Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” celebrates its 35th anniversary with the largest alumni reunion in its history and a vision for the future
16 may 2026
Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” is marking its 35th anniversary with the largest alumni reunion in its history, alongside international academic events, exhibitions, meetings with key professionals, and an official graduation ceremony for nearly 300 graduating students on May 24th.
The highlight of the anniversary programme will take place on May 23rd in the university’s Eastern Park, where more than 400 alumni from Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other countries will gather to celebrate the academic community, continuity, and their shared connection to the university.
Today, Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” educates students from 34 countries across four continents, while its international partnership network brings together dozens of universities and academic organizations worldwide. The university is now welcoming a second generation of students - the children of its first graduates - which stands as a natural testament to the trust placed in the institution and the lasting connection between generations.
“The university is both a cause and a mission,” says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eleonora Tankova, who has worked at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” since the very first day of its establishment in 1991. According to her, the university was founded during a period of major social transformation with the ambition to offer a new model of education - one that is freer, more open to the world, and more closely connected to the real needs of society and professional practice.
Today, the university offers a broad academic profile with well-established programmes in law, business administration, and computer science, alongside rapidly developing fields such as architecture, construction engineering, and psychology. In response to emerging social and technological trends, new master’s degree programmes in Data Science, cybersecurity, and circular economy have also been introduced.
The festive evening on May 23rd will be created by the university community itself. Performers on stage will include the Music Club of the Student Council, featuring students, faculty members, staff, and the university’s President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krasimir Nedyalkov. They will perform together with Teodosii Spassov - Doctor Honoris Causa of Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” - as well as with Draghni Dragnev’s bagpipe orchestra and Yanitsa Kaneva.
The anniversary programme will continue on May 24th - the Day of St. St. Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture, and Slavic literature. Faculty members, students, staff, and alumni of Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” will take part in the traditional festive parade in Varna.
At 1:00 p.m., the official graduation ceremony for the autumn session of the Class of 2025 - the 30th graduating class in the university’s history - will take place in the Plenary Hall of the Municipality of Varna. The university management will award diplomas to nearly 300 graduates from the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes.
Alongside the anniversary celebrations, the university is also organizing the “Month of the Faculty of Architecture,” dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Faculty of Architecture, 30 years of the Building Construction and Facilities programme, and 25 years of the Architecture programme.
As part of the initiative, international lectures, professional meetings, and exhibitions will be held with the participation of Ralitsa Vassileva, a lecturer at the University of Georgia, architects from Japan and Georgia, as well as representatives of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria.
Among the highlights are exhibitions by students from the Graphic Design program and graduating students from the Architecture program, showcasing their ideas for the development of the urban environment and the contemporary appearance of Varna.
The Faculty of Architecture will also receive the prestigious Varna Award in the Social Sciences category for achievements in teaching and research activities.
Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” marks its 35th anniversary as one of the most recognizable educational institutions in Bulgaria, with an international presence, active partnerships with business, and a strong connection between education and professional practice. The university is among the Bulgarian higher education institutions included in the international QS rankings, ranks fourth in the country for digital reputation, has received more than 25 Varna Award distinctions, and holds one of the highest institutional accreditation scores among private universities in Bulgaria - 9.01.
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