site.btaVarna Honorary Citizenship for RSV 421 Ex-CO

Commander Nikolay Danailov, a former commanding officer of the Bulgarian Navy Research/Survey Vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421), was among six individuals who were appointed Honorary Citizens of the City of Varna here on Thursday.

The ceremony was held at the Summer Theatre as part of celebrations of the Day of Varna, which falls on the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

The insignia of the distinction were presented by Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and Municipal Council Deputy Chair Tsvetelina Atanasova.

Commander Danailov was honoured for his indisputable efforts and major achievements in the city's naval, maritime and diplomatic endeavours. Under his command, the Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii made two successful voyages to Antarctica and back, in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, in support of the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions to Livingston Island in the South Shetlands. During the voyages, in addition to scientific research, the crews also carried out successful rescue operations. Danailov, as a member of the Bulgarian Navy and commanding officer of the vessel, also made an extraordinary contribution to the advancement of Varna's diplomatic links with all ports in which the ship called along its route.

The other honorees are local historian and researcher Borislav Dryanovski, folk music composer Dimitar Stoykov, national football team coach Iliyan Iliev, charity fund raising campaigner Vladislav Nikolov, and acting instructor and theatre critic Siya Papazova.  

At the end of the ceremony, the Varna State Opera Symphony Orchestra and soloists, conducted by Svetoslav Borisov, played works by Mozart, Verdi, Rossini, Donizetti and Bizet.