The National Museum of Natural History, Sofia took part in the 15th Sofia Science Festival

The program of the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia for the 15th Sofia Science Festival included an information stand, two workshops for children, one exhibition and four presentations on the festival stage.

“Bat researcher: is there such a profession?” was the presentation by Sen. Assist. Dr Violeta Zhelyazkova, who tells what it is like to be a bat researcher and why sometimes it is scary, other times — funny, but always interesting and exciting.

“In search of the secret treasures of Bulgaria and the “deadly” threats lurking in Bulgarian caves” was presented by scientists from three research institutions – the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, New Bulgarian University and the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Microbiome Sector. They shared their experience and results from a three-year study of life in caves in search of deadly threats to the entire world, when infection easily crosses borders.

“The Island of Dinosaurs” was the title of the presentation by Assist. Vladimir Nikolov, who presented new data from the Tran dinosaur deposit, collected over the past 8 years. It includes new information on the taxonomic diversity of the fossil fauna, the natural environment and conditions for the burial of bones, the composition of the plant world and the climate.

Dr Svetlozara Kazandzhieva, postdoctoral fellow at the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, dedicated her presentation “The Godfather of the Living World” to the 290th anniversary of the publication of the first edition of “Systema Naturae” by the Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus.

Nadezhda Apostolova, botanist at the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, conducted two workshops “Explorers of Plants” with over 100 students from grades 1 to 4. Together, they took on the role of researchers and observed the plants, recognizing them with the help of descriptive notes and played games to remember their names and features.

On May 11, at 7:30 p.m., the finalists from the fifth selection round in the country, including the Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island, gathered in the COSMOS hall, among whom were Dr Stanimira Deleva, who represented NMNHS in the national final of FameLab Bulgaria 2025.

SYMBIOSIS, the first joint exhibition of the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia and the National Academy of Arts, Sofia was presented at the festival and on stage by the 13 students, authors of the exhibition.

The stand of the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia offers products with a cause, including the issues of NMNHS — a book “Dragonflies of Bulgaria” by Dr Milen Marinov, “Titans’ Song: A Story of Dinosaurs” by Vladimir Nikolov, and “While Larks Sing” by Nikolay Boev, as well as other merchandise with the museum’s logo.

The income from these sales goes towards support for the palaeontological expeditions near the town of Tran and the ornithological research of the Durankulak Bird Ringing Camp.