Rositsa Lelyova

Assoc. Prof. Rositsa Lelyova

rossi_leliova(at)abv(dot)bg

1. RESEARCH INTERESTS:

  • National questions
  • History of institutions
  • Church history

2. ACADEMIC CAREER:

Education:

  • 2003 – PhD in History, following the defense of a dissertation on „The Bulgarian Urban Municipalities in Macedonia (1878–1903)“, under the supervision of Prof. D.Sc. Dimitar Gotsev.
  • 1997–2003 – Full-time doctoral student at Sofia University „St. Kliment Ohridski”.
  • 1996 – Master’s degree in History, Sofia University „St. Kliment Ohridski”; second major in Journalism.

Positions Held:

  • 2008 – Research Associate at the Institute of History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)
  • 2005–2006 – Organizational Secretary at the Macedonian Scientific Institute – Sofia
  • 2004–2005 – Public Relations Officer (PR) at the National Institute of Archaeology with Museum, BAS

Academic Degree and Title

  • 2022 – Associate Professor at the Institute for Historical Studies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)
  • 2011 – Senior Assistant Professor at the Institute for Historical Studies, BAS
  • 2008 – Research Associate II Degree at the Institute of History, BAS
  • 2003 – PhD (Doctorate in History)

Membership in Scholarly Organizations and Associations

  • Macedonian Scientific Institute – Sofia

Participation in Joint Research Projects:

  • 2023 – 2025 – Project by the Institute of Historical Research – In the Tracks of Bygone Times: Institutions, Events, Personalities.
  • 2021–2024 – Project by the Institute for Historical Studies: „The Specifics of the Modernization of Bulgarian Society during the ‘Long 19th Century’”
  • 2016–2017 – Project by the Institute for Historical Studies: „Modern Nations and the Role of Elites in Their Formation and Development”
  • 2014–2015 – Project by the Institute for Historical Studies: „The Great War (1914–1918) and the Bulgarians: Politics, Ideology, Society”

Individual Research Project:

2008–2013 – The Bulgarian Urban Municipalities in Macedonia (1903–1912)

Languages:

Russian, English

3. PUBLICATIONS:

А: Individual Monographs:

  • „The Bulgarian Urban Municipalities in Macedonia, 1878–1903“
    Sofia, 2016, 360 pages. ISBN 978-619-176-089-3.
  • „On the Spiritual Front from Ilinden to the Balkan War: The Bulgarian Exarchate and Exarchate Institutions in Macedonia (1903–1912)“
    Sofia, 2021. Published by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Prof. Marin Drinov Academic Publishing House, 287 pages. ISBN 978-619-245-107-3.

C: Studies and Articles:

