Lectures devoted to Christmas and the eternal "book of books"-the Bible took place in "Sava Dobroplodni" Regional Library - Sliven

Lectures about Christmas took place, traditionally, in "Sava Dobroplodni" regional library from 3 to 9 December 2013. Guest lecturers this year were Bilyana Stoyanova - a theologian and the Associate Professor Marian Stoyadinov – a lecturer at the Orthodox faculty of the University of Veliko Tarnovo "St. St. Cyril and Methodius".

Bilyana Stoyanova graduated Philology and Theology in Veliko Tarnovo University. She is a lecturer in Bulgarian language and literature at the National High School of Arts "Dimitar Dobrovich" - Sliven. She also reads lectures in religion to primary school pupils. She is a member of the association "IHTIS" and of the church board of "St. Boris Baptizer"church - Sliven.

Associate Professor Dr. Marian Stoyadinov is a Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in the University of Veliko Tarnovo. He is lecturer in dogmatic theology at "Biblical and Systematic Theology" Department. He is a president of BOYA (Balkan Orthodox Youth Association) since its founding in 1997 to 2005 he is a host of "Iconostasis" on Nova TV.

In several days, on a preliminary schedule, students from fifth to eighth grade from II primary school "Hristo Botev", V secondary school "Peyo Yavorov", High school of natural sciences and mathematics  “Dobri Chintulov", High School of humanitarian sciences "Damyan Damyanov", etc., listened to 7 lectures on topic "Mystery of the Nativity feast" read by Bilyana Stoyanova. Through age-appropriate presentations the students learnt about the holiness, meaning and the symbolism of the Christmas holiday, they got involved in a quiz on the topic.

On December 9th, students from 8th to 12th grade from High school of natural sciences and mathematics  “Dobri Chintulov", High school of foreign languages "Zaharii Stoyanov", National High School of Arts " Dimitar Dobrovich", High School of humanitarian sciences "Damyan Damyanov", listened to 5 lectures on the topic "The Bible - a book of books" read by Associate Professor Dr. Marian Stoyadinov . The interesting presentation on the significance of the Bible, the emphasis on the eternal questions that it answers not only in a Christian, but also in a universal context, provoked many questions and interpretations and desire in great part of the students to read the Bible and try to understand it.

The style of presentation, of information, visualization, the ability of the audience also to ask questions, the free dialogue between speaker and listeners, the fun quiz prepared for younger students made lectures again interesting and useful for everyone.

During the days of the initiative, for five days, the lectures were attended by more than 500 students. Interest to lectures once again showed that libraries can and should support religious education and culture of young people for their integration to the general significance of Christian values ​​and teaching them religious tolerance. That is why, this initiative of "Sava Dobroplodni" will continue in future.