About
Mission
The Center for Bulgarian Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), Republic of Korea is dedicated to the promotion and understanding of Bulgarian culture, language, history and contemporary society.
Established in 2019, Center for Bulgarian Studies stands as a testament to the growing interest and appreciation for Bulgarian Studies in Korea and beyond.
Our primary mission is to conduct in-depth research on various aspects of Bulgarian Studies, bridging connections and fostering collaboration among experts in the field, both from Korea and across the globe. We are committed to advancing Bulgarian Studies as a discipline and creating a myriad of opportunities for students and emerging specialists in this field. One of our key objectives is to provide accurate and comprehensive expert information on Bulgaria, thereby enhancing the academic and cultural relations between Bulgaria and Korea, as well as between academic and educational institutions of the two nations
The Center actively engages in a wide range of activities, such as organizing conferences that serve as platforms for scholarly discourse, publishing an academic journal "International Review of Bulgarian Studies" in both online and offline formats annually, and hosting various lectures and cultural events that celebrate and disseminate Bulgarian culture. We make efforts make Bulgarian literature accessible and known to the Korean readers by educating expert translators who provide high quality translations of Bulgarian literary works into Korean. We also actively promote interactions and exchanges between the Bulgarian community in Korea and our Bulgarian Studies students, and are continuously exploring opportunities to provide scholarships and internships to enrich our students' educational experience.
Partnerships and Cooperation
We work in close collaboration with the Department of Greek and Bulgarian Studies at HUFS. This partnership supports the educational process in Bulgarian Studies, benefiting both students and faculty members.
The Center maintains vibrant working relations with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Korea and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Bulgaria, with both institutions providing strong administrative and logistic support for our activities.
A key element in our work is our partnership with Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. Initiated and supported by the Faculty of History at Sofia University, this collaboration has been instrumental in the Center’s establishment. It facilitates the exchange of faculty and students between HUFS and Sofia University through programs like Erasmus+. We also maintain close ties with Sofia University's Department of Korean Studies and Faculty of Philosophy, engaging in various academic and student exchanges, joint virtual classrooms, and collaborative projects, particularly in the fields of comparative area studies, politics, international security, and EU studies.
Our partnerships extend also to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, including the Institute of Literature, the Institute of Bulgarian Language, and the Council for Bulgarian Studies Abroad. These collaborations enrich our research and academic capabilities, allowing us to offer a more comprehensive educational experience.
Vision
Looking ahead, the Center for Bulgarian Studies at HUFS envisions an expansion of our research activities and participation in international projects. We aim to create even more opportunities for academic mobility and exchange with colleagues from universities in Asia and around the world, thereby contributing to the global understanding and appreciation of Bulgarian Studies.