The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) marked Tuesday the 141st anniversary of its establishment in the grim backdrop of staff and budget cuts.

The ceremony was attended by Education Minister, Sergey Ignatov, the Speaker of the Parliament , Tsetska Tsacheva, the Sofia Mayor, Yordanka Fandakova, and Members of the Parliament.

The keynote address of the BAS President, Nikola Sabotinov, focused on the problems created by the reform of the Academy.

Sabotinov pointed out 500 scientists have retired in the last two years and have been replaced by way fewer young researchers while budget cuts do not allow hiring more staff.

Other complaints included reduction of the number of BAS institutes, their administration and the fact the Academy has not been granted the right to use its budget as necessary, in addition to the drastic budget cuts.

The President stated Bulgaria has twice less scientists per capita than other European countries and the Academy is now isolated from the society.

Ignatov, Fandakova, and Tsacheva, all congratulated the researchers, offered high praise for their work and asked them to be understanding about the cuts triggered by the economic crisis with promises for a much brighter future.

BAS was founded on October 12, 1869 in Braila, Romania under the name Bulgarian Literary Society.

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