NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ announces its competition for the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Prize in support of young talent in contemporary arts and science
NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ announces its second national competition in support of the professional development of young Bulgarian artists and scientists. The winner will hold the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Prize in support of young talent in contemporary arts and science, which the Fund established in 2019. There is a cash prize of BGN 5,000 provided by the Fund, which is awarded for educational expenditure.
The competition will be conducted in two rounds. In the first, a jury put forward by the Management Board of NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ will select six nominated candidates to be announced in the period 01–31 January 2022. In support of each of the nominees the Fund will launch a donation campaign entitled ‘SUPPORT TALENT—DONATE!’.
In the second round, the jury will nominate the award winner and announce it publicly between 20 and 30 June 2022. The prize will be presented at an official ceremony.
Up to 14 January 2022, Bulgarian citizens of up to 35 years with a university degree in the arts or science, and innovative achievements in their respective field, can apply for the award. A mandatory requirement is that candidates have been accepted in 2021 for postgraduate qualification in accredited institutions of higher education in Europe, excluding Bulgaria.
The competition is open online here:
For contact and enquiries:
E-mail: nagradatalant@fund13veka.bg
www.fund13veka.bg
‘Support Talent—Donate!’, 2022
Dr Ivalina Trendafilova
nanoscience and nanotechnologies
Postdoctoral fellowship (January 2021–January 2024), University of Namur, Belgium
‘Promoting science in a language accessible to broader sections of society is important as it would help us to understand the scientific results obtained and their possible benefits. Based on these convictions of mine, I am enthusiastically involved in the dissemination of scientific results through various channels, such as media (television, radio), social networks and seminars; and this was my motivation for applying for the National Prize in support of young talent in the arts and science of the “13 Centuries of Bulgaria” National Endowment Fund.’
Master of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, St Kliment Ohridski University, Sofia;
Doctor of Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, BAS, Sofia;
Author of scores of scientific publications in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnologies.
Project leader of:
- Development of New Nanocomposites for Controlled Delivery of Anti-inflammatory and Antineoplastic Drugs, Programme for Supporting Young Scientists and PhD Students, BAS,
DFNP-191/14.05.2016–14.05.2017; - New Delivery Systems of Bioflavonoids Based on Modified Mesoporous Silica Carriers, Programme for Supporting Young Scientists and PhD Students, BAS,
DFNP 17-58/26.07.2017–26.01.2019; - Supply Systems of Biologically Active Substances of Natural Origin on the Basis of Innovative Organic/Inorganic Carriers, under the MUP Programme 01.04.2020–31.03.2021.
Member of national and international scientific networks:
- Union of Chemists in Bulgaria;
- Slovenian Zeolite Association;
- European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences.
Winner of awards and distinctions, including the Prof. Marin Drinov Award for Young Scientists, Nanoscience, New Materials and Technologies Research Division, BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2019.
Nominee for the ‘13th century Bulgaria’ National Prize in support of young talent in the arts and science, 2020, and
Pythagoras Prize for Contribution to the Development of Science, Grand Prize for Young Scientist, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2021.
Ana Kostova
artist, painting
Master’s Degree in Painting (2021–23); ‘Free Art’ under Prof. Antje Majewski, Muthesius Academy of Art, Kiel, Germany
‘I have always striven to develop and seek my artistic recognisability. At present, I continue to be principally engaged in painting, but I am also experimenting with new techniques and materials. Education offers me the opportunity to present my art to a new public in another country and the fact that it is appreciated motivates me to continue to develop and keep on aiming higher.’
Master’s Degree in Painting from the National Academy of Arts, Sofia,
under Prof. Zdravka Vasileva, M.A.
Her works were included in the following exhibitions:
‘Portrait’, 2020, Shipka 6 Gallery, UBA, Sofia, Bulgaria;
‘At the Beginning’, 2020, Rayko Aleksiev Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria;
‘Rosa-Grün’, 2020, Ansharpark, Kiel, Germany;
‘Import-Export’, 2021, Prima Kunst, City Gallery, Kiel, Germany.
Victoria Zhelyazkova
sociology of culture
Master’s Degree in Sociology of Culture (March 2021–January 2023), Faculty of Social Sciences, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
‘If, in the uncertain times in which we live, only a small portion of our attention is focused on the concept of “care”, then my work aims to disclose areas, methods and ways through which, in appropriate language, we can approach the implementation of forms of care, both for ourselves and for our environment.’
Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Maastricht University, the Netherlands
Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Culture from Maastricht University, the Netherlands
Delyan Balev
international relations
Master’s Degree in Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes (2021–23), Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
‘My dream is for Bulgaria to become a positive model for both Europe and the world. And for the Bulgarian people to be the engine for prosperity in the cultural and spiritual, social, political and economic spheres. I believe that through our joint efforts, work, perseverance and collectivism, this is possible!’
Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, Saint Petersburg State University, Russian Federation
Delegate to the 2020 General Assembly in the United Nations’ Change the World Virtual Model
Specialist in International Affairs and Diplomacy with the Youth Diplomacy Journal, 2020–21, Russian Federation
2020
Victoria Vassilenko is the first winner of the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Prize in support of young talent in contemporary arts and science
On 24 September 2020, the second and final jury meeting was held for the selection of the first winner of the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Prize in support of young talent in contemporary arts and science, established by NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ at the end of last year.
The composition of the jury was determined by the Fund’s Management Council after a preliminary consultation with national institutions and organisations in the fields of culture and science. Its members are: Assoc. Prof. Dr Penko Gospodinov (NATFA ‘Krastyo Sarafov’), Prof. Sava Dimitrov, DMA (NAM ‘Prof. Pancho Vladigerov’), Prof. Dr Nikolay Yordanov (Varna Summer International Theatre Festival), Prof. Dr Fantina Rangelova, MEng (UACEG), and Prof. Valeri Stefanov (St Kliment Ohridski Sofia University). On the instructions of the Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Jury on the Statute of the Prize, the meetings were chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr Ventsislav Velev, Advisor to the Minister. At its first meeting, held on 23 January 2020, the jury selected the six nominated participants in the competition: Victoria Vassilenko (performing artist, pianist), Dr Ivalina Trendafilova (nanosciences and nanotechnologies), Rosen Georgiev (research in the field of atomic layer deposition and its applications), Denitsa Todorova (hot processing of artistic glass), Lilia Pangelova (glass design), Viviane Vassileva (musician, percussionist).
After the successful completion of the jury’s work, NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ announces the name of the first winner of the ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Prize in support of young talent in contemporary arts and science: Victoria Vassilenko.
She studied piano at the Lyubomir Pipkov National School of Music in Sofia, under Antonina Boneva, and later under Prof. Stella Dimitrova-Maystorova. She acquired her Bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Music at NBU. She graduated from the Reina Sofía School of Music, Madrid, and the Lake Como International Piano Academy, Italy. She has a Master’s degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels. She has won numerous awards and distinctions, including the Crystal Lyre Prize for best young performer, the Grand Prix laureate of the Dimitar Berbatov Foundation, first prize at the George Enescu International Competition in Bucharest, Romania. Victoria was a prize winner at Les Jeudis du Piano Competition Festival, Geneva, Switzerland. She was awarded the Golden Age Prize of the Ministry of Culture, Bulgaria. In that period (September 2019–September 2020), she specialised in Louis Lortie’s piano class, Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Belgium.
On 1 October 2020 in the Palace Ballroom of the National Gallery, diplomas will be awarded to the winner and the nominees.
‘Support Talent—Donate!’, 2020
Victoria Vassilenko
performing artist, pianist
Postgraduate qualification (September 2019–September 2020) in Louis Lortie’s piano class, Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Belgium.
‘I am happy to settle down in Bulgaria and continue to do everything possible to make a cultural contribution to my country.’
Graduated from the Lyubomir Pipkov National School of Music, Sofia, in Antonina Boneva’s piano class
Studied piano under Prof. Stella Dimitrova-Maystorova
Bachelor’s degree at the Faculty of Music, New Bulgarian University
Graduated from the Reina Sofía School of Music, Madrid, and the Lake Como International Piano Academy, Italy
Master’s degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels
Winner of the Crystal Lyre Award for Young Musician
Grand Prix laureate of the Dimitar Berbatov Foundation
First Prize at the George Enescu International Competition, Bucharest, Romania
Prize winner at Les Jeudis du Piano Competition Festival, Geneva, Switzerland
Winner of the Golden Age Prize of the Ministry of Culture, Bulgaria
Dr Ivalina Trendafilova
nanoscience and nanotechnologies
Postdoctoral specialisation, (1 January 2019–31 March 2020), National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
‘I believe that science is the key to solving global problems such as protecting the environment and human health, and the initiative of the ’13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund provides young people with the opportunity to display their potential and continue their career development and academic growth.’
