The exhibition “Bats of Vietnam” opened on January 7, 2025 at the Earth and Man National Museum. The exhibition reflects the research carried out within the framework of the agreement on bilateral scientific cooperation between the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The organizer of the event is the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research of BAS, and the main drivers are Assoc. Prof. Dr. Heliana Dundarova (project leader) and Mr. Ladislav Tsvetkov (photographer and multimedia reporter BTV).
The exhibition takes us into the magical world of bats – key representatives of biodiversity and an important component in maintaining the balance of nature. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dundarova shared her first steps in science, the exciting encounters with bats, the challenges of field work and the excitement of the results. Mr. Tsvetkov stressed the great importance of making reportages with scientists as they speak based on sound, scientific data. Prof. Dr. Boyko Georgiev (Chairman of the Scientific Council of IBER – BAS) shared about the long-standing cooperation of the institute with VAST, the significant expeditions of Bulgarian scientists in Vietnam and the importance of the joint project of Assoc. Prof. Dundarova, studying the role of bats as carriers of viral infections dangerous to humans. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ina Aneva (Scientific Secretary of the Biodiversity, Bioresources and Ecology Division of BAS) congratulated the organizers of the impressive exhibition, emphasizing the great contribution of Assoc. Prof. Dundarova whose research not only broadened the scientific horizons but also had a direct impact on nature conservation and human health. Welcoming words on behalf of the Bulgarian Caving Society were delivered by the doyen of Bulgarian speleology Mr. Alexey Zhalov and by Dr. Kamen Bonev.
The exhibition can be seen at the Earth and Man National Museum until 16 January 2025.
