Forum Stage at Trakia University – Stara Zagora was transformed into a vibrant celebration of cultures, friendship, and academic community during the international gathering “The Academic Family of Trakia University – A Celebration of Cultural Diversity,” organized on the occasion of May 15 – International Day of Families. 

The event brought together students, lecturers, staff members, and guests from Bulgaria, Turkey, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, China, Afghanistan, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, as well as participants in the Erasmus+ International Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP).

An official welcome address was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Gabriela Kiryakova, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, who emphasized the importance of intercultural dialogue and international cooperation within the academic environment.

The impressive international showcase began with the beautiful Suad Masud from Bangladesh, while the participants presented traditional attire and cultural identities from different countries around the world. The finale of the fashion presentation featured Ralitsa Atanasova, dressed in a traditional Trakia folk costume characteristic of the Stara Zagora region.

A special highlight of the program was the presentation of authentic Trun folk costumes, crafted more than a century ago, by Prof. Zlatinka Kazlacheva, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Technics and Technologies – Yambol. She spoke about the symbolism, colors, and traditions woven into Bulgarian folk costumes, which have become a living connection between generations.

Part of the program also included a presentation of the Bulgarian tradition “Prosthapulnik” by Rositsa Ganeva from the Faculty of Education, through which international students had the opportunity to learn more about Bulgarian traditions, family values, and customs passed down through generations.

The true heart of the event, however, was the international table around which dozens of students from different countries socialized, took photos, explored unfamiliar flavors, and formed new friendships. The tables were filled with traditional dishes from various cultures — Nigerian fried rice, Spanish tortilla, Greek gemista, çiğ köfte, Turkish delight and Turkish coffee, as well as a rich variety of Bulgarian specialties — Trakia-style stuffed cabbage rolls with beef, beans with sausages and wild mushrooms in a clay pot, sheep sazdarma, tutmanik, banitsa, trienitsa, kopista, grape and cabbage stuffed rolls, moussaka, Shopska salad, Snow White salad, and traditional ceremonial boiled wheat.

The atmosphere was filled with music, smiles, and spontaneous conversations among people from different cultures, who together demonstrated that Trakia University is much more than a place for education — it is also a space for friendships, shared experiences, and human connection.

The event was organized with the support of the Erasmus+ Programme.