Varna Free University Opens the Academic Year with More Than 1,300 First-Year Students

29 September 2026

Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” opened the 2026/2027 academic year with a formal ceremony in the Eastern Park. More than 1,300 first-year students are beginning their studies in the year when the university celebrates the 35th anniversary of its founding. The President of the university, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krasimir Nedyalkov, welcomed the students and officially declared the new academic year open.
In his address, Assoc. Prof. Nedyalkov linked the anniversary to the university’s responsibility towards future generations. He highlighted the growing trust in the university and prospective students’ interest in the practical application of knowledge. Addressing the first-year students, he said: “Let your curiosity about the world be your compass, your dreams your driving force, and let every next step lead you towards development, change and personal growth.” He also told them: “Dream boldly, but remember that dreams only work if we work for them, too.”

During the ceremony, a congratulatory address from the Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Georgi Valchev, was read.

The ceremony was attended by Elina Dimitrova, Deputy Regional Governor of Varna Region; Nadezhda Bobcheva, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Varna; Judge Marin Marinov, President of the Varna Court of Appeal; Judge Tsveta Pavlova, President of the Varna District Court; Senior Commissioner Zhivko Zhelev, Director of the Varna Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior; Senior Commissioner Yordan Yordanov, Director of Varna Prison; and Dimitar Neykov, Territorial Director of the National Revenue Agency in Varna.

Among the guests were also Captain First Rank Prof. Dr. Ivaylo Bakalov, Dean of the Engineering Faculty at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy; Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Director of the Accreditation and Quality Directorate at the Medical University - Varna; Arch. Marin Velchev, Chairperson of the Varna Regional Chamber of Architects. Representatives of higher education institutions and research institutes, principals and representatives of schools and vocational high schools, members of professional advisory boards, and business partners also joined the celebration.
The beginning of the academic year was blessed by Archpriest Mihail Milenkov, Chairman of the Church of St. Apostle Andrew; Rev. Lyubomir Georgiev; and Deacon Georgi Neychev from the Diocese of Varna and Veliki Preslav.

As is traditional, the university honored the first-year students admitted with the highest scores in their respective programmes. Rector Prof. Dr. Petar Hristov wished the students greater boldness, curiosity, and perseverance, emphasizing that in the age of artificial intelligence, those with strength of spirit and creative energy have a greater advantage.

He presented certificates of recognition to Alexandra Stoyanova – majoring in Psychology; Anelia Pancheva - Public Administration and Management; Kristin Mavrodieva - International Economic Relations; Nagihan Halil - Finance and Accounting; Denitsa Dimitrova - National Security Protection; Yanik Mba - International Business, taught in English; Azeddin Kzi - Computer Science and Information Technology, taught in English; and Ivayla Slavova - Business Administration and Management.

Certificates were also presented to Vladislava Georgieva - Law; Ralina Dimitrova - Crime Prevention and Public Order Protection; Vladislava Krasteva - Construction of Buildings and Facilities; Dimitrina Hristova - Construction Engineering; Dian Tsvetkov - Water Supply and Sewerage; Daniel Shehov - Fire Protection and Emergency Safety; Simona Dikova - Graphic Design; Nia Naneva - Choreography; Karolina Golubovska - Architecture; and Hristiyan Kasabov - Interior Design.

It was Hristiyan Kasabov who delivered a greeting on behalf of the new students. A national champion and record holder in athletics, a silver medalist at the European U20 Championships in Tampere and a bronze medalist at the European U18 Championships in Banská Bystrica, he has chosen to continue his education in the Interior Design programme. “The transition from the blank page and the track to three-dimensional space is my new challenge,” the first-year student said. Kasabov encouraged his fellow students to be bold and pursue their dreams: “Sport has taught me that it is not only important to win, but also not to give up when you encounter difficulties.”

Erasmus+ student Mariam Gogouadze from Georgia, who has chosen to study Architecture, also addressed the academic community.
The celebratory programme featured performances by students from the Academic Dance Theatre and Varna Free Band, the musical club of the Student Council, whose members include students, lecturers, and university staff who perform alongside the university’s President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krasimir Nedyalkov.

Congratulatory messages on the occasion of the opening of the academic year were sent by:

Nadezhda Ognyanova - Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria;
Angel Stoykov - Chairperson of the National Representation of Student Councils;
Mario Smarkov - Regional Governor of Varna Region;
Blagomir Kotsev - Mayor of the Municipality of Varna;
Judge Marin Marinov – President of the Varna Court of Appeal;
Judge Elena Yanakieva - President of the Administrative Court -Varna;
Dr. Irena Radeva - Head of the Regional Department of Education - Varna;
Fleet Admiral Prof. Dr. Kalin Kalinov - Commandant of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy;
Prof. Dr. Dragomir Plamenov - Rector of the Technical University of Varna;
Prof. Dr. Dimitar Raykov, MD, PhD - Rector of the Medical University of Varna;
Prof. Georgi Yankov - Rector of the National Academy of Art;
Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov - Rector of the University of National and World Economy;
Rumen Radev - Chairperson of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association;
Arch. Borislav Vladimirov - Chair of the Management Board of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria;
Elena Koseva and Ivelina Shaban - Executive Directors of St. St. Constantine and Elena Holding AD;
The team of Agropolychim AD.

See more photos from the celebration at: