On 21 May 2026, Africa Day 2026 was solemnly celebrated at Sofia University. The event was organized by the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies at the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology together with the Embassies of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco, and in cooperation with the BA Program in African Studies. Alongside students and faculty members, the ceremony held in the packed Aula Magna was attended by numerous ambassadors, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and state institutions.
The opening ceremony began with a musical performance by opera singer and violist Rozalina Kassabova, who performed the national anthems of the Republic of Bulgaria, the African Union, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Libya, and the Kingdom of Morocco in succession. These four Arab states represent the African Union in Bulgaria, under whose initiative Africa Day is celebrated.
The master of ceremonies, Darina Katsarska, PhD student in the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies, announced the African Union’s 2026 theme: Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.
Prof. Dr. Reneta Bozhankova, Vice-Rector of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski for International Affairs, delivered an address, emphasizing that it was an exceptional honor and privilege to welcome such a high-level event organized in close partnership with the diplomatic corps and the University’s academic departments.
Professor Bozhankova stressed that thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies and the African Studies Program, “our Aula will be filled with the richness of African culture”. The Vice-Rector expressed special gratitude to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui, as well as to the ambassadors of Algeria, Egypt, and Libya, noting: “As a leading educational and scientific institution, Sofia University firmly believes that global challenges concerning humanity and the environment demand shared responsibility, innovation, and strong international partnerships. Science and knowledge know no borders when the goal is a more sustainable and just future for all.”
H.E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco, Dean of the Group of African Ambassadors and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, delivered an official address on behalf of all ambassadors of the African Union member states accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria – Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco. In her speech, H.E. Mrs. El Midaoui emphasized that “water has always held a unique place in the history of African civilizations,” while “the continent’s great rivers – the Nile, Niger, Congo, Senegal, and Zambezi – are not merely geographical features; they are the living arteries around which societies, trade, cultures, and spaces of coexistence have been built”. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps stressed that today, when millions of Africans still lack secure access to drinking water and adequate sanitation, water possesses not only symbolic and civilizational significance, but has become a major strategic challenge of the 21st century.
“Faced with this reality,” Ambassador El Midaoui underlined, “Africa has chosen not to passively accept the future. One of the major developments of recent years lies precisely in the emergence of a genuine African vision for water governance, now enshrined at the very heart of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”. According to H.E. Mrs. El Midaoui, Africa’s message for 2026 is clear: there can be no lasting peace, shared prosperity, or climate justice without water security.
An address on behalf of Dr. Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, was delivered by Ambassador Petko Doykov, Director General for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The address emphasized: “Africa’s diverse cultural heritage is both a reservoir of memory and rich history and a dynamic driver of innovation, resilience and sustainable development. But Africa Day is not only an occasion to look back at the historic ambition for independence and self-determination. It is also a moment to look forward – to the future of Africa as one of the most dynamic, youthful and promising regions.”
It was highlighted that Bulgaria maintains long-standing ties with many African states in areas such as education, diplomacy, culture, trade, people-to-people exchanges, and solidarity during the decades of decolonization and nation-building: “Generations of African students have studied at Bulgarian universities and many of them became respected professionals, academics and leaders in their home countries.” Bulgaria welcomes the African Union’s initiative to dedicate 2026 to ensuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems. The conclusion of the Foreign Minister’s message was unequivocal: in an increasingly uncertain world marked by global challenges, Europe and Africa need one another more than ever, and Sofia University is the appropriate place from which to convey this message.
A welcoming address on behalf of Prof. Dr. Gergana Petkova, Dean of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology, was delivered by Prof. Dr. Simeon Evstatiev, Head of the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies. In her address, Prof. Petkova, who had fully supported and personally participated in the organization of Africa Day 2026 over the past several months, emphasized that Africa Day is a special celebration which provides an opportunity to build bridges between different cultures. Highlighting Africa’s impressive diversity, beauty, and human potential, Professor Petkova wished the event every success. She expressed her gratitude to the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies and the African Studies Program, as well as to the ambassadors of the four Arab states co-organizing the event, under whose initiative Africa Day is celebrated.
Prof. Dr. Simeon Evstatiev, Head of the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies, welcomed the guests to this special event, emphasizing: “Since the teaching of Arabic language and culture at Sofia University began in 1964 within the then Oriental Studies Program, it is important to emphasize that, through our Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies, Sofia University has served for more than sixty years as a center for the study of Africa in its historical and cultural interconnectedness with the Middle East.” Professor Evstatiev continued that the Arabic language and culture have undoubtedly shaped the countries of North Africa for centuries, but have also played and continue to play an exceptionally important role in the creation and transmission of knowledge in many other parts of the African continent. “In some regions of Sub-Saharan Africa,” Professor Evstatiev noted, “the significance of the Arabic language has often been compared to that of Latin in medieval Europe.”
On behalf of the hosts, Professor Evstatiev also pointed out that within the University there is a time for diligent work and a time for celebration, concluding: “This evening is a time to come together in friendship, to celebrate Africa Day, and to learn more about its rich cultural diversity together with our partners from Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and all the nations of the African Union.”
The first part of the cultural program, dedicated to North Africa, was prepared by a team from the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies with the participation of 14 students from the Arabic Studies Program and several instructors.
The first part of the cultural program was dedicated to Arab North Africa.
Jihad Medioubi, instructor in Moroccan Arabic at the Department of Arabic and Semitic Studies, had written a poem especially for the occasion of Africa Day 2026. The poem was recited in the original by Rostislav Velev (2nd-year student in the Arabic Studies Program) and Angel Klinkov (3rd-year student in the Arabic Studies Program).
The Bulgarian translation of the poem was prepared and presented by Tiya Mutraji (2nd-year student in the Arabic Studies Program).
The vocal group “An-Nujum” (“The Stars”), comprising students and instructors from the Arabic Studies Program, with 2nd-year student Preslava Zaharieva as soloist, performed Dalida’s famous song “Helwa ya Baladi” in Egyptian Arabic.
Student Sara Narmomen recited a patriotic poem by the prominent Libyan poet Ahmad Rafiq al-Mahdawi (1898–1961).
The translation of the poem was prepared by Sara together with Hristin Pavlova, who recited the text in Bulgarian.
The Arab North Africa segment of the program concluded with a performance by the vocal group “An-Nujum” of the Arabic Studies Program, again featuring Preslava Zaharieva as soloist, which performed the famous Algerian song “Ya Rayah,” widely popular across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe through the rendition of Rachid Taha.
The second part of the cultural program, with master of ceremonies Samuil Pechev, a student in the BA Program in African Studies, was dedicated to Sub-Saharan Africa.
This segment of the program included musical and dance performances by the African Association and Sympathizers in Bulgaria.
The audience also had the opportunity to experience the rhythms of Sub-Saharan Africa through a drum circle performance by Dizzy Grooves / Rhythm Workshop – Foli Ba Drum Circle.
The concluding performance, announced as a tribute to all peoples of Africa, was delivered by Nikola Yanakiev, a student in the MA Program in Middle Eastern Studies with Arabic Language and a star of the national TV show The Voice of Bulgaria. Nikola’s performance of Sting’s “Desert Rose” also received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The event was accompanied by a photography exhibition prepared by the African Studies Program.
At the end of the evening, guests had the opportunity to experience the diverse colors and flavors of North Africa, presented in the central foyer of the Rectorate building by the embassies of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco.
