the Shreiber Lab as an undergraduate promote the building of bridges between their researcher from May 2015 to June 2018. The country and other countries through the use of article proposes novel methods of targeting storytelling and/or storytelling events. Howe lives therapies by using native free radicals as a in Lawrence, Kansas and travels around the world homing signal, providing promising proof-of- telling stories to listeners of all ages. She tells concept for using free radicals to specifically stories primarily in English, specializing in stories target and sustain nearly endless payloads to for English Language Learners, though she has also disease sites. performed in French and Bulgarian.

Assoc. Prof. Paskal Zhelev (Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, AY 2015-16) from the University of National and World Economy was elected as a member of the Management Committee of the Association of Economic Universities of South and Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region (ASECU). Assoc. Prof. Zhelev also took part in the Top Management program of the Ministry of education and science of the Republic of Kazakhstan and during his stay was elected as Vice- Rector for international affairs and internationalization at the Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University.

26 ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS FALL 2019

During the past 12 months, Dr. Edward A. Friedman (Fulbright Scholar, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, AY 1992-1993; pictured here with Princess Maria Luisa of Bulgaria) has been active as a Board member of the American University in Bulgaria, as well as teaching a course on Dr. David Jenkins (Fulbright Scholar, University Nuclear Energy and Society at Stevens Institute of Plovdiv, AY 1994-1995; of Technology in Hoboken, NJ where he is an University, AY 1997-1998) had a collection Emeritus Professor of Technology Management. of his English translations of contemporary In June, he spoke at a meeting of the MIT Alumni Bulgarian prose published by Plovdiv Association of Northern New Jersey on the topic University Press in 2019. Interim Report of the of Nuclear Energy and Global Warming. Dr. Bulgarian Society for the Diffusion of Useful Friedman was among the first Fulbright awardees Ignorance introduces the wit, wisdom, and in Bulgaria after the changes - in 1992, before weirdness of six contemporary Bulgarian there was a Fulbright Commission in Bulgaria. His writers: Stanislav Stratiev, Radoy Ralin, Emil achievements, hard work, and dedication earned Andreev, Ilko Dimitrov, Ivan Cholakov, and him a special issue of the computer science Vazken Nalbantian. In the spring semester of journal Serdica, which was published in honor of 2020, his 2019 collection of Bulgarian-English his 80th birthday in 2015. http://serdica-comp. translations will be the textbook for an elective math.bas.bg/index.php/serdicajcomputing/ course at Plovdiv University in contemporary issue/view/51 Bulgarian prose in English translation.

27 FALL 2019 ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

Daniel Keifer received a Boren Scholarship in 2019 to study in Kazakhstan. The Boren Fellowship is funding his studies at Nazarbayev University, as an exchange student in Eurasian Studies and Advanced Russian. It is also facilitating the research for his Master’s thesis for Georgetown University, dealing with the history of Kazakhstan’s oil industry and its effects on labor and the development of local economy.

Associate Prof. Valentina Georgieva, Fulbright Visiting Scholar in AY 2016-17 at Texas State University-San Marcos, participated in three international conferences to present some of her academic research in the field of teaching English to military professionals. The first was hosted by the National Defense University in Bucharest Fulbright Visiting ResearcherDr. Angel Igov from where she demonstrated hybrid approaches to Sofia University, who specialized in comparative teaching counter-terrorism and radicalization at literature at the University of California, Berkeley, her home institution Rakovski National Defense AY 2010-11, received the prestigious German College. The second was dedicated to Poland’s literary award “House of the World’s Cultures” for 20th anniversary as a NATO member and was his 2015 novel The Meek. held at Jan Kochalowski University in Kielce. There Prof. Georgieva discussed the topic of The award is presented to foreign novels “Military English Language Capabilities as a translated into German for the first time. Among Requirement for Security Environment.” The third the previous recipients were such renowned conference was organized by NATO’s Bureau for authors as Amos Oz, Mircea Cartarescu and International Language Coordination in Tartu, Mikhail Shishkin. Dr. Angel Igov joined this Estonia, where the focus of Prof. Georgieva’s distinguished group with a novel telling the stories presentation was “Supporting ESP Learning of the of ordinary people from a Sofia neighborhood Military Personnel.” during the years following September 9, 1944.

28 ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS FALL 2019

Elizabeth Bews completed her MA in Eireene Nealand, together with her translation archaeology from Cornell University in December partner Daniela Hurezanu, have published 2018. The title of her thesis is: “After Accession: an excerpt of a translation of Marguerite EU Funding and Archaeological Practice in Duras’ Le Camion in the London Journal Index Bulgaria.” She was also accepted to present a on Censorship. Bulgarian author Blagovesta paper at the Archaeological Institute of America’s Pugyova’s poem in translation, “Octopus,” was annual conference in January 2020, titled “The published in Catamaran’s Spring 2019 issue. Archaeology of Piracy: The Cilician Case” and will Eireene’s own short stories “Unit 29” and be presenting a paper at the SAAs in April 2020 “About Ahab or Something like That” have been titled “An Osteobiography of a Juvenile Individual accepted for publication in upcoming issues of from Papdomb, Transylvania.” Imitation Fruit and Beach Reads: Adrift.

George Miaoulis (US Scholar, VUZF University, AY 2013-2014) co-authored a publication on Netnography as a marketing research tool in the fashion industry in Southeast Europe for the International Journal of Market Research. The article explores the evolving opportunities that online communities present to marketers in collecting consumer insights. It advances Southeast Europe’s marketing researchers’ understanding of netnography by introducing them to its concept, procedures, and implications.

29 12 Vitosha Blvd, 5th floor 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel: +359 2 981 85 67 Fax: +359 2 988 45 17 [email protected] www.fulbright.bg