About us
History of encyclopedic work in the world
An encyclopedia is a reference scientific publication that, in a concise form, sets out the totality of knowledge of all fields of science and important world events at a given time (general encyclopedia) or of a specific field of knowledge dedicated to one or several fields of science (specialized, sectoral) . Various types of articles can be included in the composition: short, detailed, overview, biographical, terminological, etc., systematized in alphabetical or thematic order. The name originates from the Greek concept ἐγκύκλιος παιδεία meaning “general education”.
History of encyclopedic work in Bulgaria
The encyclopedic tradition in Bulgaria takes us to the time of Tsar Simeon I (ca. 864–927). As a kind of encyclopedias, researchers define Simeon’s Collections – two large, almost entirely translated medieval monuments that have reached us in Russian copies. The first (transcribed in 1073) contains 385 excerpts from the writings of about 30 early Christian church writers. The content reflects the encyclopedic interests of the scribes of the Symeonian circle in the 10th century – it covers issues of theology, ethics, logic, grammar, poetics, philosophy, history, botany, astronomy, etc.
Mission and Goals
NC “Bulgarian Encyclopedia” successfully fulfills the educational mission of the BAS – to present Bulgarian and world science to the public in a popular science form. NCBE prepares monolingual and bilingual publications with the aim of popularizing world and Bulgarian history, science, culture, natural resources, cultural monuments, intangible cultural heritage, as well as the achievements of Bulgarian scientists from all fields of science among a wide Bulgarian and foreign readership.
Structure
Proven experts in a variety of scientific fields work at the NC “Bulgarian Encyclopedia” National Academy of Sciences. In addition, the Science Information Center attracts a large number of external authors and consultants who contribute to the content of the encyclopedias.
Library
The library of the Scientific Information Center “Bulgarian Encyclopedia” is a multidisciplinary scientific library, created as an independent, simultaneously with the “Bulgarian Encyclopedia” service at the BAS in 1955, later “Bulgarian Encyclopedia”.
With its fund of over 6,000 library documents, it makes a significant contribution to building the library and information resources in the BAS system.
Awards
A special pride for the Scientific Information Center “Bulgarian Encyclopedia” is the awarding of the institution with honorary awards. In 1981, the State Council of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria awarded the Scientific Information Center “Bulgarian Encyclopedia” with the Order “Cyril and Methodius” 1st degree for significant results achieved in the development of the encyclopedic work in Bulgaria and in connection with 25 years since its establishment.
Regulations
The National Center “Bulgarian Encyclopedia” at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is guided and organizes its work according to clear internal rules set out in normative documents, and publishes the results of its scientific research activities in an annual report.
