The University of Brasilia, in the capital of Brazil, has awarded an honorary doctorate to Bulgarian diplomat and Latin American Studies Professor Rumen Stoyanov, announced the Bulgarian Embassy in Brasilia.

Prof. Rumen Stoyanov spent 18 years of his life in Latin America; for 10 of those he was Bulgaria's Cultural Attache in the Brazilian capital.

He first started his studies of Brazil and Brazilian literature and society back in 1969. His CV also features 5 semesters of teaching at the University of Brasilia, including 4 semesters of teachnig Bulgarian language and culture, and one semester of teaching on Brazil's literary presence in Bulgaria.

Prof. Stoyanov has been awarded an honorary doctorate because of his contribution to the promotion of Brazilian culture and literature as a diplomat, translator, and university professor.

University of Brasilia President Jose Geraldo de Sousa Junior, who presented the honorary degree to Stoyanov, praised the Bulgarian scholar and diplomat, and pointed out that the members of the university's academic council voted unanimously to award it to Stoyanov.

In his speech at the ceremony, the Bulgarian professor mentioned the key moments in the study of Brazilian culture and literature in Bulgaria.

The ceremony also featured the musical play "Rondo 1" which is authored by Bulgarian composer Preslav Stoyanov, the son of Rumen Stoyanov, who is a graduate of the University of Brasilia.

For his contribution to the University of Brasilia, the Bulgarian scholar was also awarded a diploma by the Legislative Assembly of the Federal District of Brasilia.

At present there are four Bulgarians working at the University of Brasilia, which turned 50 in 2012, the Bulgarian Embassy in Brazil said.

Prof. Rumen Stoyanov has thus become the first Bulgarian ever to receive an honorary doctorate from a university in Brazil or all of Latin America.

Other people who were awarded the honorary doctorate of the University of Brasilia are Charles de Gaulle, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tuty, Dalai Lama.

The ceremony for Rumen Stoyanov's honorary degree was also attended by Bulgarian Ambassador to Brazil Charvdar Nikolov who is in his second term and is credited with contributing to expanding the ties between Bulgaria and Brazil.

Prof. Rumen Stoyanov is known to the readers of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency). On November 1, 2010, the largest Bulgarian English-language media published an interview with Rumen Stoyanov on the occasion of the election of Dilma Rousseff, who is of Bulgarian origin, as the President of Brazil.

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