Prof. Dr Eliza Stefanova, Rector of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," welcomed Acad. François de Callataÿ, President of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Belgium and Honorary Doctor of Sofia University, in his capacity as Vice President of the Board of the International Numismatic Council (INC).
The meeting convened in connection with the university's upcoming application to host the XVIII International Numismatic Congress in 2033, which is scheduled to be presented and defended in 2027. The scientific forum provides a uniquely versatile and prestigious platform for meetings and debates among a wide range of experts in numismatics, history, financial and economic issues, archaeometry, art studies, IT, and other topics, both from academic and business circles.
Because of its high status and diverse profile, cities like Brussels, Paris, London, Rome, Copenhagen, New York, Bern, Berlin, and Madrid have successfully hosted the event over the years.
At the meeting, which was also attended by Prof. D. Boteva-Boyanova (SU), Assoc. Prof. J. Tzvetkova (SU), Assoc. Prof. V. Grigorova-Gencheva (UZF / Fibank), and Senior Assistant Dr L. Grozdanova (SU), the most important steps needed to ensure the application's success were outlined.
Acad. Fr. de Calataÿ expressed the numismatic community's high regard for the convincing, expert, and proactive presence of Bulgarian numismatists on the international scientific stage. He gifted Prof. E. Stefanova a miscellanea with the symbolic title "Serving Society" (2023), prepared by the Royal Belgian Academy in honour of its 250th anniversary.
As a result of the meeting, Acad. Fr. de Calataÿ was officially presented with a letter from the Rector of Sofia University expressing commitment to support the preparation of the host application for the International Numismatic Congress in 2033.