BTA. Special Event Marks Second Anniversary of Inclusion of RSV 421 to Varna Naval Academy Fleet

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS/BTA.A special event Thursday marked the second anniversary of the inclusion of the naval research vessel (RSV 421) Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii in the fleet of the Varna Naval Academy. “For two years, the crew of RSV 421 achieved things that others only dream of for decades,” Bulgarian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov said in an address to the guests at the ceremony.

The celebration began with a military ritual of welcoming the Navy Commander and raising the national flag and the ship's colors.

Among the guests were Environment and Water Minister Julian Popov, former Varna Governor Mario Smarkov and his successor, Andriana Andreeva, who has just stepped in office, Varna Deputy Mayor Kosta Bazitov. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the academic community from Varna and nearby Burgas, state institutions, the maritime sector. Among the guests was BTA Director General Kiril Valchev.

Rear Admiral Mihailov stressed that the first mission of RSV 421 - a voyage to Antarctica, was historic. He congratulated the crew for having coped brilliantly with their tasks.

The naval Academy Chief, Flotilla Admiral Boyan Mednikarov also expressed gratitude for the service of the seamen. He congratulated them for their perseverance and courage, for their hard work and efforts during their first mission. According to Mednikarov, the sailors “wrote glorious pages in Bulgarian naval history”.

On the occasion of the anniversary and for outstanding service and achievements, he bestowed honours on the ship crew. He also presented diplomas to companies and organizations that assisted in the preparation of the ship and its voyage to Antarctica.

Flute player Theodosii Spassov performed for the guests during the event.

BTA Director General Kiril Valchev grabbed the opportunityto present the latest issue of LIK magazine: a special English-language edition dedicated to the ship's voyage to Antarctica. The issue is titled "To Antarctica and back under the Bulgarian flag". Valchev explained that the title makes a reference to the famous travelogue "To Chicago and Back" by Bulgarian classic Aleko Konstantinov, and said that the important goal has been to give Bulgarian science greater visibility.

(This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.)