THE CHOREOGRAPHY MAJOR TEAM IS WINNER OF THE VARNA AWARD FOR 2025

20 May 2025

The team of the Choreography major at Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" is winner of the Varna Award.
The prestigious award was presented today at the "Stoyan Bachvarov" Drama Theatre in the seaside capital.
Prof. Maria Kardzhieva, PhD, Prof. Katya Kairyakova, PhD and Assoc. Prof. Ivaylo Ivanov, PhD have been awarded the Varna Award for 2025 in the field of science and higher education, in the scientific field of Humanities.

The award is given for:
► the development of education through culture and the arts.
► creation, preparation and participation of students in cultural events, part of the Cultural Calendar of Varna.
► the formation of an active community of students, PhD students, alumni, young artists, scientists and teachers with continuity over time.
► the preservation of Bulgarian folklore and its developing.

The Choreography major at Varna Free University celebrates 30 years since its establishment

The culmination of the celebrations will be on 19 June in Hall 1 of the Festival and Congress Centre - Varna, where the anniversary performance " Rhythm of Time" will be given. The concert will pay special tribute to Prof. Petar Angelov - one of the creators and long-time head of the specialty. His name is closely linked to the development of academic choreographic education in this country. He preserves and passes on the mission of the university, set jointly with Prof. Anna Nedyalkova, D.Sc - to build a community and an environment in which the Bulgarian tradition is preserved and art and creativity are developed. The performance "Rhythm of Time" will include choreographies reflecting the spirit of his work. The stage will bring together several generations of graduates in a shared movement through time.

The award-winning team:

Prof. Maria Kardzhieva, PhD is a graduate of the first class of the Choreography major and part of the academic college of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" since 2003. She is the scientific secretary of the Arts Department. She combines scientific, teaching and creative activities, implementing large-scale stage projects in the roles of artist, stage director and producer. She is the author of several monographs and numerous scientific publications dedicated to the authenticity, creativity and management of the stage folklore product. She participates in scientific forums as an expert in the Arts field, and in 2017 she received the national award Bearer of Enlightenment for her overall contribution to culture.

Prof. Katya Kairyakova PhD is a leading name in the field of folklore choreography and the author of numerous scientific publications and monographs. Her interests are focused on composition and direction in the dance art, the semiotics of folklore dance and the stage adaptation of traditional elements. She is the creator of some of the most impressive and original choreographies and concert performances, and is the winner of numerous awards and distinctions. She is the head of the Shumen Folk Song and Dance Ensemble. She inspires students with her dedication and high professionalism.

Assoc. Prof. Ivaylo Ivanov, PhD, a lecturer at VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" since 2008, is the head of the artistic and creative activities at the university. He began his career as a teacher of Bulgarian dances in 2003 and to this day has over 20 years of experience in education and stage practice. He graduated in Choreography from Varna Free University. He works with students and young people at the Secondary School for Humanities and Arts "Konstantin Preslavski" with inspiration, professionalism and creative flair, participating in the realization of a number of choreographic productions and dance projects. He is known for his methodical consistency and ability to educate a new generation of artists dedicated to Bulgarian folklore.

The three are winners of the Silver Ring award of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Academic Dance Theatre. Under the leadership of the team of teachers, the Academic Dance Theatre also received one of the highest awards - Golden Lyre of the Union of Bulgarian Music and Dance Artists.

The Varna Award for Journalism was also received by Hristo Rusev - an alumnus of our university. His nomination was supported by VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar".

The day before the award ceremony, the Choreography team met with the Aleria team ►