22 April 2025 marked the 130th anniversary of the birth of Philip Iliev Pavlov, a long-time parliamentary stenographer and prominent figure in the Bulgarian stenographic movement, and benefactor of NEF ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’.
In 1987, Philip Iliev donated his apartment in Sofia (at 41, Shipka Street) to the Fund, stipulating that the property be used by the State Stenographic Institute as a library and for conducting courses in stenography and typing. On the closure of the institute in 2003, the property was leased to the National Association of Stenographers, Typists and Computer Operators (NASTCO). The association continues to conduct typing courses and maintain a library in the apartment in accordance with the terms of the donation.
Philip Iliev (1895–1988) was a prominent representative of the shorthand movement in Bulgaria and the author of textbooks on typewriting. Throughout his life, he worked for the development of Bulgarian stenography, with the aim of making it an indispensable assistant to Bulgarian intellectuals and thereby contributing to the preservation of Bulgarian writing and culture.
The ‘13 Centuries of Bulgaria’ National Endowment Fund appreciates the donor’s contribution, and expresses its gratitude and while honouring his memory.