site.btaMemorial Plaque of Writer Aleko Konstantinov Unveiled at Odesa National University

A memorial plaque of Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov was unveiled at the Law Faculty of the Odesa National University on the initiative of the Bulgarian Consulate General and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). The donor of the plaque is Ukrainian Nikolay Pestruev, who is of Bulgarian origin. 

“It befits BTA as a Bulgarian national news agency to initiate the placement of this plaque because Aleko Konstantinov is one of the most important Bulgarian journalists and writers, said BTA Director General Kiril Valchev. Last year, the network of BTA's national press clubs celebrated the 160th birth anniversary of Aleko Konstantinov with talks led by poet and literary critic Yordan Eftimov,” he recalled. 

"I would like to thank on behalf of Bulgaria and the Consulate General in Odesa the Rector of the University, Prof. Vyacheslav Truba, for making this project a reality. This is a good example of cooperation between Bulgaria and Ukraine," said Bulgarian Consul General Svetoslav Ivanov. 

Prof. Truba expressed hope that the course of Bulgarian studies will be restored at the university. 

Writer Yordan Eftimov said that most of the leaders of the new Bulgarian state had graduated from the Odesa University. Among them was Aleko Konstantinov, who spent six years in Mykolaiv and Odesa, who were formative for him.

The event was attended by Bulgarian Consul General Svetoslav Ivanov, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and Bulgarian writer Yordan Evtimov. The hosts were represented by Odesa University the Rector Prof. Vyacheslav Truba and his deputy Maya Nikolaeva, who is of Bulgarian origin. 

Also present were representatives of the Bulgarian community in Odesa Dimitar Terzi, Director of the All-Ukrainian Center for Bulgarian Culture, and Mikhail Radev, secretary and vice-president of the Association of Bulgarians in Ukraine.  

Among the guests were students from the faculties of Economics and Law, Philology and Journalism.