The Dean of the Faculty of Architecture Spoke About the Month of Architecture on Radio Varna of Bulgarian National Radio
15 may 2026
The longtime CNN International anchor Ralitsa Vassileva, lecturers from the University of Georgia, architects from Japan and Georgia, as well as representatives of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria and its chairperson, architect Borislav Vladimirov, will be guests of the “Month of the Faculty of Architecture” at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”.
The series of international lectures, exhibitions, and professional meetings will take place throughout May and is dedicated to several significant anniversaries - 35 years since the establishment of Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar,” 30 years of the Faculty of Architecture, 30 years since the creation of the “Construction of Buildings and Facilities” programme, and 25 years of the Architecture programme.
The Faculty of Architecture will also receive the prestigious Varna Award. The collective award in the category of Social Sciences will be presented to the research team led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Rositsa Petkova-Slipec for the achievements of the Faculty of Architecture at VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar” in the educational and research activities.
“Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” will receive the prestigious Varna Award for its contribution to the development of architectural, construction, and geodetic education. The distinction is recognition of the faculty’s long-standing work and its modern approach to preparing future professionals”, Assoc. Prof. Rositsa Slipec emphasized in an interview for Radio Varna.
“This is a very high evaluation of everything we are doing in the faculty, especially in the field of Architecture, Construction, and Geodesy, which this year marks its 30th anniversary,” she stated.
According to her, over the past three decades the university has significantly enhanced its educational process through the development of academic staff, the introduction of up-to-date programmes, and the provision of high-level theoretical and practical training.
Among the main reasons for the award are the innovative methodologies introduced into the educational process, the digitalization of education, and work on real-life case studies. “All of this has increased the value of the diplomas we issue,” Assoc. Prof. Slipec emphasized.
A rich programme of events will accompany the Month of the Faculty of Architecture celebrations. Among the highlights is the exhibition “Vision for Varna - The City I Want to Live In,” which will open on May 21st at 2:00 p.m. near the entrance to the Sea Garden. The exhibition will present award-winning diploma projects by architecture students dedicated to iconic locations in Varna.
The projects include concepts for the area of the former Yuri Gagarin Stadium, ideas for the development of the island zone and the Talyana district, as well as concepts for the reconstruction of landmark buildings such as the headquarters of the Eighth Coastal Regiment and the old Republic Cinema.
“Our students have an exceptionally accurate understanding of how the environment in which we live should look,” Assoc. Prof. Slipec noted.
As part of the programme, the university will also welcome international guests. On May 27th, renowned journalist Ralitsa Vassileva, who teaches at the University of Georgia, will deliver a lecture to students. She will share her professional experience and provide practical advice on the successful presentation of student projects.
A day later, lecturers from the American university will present talks dedicated to the development of architecture and urban planning in the United States.
An important highlight of the programme will also be meetings with representatives of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria. The chairperson of the organization’s Board of Directors, architect Borislav Vladimirov, will speak with students together with architect Marin Velchev - chairperson of the regional chamber in Varna and a graduate from the first Architecture class of the university.
Assoc. Prof. Rositsa Slipec also emphasized the importance of international cooperation for the faculty’s development. Currently, the university maintains more than 30 partnerships with foreign higher education institutions in the fields of architecture and construction.
“We rely greatly on our international partners,” she said, highlighting as particularly successful the new partnerships with the University of Georgia and with one of the key private architecture universities in Georgia.
Guests from both institutions are also expected during the upcoming International Week of Architecture, which will be part of the Faculty of Architecture’s celebratory programme.
The beginning of the “Month of the Faculty of Architecture” was marked on May 12th with a lecture by architect Yoshi Yamazaki from the architectural studio “Yamazaki+Ivanova Architects” - an architect and lecturer from Tokyo, Japan. The lecture, titled “Uchi and Soto - On the Boundaries Between Architecture, the City, and Landscape in Japanese Tradition,” presented the Japanese perspective on space and the relationship between architecture and environment.
An exhibition featuring projects by students from the Graphic Design programme was also opened at the Art Salon of Radio Varna and will remain open until May 25th.
On May 21st at 2:00 p.m., near the Sundial in the Sea Garden, the exhibition “Vision for Varna - The City I Want to Live In” will open, presenting diploma projects by Architecture students. The exhibition will remain on display until June 5th.
On May 26th at 2:00 p.m., lecturers from the International Black Sea University in Tbilisi, Georgia, will present a lecture and discussion titled “Architectural Heritage in Tbilisi.”
The initiative will conclude on May 29th at 10:00 a.m. with the discussion “The Living Project: AI Video as a Bridge Between Idea and Reality,” featuring Stefan Grigorov and Tihomir Banov from “Epocha Online,” dedicated to new technologies and the possibilities of artificial intelligence in the creation of visual content.
The events of the “Month of the Faculty of Architecture” are open to students, lecturers, architects, school students, and everyone interested in architecture, urban environment, design, art, and modern technologies.