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NIEW IDEAS ABOUT THE FACTOR IN SHIPPING AND THE NECESSITY OF ESTABLISHING AN ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MARITIME VAPTZAROV PRIZE

(On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov’s birthday (7.12.1909 - 23.7.1942) patron of the Naval Academy, Varna) ILIYA PETROV PEEV Prof. Doctor of Psychological Science

n the 7th of December, 2014, we will celebrate the 105th anniver- Osary of the birth of the patron of Naval Academy, Varna, – the poet – Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov, who his classmates, teachers and command- ers called The Seafarer and called them- selves Vaptzarov’s and have Vaptzarov’s faith in their souls while sailing in World ocean. Every Bulgarian seafarer, graduate of Naval Academy “Nikola Vaptzarov” knows the emblematic Vaptzarov’s poem „FAITH”:

For Life there is nothing I would not dare. I would fly a prototype plane in the sky, сп. Българска Наука брой 73 Наука сп. Българска

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climb into a roaring Iliya Peev was issued 5 years ago, ISBN: rocket, exploring 9789544494506. alone in space distant planets.

Maybe you wish you could erase my faith my faith in happy days, my faith that tomorrow life will be finer, life will be wiser? Also 5 years ago the United Nations Edu- cational, Scientific and Cultural Organi- Pray, how will you smash it? zation (UNESCO) announced year 2009 With bullets? as Year of Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov, the No! That is useless! world-famous poet and winner of the In- Stop! It’s not worth it! ternational Peace Award in 1953. My faith has strong armour in my sturdy breast and bullets able to shatter my faith do not exist, do not exist!

Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov was born on the 7th of December, 1909 in the town of . He entered in 1926 the oldest technical school in Bulgaria – the Ma- chine School for the Navy, established in 1881 – motivated by his love of the te- chincs and the sea, and complying with the will of his father, Yonko Vaptsarov. For 6 years – until 1932, Nikola Vapt- The Monograph Nikola Yonkov Vapt- sarov had been learning the theoretical

сп. Българска Наука брой 73 Наука сп. Българска zarov – The Seafarer written by professor

184 http://nauka.bg ВОЕННО ДЕЛО basis of the seamanship and had been of July, 1942 at the garrison military fir- mastering the ships machines and sys- ing ground, . tems during the sea practice at naval and Ten years later, Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov merchant ships. was given the highest national and inter- Due to his natural poetical talent and his national acknowledgment! In 1952 The big love of the literature, inherited from World Peace Council awarded to him the his mother Elena Vaptsarova, Nikola top honours – The International Peace Vaptsarov had quickly gained the love of Prize, which was handed to his mother in his classmates, commanders and teach- 1953 on a ceremony of many thousands, ers, who had been supporting the devel- participated by poets and writers from opment of his poetical gift. dozens of countries. Nikola Vaptsarov fall in love with the Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov’s publications sea and the machines, and he dedicates has being translated into over 64 lan- to them his first literary works – poems, guages in 92 countries and are being read essays, travel notes and stories. During all over the continents of the Earth. his education in Machine School for the Training ships, cargo vessels, schools, Navy he wrote over 150 literary works, community centres and theatres are be- which assign him a place among the most ing named after Nikola Vaptsarov. Doz- famous marine authors in the world. As ens of memorials are being erected in his recognition of his talent as a marine poet, honour and streets and squares are being his classmates started affectionately call- named after his name. ing him The Mariner, which shows the In honour of the great poet Mariner Nikola best his charming seaman’s character Vaptsarov a peak in Antarctica is named and his gift of an eminent talented young after his name - Vaptsarov Peak (410m, person. coordinates 62°37′15″S, 59°54′25″W) - Nikola Vaptsarov’s literary works are not the peak is located in Tangra Mountains, only a zenith of the world poetry about eastern Livingston Island in South Shet- the sea and the seaman’s life. Nikola land Islands [Decree of the President of Vaptsarov brings something new in the Republic of Bulgaria No 243/6th of July, world literature – he relates the human 2004, Official Gazette, issue 64/23rd of soul with the sea and the machines! July, 2004]. Nikola Vaptsarov as a person and a poet Especially popular among the seamen is remarkable for bravery and militant are his works about the sea and the spirit, he struggles against the social in- ships, about the seaman’s life: the essay justice, and he fights with words and “The Sea”, the essay “Memories about deed for the freedom of his country and the mine-layers”, impressions from the his nation. Same as many Bulgarian and steamboat “Burgas” (, on the world poets and writers, fighters for free- open sea, Mitilin (Lesbos) – Safo island, dom and independence, he is being sen- Marmaris island, Black Sea), the travel tenced from the authorities for his ad- notes “A key of Suez” and “For people vanced ideas. He is being shot on the 23rd too sensitive - no entrance”, the poems сп. Българска Наука брой 73 Наука сп. Българска

