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The young Bulgarian scientist Stanimira Deleva is from Plovdiv. She is a biologist and cave explorer. She graduated from EG “Ivan Vazov”. We present her opinion on her Facebook page regarding the controversial “Vazrazhdane” bill, led by Kostadin Kostadinov.
My name is Stanimira Deleva and I am a biologist, I work as a bat researcher. I am the author of articles published in scientific journals. For the past 6 years, my research has been funded by organizations such as National Geographic, Bat Conservation International, and many more. I received scholarships to work at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. I am proud of the support these foundations have given me, which I feel I fully deserve. My research on bats and caves has taken me to many places in the world, and every time I go back to Bulgaria I am happy to tell my adventures in front of children and young people.
According to the Revival Party, I did something wrong and should register as a foreign agent. The new bill will make it impossible for me to pursue my profession as a scientist in Bulgaria. Also: I will not be allowed to work with children.
The new Revival bill will do the impossible. I – a young scientist with experience abroad – will stay in Bulgaria.
Until recently, we joked that if revivalists came to power, they would start persecuting intellectuals. I don’t find it fun anymore.
The “Revival” bill stipulates that anyone who has received over BGN 1,000 in funding from a foreign source within one year must register as a “foreign agent” with the Ministry of Justice – under the threat of a hefty fine, ranging from BGN 1,000 to BGN. 5,000 for natural persons and from 5,000 BGN to 10,000 BGN for legal persons. To pass this law, 121 votes are required in the National Assembly.
