"LECTURES ON WHEELS": THE STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURE AT VFU "CHERNORIZETS HRABER" ENRICHED THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF BULGARIAN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
11 October 2023
Fourth-year students majoring in Architecture at Varna Free University took part in the traditional educational expedition called "Lectures on Wheels". The field trips are part of the programme in the discipline History of Bulgarian Architecture, which give students the opportunity to get to know the architectural tradition of our country by visiting various architectural monuments on site.
The fourth-year students had the opportunity to get to know the most used construction materials, approaches and techniques characteristic of the Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. Under the guidance of the key lecturer Assoc. Prof. Arch. Zhechka Ilieva, PhD they observed and studied the ways of building the "Kamchiya house" in the settlements of Zheravna, Medven, Ichera and Katunishte. During their visit to the Kotel, the students got to know the the Bulgarian national revival houses, visited museums and the Pantheon of the people from the Bulgarian national revival, where architecture intertwines with other arts in a unique synthesis.
The students had the opportunity to explore old Christian churches such as the Church of the Assumption - a vivid representative of Bulgarian Revival church architecture in the old Varosha district of the town of Targovishte. They also got to know Ottoman architecture when visiting the almost 300-year-old Tombul Mosque in Shumen.
During the field visits, the graduates of Varna Free University were tasked with sketching various architectural details.
"Lectures on Wheels programme is not only a method of training, but also a way to educate the future architects of the country. It helps students to connect with the history and culture of Bulgaria through its architectural wealth and inspires the next generation of professionals to respect and continue the traditions in Bulgarian architecture," said Assoc. Prof. Ilieva. According to the students, their teacher managed to convey her expertise and passion for Bulgarian architectural history and inspired them to discover, understand and appreciate the country's wealth in the field of architecture.
