The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research together with the Nuclear Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria (BNRA) organize a series of events devoted to the Institute’s 65th anniversary and the Year of Bulgaria in JINR.

JINR delegation headed by its Vice-Directors Ltchesar Kostov and Vladimir Kekelidze is on a visit to Sofia from 15 to 18 September 2021. The Bulgarian side is represented at the events by the Plenipotentiary Representative of Bulgaria to JINR, Chairman of BNRA Tsanko Bachiyski, employees of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Academy of Science, as well as the staff of research centres involved in joint projects with JINR.

The programme of the visit started on 15 September in Sofia South Park where a new recreation area was arranged with the assistance of JINR, BNRA and Kozloduy NNP. This “green initiative” will not only lead to elevation of the territory of one of the largest parks, but to increase of awareness of the Bulgarian community to the activity of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research as well.

On 16 September, the JINR Information Centre, the first in the European Union and ceremonially opened at the premised of the Faculty of Physics of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, started its work. In his speech at the IC opening ceremony, Director of the JINR International Cooperation Department Dmitry Kamanin presented the JINR IC network development and its work aimed at popularization of JINR activity, its opportunities and achievements, as well as at attracting to science of young people starting from their school days. He emphasized that the work of the Information Centre may significantly contribute to further development of international cooperation. An important part of JINR IC activity is education, and its development on the basis of IC in Sofia was in the focus of a presentation made by Director of JINR University Centre Stanislav Pakuliak. The Agreement on Opening of JINR Information Centre and the Agreement on Cooperation in Scientific-Research Activity and HR Development, aimed at widening cooperation between JINR and Sofia University in science, research, innovation, personnel training and popularization of natural science, were signed by Ltchesar Kostov and Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Prof. Anastas Gerdjikov within the frameworks of IC opening. The ceremony of opening of the Information Centre at the premises of Sofia University was reported by the Channel 1 of the Bulgarian State TV.

On 17 September, a festive scientific session “65 years of Bulgaria-JINR cooperation” will take place in the Central Military Club. Reports on the contribution of Bulgarian scientists to JINR development and participation of Bulgaria in the JINR-CERN cooperation are included in the agenda of the meeting. The topics of JINR research areas, including the particle physics, neutron physics, heavy ion physics and computing will be considered. Besides, the JINR Development Strategy up to 2030 and beyond will be presented.

Furthermore, the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency supported publication of the book “65 years of Bulgaria in JINR” within the frameworks of JINR anniversary year and the Year of Bulgaria in JINR. The book covers the history of JINR starting from its foundation up to present, the Institute’s laboratories and participation of Bulgarian researchers in each of them, as well as major events within cooperation – meetings, workshops, schools, etc.

Moreover, BNRA took part in shooting of interviews with some of the most eminent JINR scientists and the Bulgarian representatives working at the Institute. The videos are aimed at familiarizing the Bulgarian youth with the key JINR research projects, as well as with opportunities for training, career and professional development provided to young specialists.