site.btaVarna Library Presents Bulgaria's First Humanoid Robot in Public Library

The Varna Regional Library celebrated the 20th anniversary of the opening of its American Corner on Thursday. During the event, the library demonstrated a humanoid robot acquired as part of a project for STEAM Career Guidance for Future Leaders of Generation Z, supported by the US Embassy in Bulgaria. The project is aimed at students from the towns of Byala, Valchi Dol, Dolni Chiflik and Suvorovo, who participate in courses in oceanology, archeology and architecture.

The robot is called Emma and has educational goals, said Library Director Radka Kalcheva. She noted that it is the first humanoid robot in a public library in Bulgaria. At the beginning, Emma will be an attraction for visitors and will offer a presentation about the opportunities that the library provides to readers. Emma can speak Bulgarian and English and her most important role is to make presentations where she shows information on her small screen and reads it out. She can involve the audience in various interactive games, and she also demonstrates how to dance. When asked what books she likes to read, Emma answered: good ones. 

The event was attended by the US Embassy's Cultural and Educational Affairs Officer Eric Brassil, Varna Deputy Mayor Pavel Popov and the head of the American Corner, Tsvetelina Voycheva.