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“Fisherman’s life”, “In the ship dormito- First: In order to mark the historical ry”, “Thirst”, “March of the 26th alumni of role of the Manila Amendments to the Machine School”, “Seamen” etc. We can STCW, The Secretary-General of Inter- estimate as a bright and exceptionally national Maritime Organization (IMO) courageous literary work his speech, held Mr. Koji Sekimizu announced 25th of on his graduation from Machine School June as an International day of the Sea- in 1932. farer. The main purpose of the celebra- The nautical technical education Nikola tion The International day of the Seafarer Vaptsarov had and his deep knowledge in is to increase the prestige of the maritime literature make him an innovator in the profession and to give respect to the mar- world poetry; he succeeded to grasp the itime labour. And there are grounds for rhythm of the new days, of the machines, that – over 90% of all freights are being of the technical progress. Vaptsarov be- shipped thanks to the mariners. came a herald of new romantic – related The Manila Amendments to the STCW in with the achievements of the technics 2010 aim to improve the safety in ship- and the technologies. ping and to raise the role of the human The combination of indisputable poetic factor. talent, deep literary knowledge and elite To accomplish these strategic goals in technical education obtained from the shipping new ideas in training maritime Machine School in the first half of the crews are needed and some of them are XX th century, which the world defined as being presented in this article. a century of the scientific and technical Second: From 19th until the 21st of Sep- progress and a century of the informa- tember, 2009 in Admiral Makarov State tion society, are that synergetic mix Maritime Academy, St. Petersburg was which allowed Vaptsarov to realize the held The 10th jubilee assembly of the In- strength and the future of the machines, ternational Association of Maritime Uni- to spiritualize the machines and to relate versities (IAMU). the human spirit with the machine spirit, The assembly sets noteworthy aims – to and from there to perceive the new stage develop and maintain high standards in in the development of the human society! the maritime education, to provide the This work of art and discovery of Nikola shipping industry with trained specialists Vaptsarov is a new height in the world on international level and to contribute to poetry and a new loop in the spiral of the safety in shipping. During the assembly knowledge! for the representatives of the maritime With 2010 Manila Amendments to the administrations and the shipping indus- STCW Convention a series of remarkable try was held an International Forum – events happened in the water transport Round-table with topic: “The maritime and the maritime education all over the personnel: quality, quantity and career world, which testify about the new way development. Creating an united edu- of thinking and the new vision about cational space for training seamen as an the safety in shipping: answer to the globalization processes of сп. Българска Наука брой 73 Наука сп. Българска

186 http://nauka.bg ВОЕННО ДЕЛО the XX th century”. standard shipping: problems and ways of The 10th jubilee assembly will contribute solving them through cooperation”. to the successful accomplishment of the The basic idea of this conception lies in main International Association of the understanding that all accidents ulti- Maritime Universities IAMU tasks: mately could be overcome! - Creating and maintaining high stand- Overcoming the accidents through im- ards for the maritime education in the plementing knowledge of safety relates world; to awareness and knowledge of survival - Solving problems from the cadets and as well, i.e. carrying out actions about students’ practical training at the train- preservation the human life at sea and ing, merchant and military ships; limiting the damages from the accidents, - Providing the world shipping industry as well as managing the risk and crisis, with trained specialists on international which lies as a base for work without ac- level; cidents. - Contributing to safe shipping from eco- The XII International Seminar, orga- logical, technical and humanitarian point nized by the Russian Maritime Register of view. of Shipping with topic: “Quality shipping: Third: In conformity with its main aims XXI century standards. Safety and Ma- and priorities IMO developed new con- rine Environment Protection - Prospects ception about the safety in shipping, We Face”, which took place in St. Peters- based on new understanding of the safety burg on 21st – 22nd of October 2009 was at sea. This substantially new outlook has dedicated to fulfillment of these aims. a number of aspects: political, geographi- Fourth: On the 11th of March, 2009, The cal, geopolitical, scientific, technical and European Parliament adopted the “Eri- technological, social, psychological, val- ka III” package, aimed at regulating the ues aspect, moral, spiritual, economical, navigation in European waters, consisted personnel aspect, legal, etc. of 8 regulations and directives. They are The new conception about safety at sea engendered by the fact, that the interna- is based on substantially new principles: tional and national shipping experiences - Deep maritime knowledge; deficiency of trained maritime special- - Good maritime practice; ists, which is connected with the nega- - Maintaining the ship clean and in good tive tendencies in the global and national working order; economies. - Accuracy and high professionalism; The main strategic aim of the package is - Good communication; to improve safety of navigating in Euro- - Psycho-physical resistance and endur- pean waters and prevent disasters such ance of the crew. as the Erika and Prestige shipwrecks. The new conception in safety at sea was Adopting this package is huge victory discussed in particular in year 2000 dur- of The European Parliament and for the ing the 3rd international seminar from world shipping. the series of seminars with topic: “Sub- These three remarkable events were fore- сп. Българска Наука брой 73 Наука сп. Българска

