On May 20, 2021, in Hall 1 of the Rectorate of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," Prof. Dr. Emanuel Mutafov gave an open lecture on the topic: "Bulgarian royal blood in the heart of Constantinople!?" The lecture was dedicated to the feast day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education, culture, and Slavic literature.
The event attracted considerable interest from the media and a specialist audience of academics, students, and pupils from the St. Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher National High School of Ancient Languages and Cultures.
In his lecture, Prof. Mutafov noted:
"After the fall of Constantinople, the Chora Monastery in Istanbul was converted into a temple dedicated to Islam. That is why today it is known as the Kariye Mosque. After World War II, the building was restored and has since functioned as a museum. Unfortunately, today the Chora Monastery has suffered the same fate as the Hagia Sophia and has been converted into a functioning mosque!
Books are not enough. Every physical touch of the historical monument is very important.
Every scientific effort in the field of Byzantine art is an attempt to glimpse our intimate essence in our communion with God."
Listen to Prof. Emanuel Mutafov's participation in the Bulgarian National Radio program "Horizon Before Lunch" here >>