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lDI3lJJMBWiCnV566GfNdf9ozQuWBDFr/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/121cmEWk-vu4Y54uc1CFE8ZT5u9-RTGaS/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13A_A5LXAVhiQZkgUEGMr4XPNOSbx90vL/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10U8nIi4Lt0bGlbRDOFhtkEQkY22DO-jW/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ptn2tA02-KT3hzGKOCNjcf53EEjgv-Fd/view
Bachelor’s degree, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, St Kliment Ohridski University, Sofia
Master of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, St Kliment Ohridski University, Sofia
Doctor of Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, BAS, Sofia
Author of scores of scientific publications in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnologies
Projects leader in the development of new nanocomposite systems and new delivery systems of bioflavonoids
Winner of awards and honours, including the Prof. Marin Drinov Award for Young Scientists, Nanoscience, New Materials and Technologies Research Division, BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2019
Rosen Georgiev
scientific research in atomic layer deposition and its applications
Participation in a project on the development and deposition of coatings of 2D materials, under Prof. Martin Hulman, National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Slovak Academy of Sciences.
‘I believe that my inclusion in the competition will benefit my development as a young perspective scientist in Bulgaria, and strengthen my motivation for even more success in the future…’
Bachelor of Telecommunications, Technical University, Sofia
Master’s degree in Design of Photonic Networks, Technical University, Berlin
Doctoral candidate, Acad. Jordan Malinowski Institute of Optical Materials and Technologies, Sofia
Author of numerous publications in scientific journals
Winner of awards for his participation in scientific conferences and the Award for implementation of a Youth Project under the Programme for Supporting of Young Scientists and PhD Students at BAS, 2017
French Government Scholarship for a two-month scientific visit to the Catalysis and Spectrochemistry Laboratory, Cannes, France and the World Federation of Scientists
Denitsa Todorova
hot glass design
Specialisation (1 June–30 September 2019) in Barbara Zehner’s Glass Studio, Fürstenzell, Germany, the Erasmus Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport of the European Union.
‘My motivation to apply for the competition for the ‘13Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Prize is related to continuing to develop in the field of artistic glass here in Bulgaria.’
Bachelor’s degree in Painting, Sts Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo
Master’s degree in Glass Design, Sts Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo
PhD student at the Mural Painting Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Sts Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo
Participation in international and national exhibitions, plein-air events and festivals
Liliya Pangelova
glass design
Master’s degree in Art Education and Research (2019–2021), University of Malta.
The purpose of my training in Malta, which began in October 2019, is related not only to acquiring a degree or readiness to teach my personal artistic skills and experience, but to present Bulgarian culture abroad.’
Bachelor’s degree in Porcelain and Glass Design, National Academy of Fine Arts, Sofia
Master’s degree in Ceramic and Glass Design, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul, Turkey
Assistant at Bernard Heesen and Leerdam Studios, Leerdam, Holland, and Ajeto Glassworks, Nový Bor and Zajec, Czechia
Participation in the projects ‘Reconstructing an Ancient Roman Furnace for Glassmaking’, ‘Villa Borg Archaeological Park’, Germany, and ‘Reconstructing Ancient Roman Glassmaking Techniques’, the Provincial Archaeological Museum, Velzece, Belgium
Viviane Vassileva
musician, percussionist
Master’s degree in Percussion Instruments (2019–2021), Mozarteum University, Salzburg, Austria.
‘Everywhere in Europe where I give concerts, the Bulgarian theme is present in my compositions; that is why I hope that, with your support, my music, with my favourite instruments, will also be heard on the Bulgarian stage!’
Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Instruments, under Prof. Peter Sadlo, Specialised College for Music and Theatre, Munich, Germany
Master’s degree in Chamber Music, Specialised College for Music and Theatre, Munich, Germany
First Prize at the National Competition for Young Musicians in Germany, 2007
Two Special Awards for the youngest performer in ARD’s musical competition
First Prize in the competition, Kulturpreis den Kulturkreis Gasteig München, 2016
Bavaria’s Musician of the Year, 2017
Award for promoting art in Bavaria, 2017