The film “155 Years of BAS – The Living Spirit of the Founders“ by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ina Aneva, Scientific Secretary of the Biodiversity, Bioresources and Ecology Division of BAS, was selected and screened at this year’s edition of the prestigious Ethnografilm Festival in Paris. The screening took place on Easter Sunday at the iconic Parisian cinema Club de l’Étoile, next to the Arc de Triomphe.
The selection of the film to participate in the festival is a high recognition as Ethnografilm enjoys the support of a number of international scientific and academic organizations. Particularly significant among these is the involvement of the International Science Council (ISC) which recognises the role of documentary film as a vehicle for scientific communication and social dialogue.
The film was personally presented by Assoc. Prof. Ina Aneva who said:
„…I never imagined that one day I would step into the role of film director.
What led me down this unexpected path was my love for science, my deep admiration for the people who built this institution, and my desire to honor the dedication of the scientists who continue its mission today.
I fell in love with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. It is the oldest institution in the modern history of Bulgaria. It was established as the Bulgarian Learned Society in Braila, nine years before Bulgaria’s Liberation. 155 years ago, Bulgaria was still part of the Ottoman Empire. This is a story of unwavering faith in enlightenment and science as the basis for the progress of society. In the most difficult moments of statelessness and crisis, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences survived political and historical storms and established itself as a pillar of Bulgarian science, culture, and spirituality…”
Ethnografilm has been held annually since 2014 and is a platform for all kinds of documentary films that present cultural diversity, societal processes, significant and inspiring stories.
The session which featured the film “155 Years of BAS – The Living Spirit of the Founders,” was led by Prof. Gregory Scott, a professor at DePaul University and one of the festival’s directors. The Executive Director and prime mover of the Ethnografilm Festival is Prof. Wesley Shrum of Louisiana State University.
The participation of BAS in such an international forum once again highlights the high level of scientific and cultural communication that the Academy strives for as well as the potential of documentary film to present inspiring stories that connect science and society.
