The "Zinovy and Konstantin Katsarov" Foundation Committee unanimously approved the candidacy of Prof. Dr. Hristo Pimpirev for the 2025 award in the name of Prof. Katsarov. This was announced today by the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI). The decision, made at a committee meeting on October 17th, marks significant recognition for Prof. Pimpirev's work.
Prof. Hristo Pimpirev, chairman of the BAI, is the leader of the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions. His leadership plays a key role in the development of scientific research in this remote and challenging region.
The award in the name of Prof. Katsarov was presented for the first time in 2023. At that time, the award was given to the writer Georgi Gospodinov. In 2024, the award was given to Professor of Medicine Valentin Dzhonov. The award is presented annually to a Bulgarian person or institution whose merits are publicly recognized and are of significant benefit to Bulgaria. The purpose of the award is not only to highlight, but also to support a publication, research, initiative, or activity with an exceptional contribution to "eternal Bulgaria", according to Prof. Katsarov's favorite expression, the BAI notes.
We remind you that on October 14th, the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) awarded the highest science awards – "Pythagoras". The ceremony was opened by the Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev. This initiative has been organized for the 17th consecutive year. 52 scientists participated in the competition for the eight categories.
At this ceremony, Prof. Hristo Pimpirev from Sofia University (SU) "St. Kliment Ohridski" received the award in the category "Communication of Science". Prof. Pimpirev is the creator, driver, and ambassador of Bulgarian polar research. Through active media presence, meetings with young people, the inclusion of artists and journalists in the expeditions, he makes the science of Antarctica accessible and inspiring to the wider public. The MES notes that as a result of his work, polar research has established itself in Bulgaria as an area that combines science, education, and cultural identity.