Bulgarians in Belgorod

The project is being led by Belgorod State University in partnership with the St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo. Dr Vladimir Shapovalov, a Vice-Rector at our University, is coordinating the Russian effort. He is now assisted by colleagues from the Institute of Social Science and Mass Communication, the Law Institute, the Pedagogical Institute and the University administration. The directors of the Museum and Library Services of Stary Oskol and Gubkin are also involved. The project will result in an authoritative history of the Bulgarians who helped modernise and industrialise our Region after the devastation of World War 2. The subject is dear to the heart of Professor Oleg Polukhin, Rector of our University. He commented that,
“It was a very interesting stage in the history of our Region. People make history, and history makes people. This alone is good enough reason to highlight this episode in the history of Belgorod Region. The time to look at it through the eyes of those who witnessed it is running out.”

Dr Shapovalov explained the process by which the account will be created. The task will be to collect and sort through text and photographs, and interview eyewitnesses. Dr Svetlana Ushakova, head of the Journalism Department at our University, will lead the group conducting interviews. Svetlana Mishcherina, Director of Stary Oskol Local History Museum, and Tatiana Izvekova, Director of the Gubkin Library, will form the nucleus of her team.