NEWS

The Head of State awards historians Prof Georgi Nikolov and Prof Peter Schreiner with the President's Badge of Honour

 

For decades, Prof Schreiner and Prof Nikolov have made consistent efforts to study, preserve and present to the world one of the most significant periods in Bulgarian medieval history - Samuil Bulgaria, and the life of its ruler, Tsar Samuil. The two scholars contribute to affirming Bulgaria's place in the European historical context. This was stated by the head of state Rumen Radev, who today awarded the President's badge of honour to Prof Peter Schreiner and Prof Dr Georgi Nikolov. The distinction is awarded for the overall contribution of the two scholars in the study of medieval Bulgarian history and of Samuil Bulgaria.

 

The President expressed gratitude to Prof Schreiner on behalf of the Bulgarian people and our scientific and academic community for his long-term research in the field of Bulgarian and Byzantine history. With your remarkable studies, you give us the opportunity to better understand this period and introduce it to the world, added Rumen Radev. Prof Schreiner was conferred the award for his contribution to the development of bilateral relations in the field of science between Bulgaria and the Federal Republic of Germany.

 

Prof Nikolov was awarded the President's Badge of Honour for his role in the consolidation and development of modern Bulgarian historical science and scientific school. Prof Nikolov is one of the most authoritative researchers of the Bulgarian Middle Ages, President Radev pointed out, adding that from the numerous works of the prominent historian, we get a deep insight into the lifework of Tsar Samuil, the essence of Bulgarian statehood and its significance for the historical period.

 

The awarding ceremony was held in the context of the national commemoration of the 1010th anniversary of the death of King Samuel, under the patronage of the head of state Rumen Radev. For more than 1,000 years, the self-sacrifice of King Samuel and the bravery of our ancestors continue to be an example in which we rediscover the essence of patriotism and the common aspiration to defend our national spirit, identity and dignity, the head of state said. The President noted that the Bulgarian nation draws inspiration from the work of Tsar Samuil, as well as from the dedicated work of scholars such as Prof Schreiner and Prof Nikolov, who research our rich history and preserve it for future generations.

 

Prof Schreiner thanked for the honour of receiving the highest distinction, as well as for the recognition of the academic community in our country. The German scientist talked about his professional path, related to medieval studies and Bulgarian history, pioneered by Prof Ivan Duichev. I have written 60 publications in which I try to show Bulgaria and its medieval history in Germany, said Prof Schreiner.

 

Samuil became a symbol of the struggle for state survival and freedom of Bulgaria, and it is no coincidence that he created an entire epoch in our history, deservedly called "the history of Samuil Bulgaria", Prof Nikolov said for his part. He expressed gratitude for the badge of honour, which he also accepted as recognition for the guild of medieval studies. I am proud to receive this award together with one of the greatest Byzantine scholars of our time - Prof Peter Schreiner, whom I also consider my teacher in Byzantine studies and medieval studies , said the Bulgarian scientist.

 

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The academic path of Prof Dr Georgi Nikolov passes through the Centre for Slavic -Byzantine Studies "Ivan Duichev" and is closely connected with the "History of Bulgaria" department at the Faculty of History of Sofia University. In 2022, he was elected professor in the professional field "History and Archaeology (History of Medieval Bulgaria - History of Samuel's Bulgaria)". He is the author of 10 books and hundreds of scientific and popular science studies, articles, reviews and reviews, with his reports he participated in over 100 scientific forums in Bulgaria and abroad. He lectures on a number of topics, including "History of Medieval Bulgaria" and "History of Samuil Bulgaria". Professor Nikolov is among the founders of the Association of Byzantine and Medievalists in Bulgaria, a member of the Scientific Council of the Centre for Slavic -Byzantine Studies "Prof Ivan Duichev" and is the chairman of the Macedonian Scientific Institute.

 

Prof Schreiner was born in Munich, graduated in classical philology and Byzantine studies with a specialization in Slavic studies, Latin philology and history and culture of the Middle East. In 1979, he became a professor of Byzantine studies at the University of Cologne. From 1979 to 2005, he taught at the Department of Byzantine Studies at the University of Cologne. In 1991, Professor Schreiner was elected a corresponding member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and in 2002 - President of the International Association of Byzantologists. A significant part of his multifaceted scientific activity is occupied by Bulgarian medieval history, the connections between Byzantium and the Slavs, as well as the culture of the Old Bulgarian era. Prof. Schreiner pays special attention to the rulers of the First Bulgarian Kingdom - Boris, Simeon, Samuil, and through his scientific works presents a modern reading of some of the most glorious pages in Bulgarian history.