The anniversary edition “150 years of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Temple of Knowledge” presents BAS as a leading scientific center with a 150-year tradition in the organization of scientific activity and significant scientific achievements in all fields of knowledge.
The first part “Academy in the 21st century” focuses on the organization of the modern scientific structure, which unites 42 autonomous scientific institutes, 8 specialized units and the community of academics. All institutes from the nine scientific fields are presented with texts and rich illustrative material related to their contemporary activities. The museums are richly illustrated and set out in a separate section, emphasizing “unforgettable encounters with science”. Separate topics are devoted to the scientific potential and the key role of the BAS in national scientific programs and projects, to the expert potential of the BAS for the benefit of society and the state. Educational, publishing and international activities are shown.
The second part, “The scientific organization over the years”, traces in an extended chronicle the main stages and processes in the history of the Academy from its establishment as the Bulgarian Literary Society until today. Short biographical articles present the founders and presidents of the scientific organization.
The third part “Development of science at BAS” is a first attempt in a popular science style to show all the most significant scientific achievements. Separate articles are dedicated to the first scientists and their discoveries and inventions – some of world importance. In addition to historical periodization, the texts are also arranged by scientific fields. For the modern scientific institutes of the BAS, the significant scientific developments and achievements that were not noted in the first part of the book are given, thus expanding the idea of the scientific activity of the BAS over the years.
The guidelines for the future development of the Academy are synthesized in the final part of the book, dedicated to the BAS Development Strategy for 2018-2030.
The book was developed and compiled by a team of the Scientific Information Center “Bulgarian Encyclopedia” at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences under the leadership of the Editorial Board, with the help of scientific consultants from all scientific fields and with the active support of the Chairman of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
The anniversary edition is luxurious and richly illustrated. Its artistic design and publication are the work of the BAS Publishing House.
The book is the first encyclopedic edition of its kind for the BAS, covering all topics related to the diverse scientific activity and rich history of the Academy. The publication is bilingual – in Bulgarian and in English, and is of interest to both Bulgarian and foreign readers.
2020, ISBN 978-954-8104-41-8, 978-954-322-000-7
