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SPEECH BY ASSOC.PROF. KRASIMIR NEDYALKOV, PhD ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL
27 February 2026
Esteemed Academic Leadership,Esteemed Chairpersons of the Student Council,
Esteemed Alumni of Varna Free University,
Dear Tony Bidzhonov and members of the Student Council,
I remember the beginning.
I remember the first days of Varna Free University – the strong emotions, the rebellion, the student courage, the strikes in front of the Parliament, the belief that free education has its place in Bulgaria.
I was part of the first graduating class.
Today, as the President of the University, I stand before you with the clear awareness that the path from those days 35 years ago to today’s 30th anniversary of the Student Council is a path of perseverance, strong character and a healthy academic community.
In 1996, here – at the university – the first student council in Bulgaria was born. With it, a new culture of leadership and responsibility began. For three decades, the Student Council has proven itself with actions, continuity and consistency.
12 members of the Student Council carried the baton of responsibility – to be the first and to build on what has been achieved. They worked hard. They studied. Sometimes they made mistakes. But much more often they succeeded.
And their successes are successes of the university:
· the creation of the Career Centre,
· the "Green University" initiative, which gave life to our university park, born from a student project,
· the introduction of preferential public transport cards for thousands of school and university students in Varna,
· active participation in the work on changes of the Student Loans Act,
· blood donation campaigns, digital literacy programmes, national competitions and dozens of clubs and creative formations.
All this is an expression of a mature civic position and responsibility towards the university and society.
Today I am also part of the Music Club of the Student Council. I play together with students, lecturers and employees. Varna Free Band is an example of what a real academic family looks like – different generations, one stage, a common mission.
This is how the university is built – in harmony, with trust and with responsibility.
Dear students and alumni,
keep this rebellious, but also responsible spirit. Develop it. Strengthen it. Be courageous in your decisions and responsible in your actions.
Stand up for your principles with dignity. Create an environment in which freedom is a value. Change is born from your activity. In your energy is the power of tomorrow.
I address the alumni who are our guests today.
This year, the Student Council turns 30, and Varna Free University celebrates its 35th anniversary.
In these special days for our country, when everyone is divided or opposed to each other, we decided that we want to unite our academic community.
We want to gather the strength, energy and enthusiasm of our alumni – all those 50,000 young graduates who are ambassadors of our university in Bulgaria and around the world.
Welcome to Varna Free University!
I invite you to our alumni meeting on 23 May in the Eastern Park of the university – a celebration of generations, friendship and shared memories. You can expect music, meetings with lecturers and fellow students, new faces and old stories that are worth telling again.
And the next day – the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, 24 May – we will continue together in the festive procession, shoulder to shoulder – alumni and current students, lecturers and friends of the university.
Let us show that the community of our university is active and connected across generations. Your presence is an exceptional sign of trust! Your participation is a continuation of the history we are writing together.
Happy holiday, Student Council of Varna Free University!