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gone by adopting two fundamental docu- petency and management knowledge of ments by The European Union about in- the maritime personnel. creasing the role of maritime safety: A positive role about solving this chal- - On the 10th of October, 2007 The Eu- lenging task for the maritime education ropean Commission adopted The Blue of the XXI century, besides the science, Book - a document presenting An Inte- will play the literature, the poetry, the grated Maritime Policy for the European music and the art. Union and accompanied by a detailed The poetry of the marine poet Nikola Action Plan. On the 14th of December, Yonkov Vaptsarov will contribute to de- 2007 The European Union approved The veloping new spirituality and new pro- Integrated Maritime Policy and The Ac- fessional knowledge of the seamen from tion Plan; all the countries. - On the 7th of June, 2006, The Com- Nikola Vaptsarov related the sea and the mission of the European Communities machines with the human soul in an ar- adopted The Green Paper “Towards tistic way and gave the machines spirit- the future Maritime Policy for the Union: ual essence. This is particularly impor- The European vision for the oceans and tant to lay the stress on, because for ages seas”. and ages the scientific, technical and ar- The aim of these strategic documents is: tistic intellectuals had been considering - Increasing the competitive power of the the problem “Human-Machine” too nar- maritime industry; row-minded, without seeing it as a so- - Remaining at the top of the knowledge, cial problem, as a relationship between science and technology; Human and Human, as a Spiritual - Developing the European maritime problem! abilities and broaden the full maritime The Sea requires spiritual powers! employment; Developing new knowledge in safety is - Increasing the role of the human factor possible only if developing new set of in the shipping. personal values in the seamen and the The listed remarkable events and the ship crews! new challenges in the shipping are focus- The complex world of the seamen, pilots ing at the end at the human factor in and cosmonauts persistently requires in- the seafaring. volving not only the engineers, construc- XXI century requires new vision about tors, designers, technologists, doctors training maritime management person- and psychologists, but the writers, poets, nel with higher education. Besides the tra- play-writers, painters, artists, and com- ditional leaning on mind, consciousness, posers as well. discipline, responsibility and intelligence The massive scientific, technological and of the maritime specialists, the attention psychological intensity, accumulated in is also drawn towards developing a new XX century, gave new stimulus in the hu- set of personal values, new spirituality, man civilisation development at the be- high emotional intelligence, social com- ginning of the XXI century, which start- сп. Българска Наука брой 73 Наука сп. Българска

188 http://nauka.bg ВОЕННО ДЕЛО ed with elaborating new, more complex and spiritual intelligence. moral and psychological problems for This is a unique contribution of Nikola the seamen, pilots and cosmonauts. Vaptsarov to the world literature, which In the first decade of XXI century the ought to be fully evaluated, popularized science reached the psychological bases and implemented in the educative activi- of the spirituality and the knowledge in ties in the maritime universities! safety of the Flying Man (Home Volans), the Cosmic Man (Homo cosmicus, Homo Cosmodromo), the Man sea-farer (Sea- man), the Man amphibian (Homo aquat- icus), the Man under-water – aquanaut (Merman). Nikola Vaptsarov is among the first poets in the world, who glorified and spiritual- ised the machines. With his literary work in the first half of XX century he connect- ed spiritually the humans, the sea and the machines, he gave the machine – Soul. Thus Vaptsarov using artistic methods Considering all these circumstances, got more than a half century ahead of remarkable events, motives and argu- that, which the modern explorers of the ments, it is expedient The International XXI century developed using scientific Maritime Organization of the United Na- methods – The theory of the spirituality tions Organization to establish an an- of the professionals with dangerous pro- nual individual and team Vaptsarov fessions (pilots, seamen, cosmonauts) Maritime Prize, which to be granted and revealed the nature of the Soul of the to lecturers from the maritime universi- pilot, seaman and the cosmonaut, dis- ties about great success in training the covered the substance of the emotional maritime commanders with higher edu- сп. Българска Наука брой 73 Наука сп. Българска

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cation – the world leaders of the seas and oceans in XXI century! The Vaptsarov Maritime Prize to consist of diploma, medal (pendant, stat- ue) and financial premium. While evaluating the work of the nomi- nated candidates from the maritime universities, to lay stress on their con- tribution to forming the spirituality and developing the personal values of the maritime specialists and their spiritual relation with the sea and the machines! Professor doctor of psychological The status of theVaptsarov Maritime sciences engineer Iliya Peev, Prize, the regulation about bestowing captain naval reserve officer the prize, choosing members for the jury, e-mail: [email protected] the amount of the financial premium to GSM: 0898/359 647 be specified additionally. Tel: ++359 52 757 472 сп. Българска Наука брой 73 Наука сп. Българска

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