  • Church-National and Social Activities of the Bulgarian Urban Municipalities in Macedonia (1878–1903). – In: Macedonian Review, issue 4, 2003, pp. 103–133. ISSN 0861-277.
  • Structure and Organization of the Bulgarian Urban Municipalities in Macedonia (1878–1903). – In: Macedonian Review, issue 4, 2004, pp. 61–91. ISSN 0861-277.
  • The Political Status of the Bulgarian Urban Municipalities in Macedonia and Their Relations with the Ottoman Authorities (1878–1903). – In: Macedonian Review, issue 4, 2006, pp. 39–81. ISSN 0861-277.
  • The Bulgarian Urban Municipalities in Macedonia (1878–1903): Structure, Organization, and Competences. – In: Imagines Mundi. Almanac of Global History Studies, 16th–20th Century. Series „Balkanica“, Vol. 1, Yekaterinburg, 2007, pp. 40–66. ISBN 5-8295-00017-6.
  • The Bulgarian Municipalities in Macedonia – The Invaluable Warriors on the Silent Front. – In: In Search of the National Ideal, 1878–1913, Blagoevgrad, 2009, pp. 119–124.
  • The Resistance of the Bulgarian Church Communities Against Greek Propaganda in Macedonia (1878–1903). – In: Macedonian Review, 2010, issue 3, pp. 69–84. ISSN 0861-277.
  • The Educational Activities of the Bulgarian Church Communities in Macedonia (1878–1903). – In: Education and Change, Sofia, 2010, pp. 314–334.
  • The Bulgarian Church Communities in Macedonia (1878–1903) – Status and Structural-Organizational Issues. – In: Proceedings of the Bulgarian Historical Society, Vol. 41, Sofia, 2011, pp. 279–288. ISSN 0081-1122.
  • The Principle of Preserving the Church Status Quo and Its Application in Macedonia (1904–1905). – In: Macedonian Review, issue 2, 2012, pp. 25–48. ISSN 0861-277.
  • The Chairmen of the Bulgarian Church Communities in Macedonia – Individuals with a Mission. – In: Proceedings of the Stara Zagora Historical Museum, Vol. IV, The Individual in History, Stara Zagora, 2011, pp. 402–408. ISSN 1314-4510.
  • The Constantinople Newspaper Vesti – An Archive of Memory for the Bulgarian Urban Municipalities in Macedonia. – In: The City and Memory, Pazardzhik, 2012, pp. 293–299. ISBN 978-954-917-409-0.
  • The Issue of Disputed Churches and Schools in Macedonia, 1904–1910. – In: Historical Review, issues 5–6, 2012, Sofia 2014, pp. 41–75. ISSN 0323-9748.
  • Maintaining the Church Status Quo in Macedonia after the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising – A Matter of Principle or a Tactical Move? – In: From the Regional to the National, Veliko Tarnovo, 2012, pp. 110–117. ISBN 978-954-427-966-0.
  • The Bulgarian Municipalities in Macedonia Between Ottoman Rule and European Reformers. – In: Journey to Bulgaria. Bulgaria in the World Cultural Heritage, Shumen, 2014, pp. 956–970. ISBN 978-954-577-869-8.
  • Municipal Affairs in Thessaloniki (1904–1906) Through the Eyes of Evtim Sprostranov. – In: 110 Years Since the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising and the Bulgarian National Idea from San Stefano to Bucharest (1878–1913), Sofia, 2014, pp. 371–383. ISBN 978-954-2903-11-6.
  • The Bulgarian Local Exarchate Institutions in Macedonia in the Post-Ilinden Period and Their Relations with the Ottoman Authorities. – In: Historical Review, issues 5–6, 2013, Sofia 2015, pp. 196–223. ISSN 0323-9748.
  • Bulgarian Educational Efforts in Macedonia in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries – Challenges and Problems. – In: Journey to Bulgaria. Bulgaria in European Science, Culture, Education, Religion (Part Two), Shumen, 2015, pp. 105–114. ISBN 978-619-201-050-8.
  • Contradictions and Problems in the Bulgarian Municipal Administrations in Macedonia in the Last Quarter of the 19th Century. – In: Library, issue 5, 2016, pp. 94–101. ISSN 0861-847X.
  • Relations Between Local Exarchate Bodies in Macedonia and IMRO – Late 19th to Early 20th Century. – In: Historical Review, issues 3–4, 2014, Sofia 2016, pp. 59–87. ISSN 0323-9748.
  • The Exarchate Administration in the Diocese of Debar During the First World War Through the Eyes of Archimandrite Kiril. – In: The First World War in the Balkans and Bulgaria’s Entry (1914–1915), Sofia, 2017, pp. 362–370. ISBN 978-954-2903-28-4.
  • s the Question of the Disputed Churches in Macedonia Really Disputed? – In: Historical Review, issues 1–2, 2026 (published 2017), pp. 42–50. ISSN 0323-9748.
  • Consolidation and Expansion of the Bulgarian Exarchate Authority in Macedonia after the Berlin Congress. – Proceedings of the Institute for Historical Studies, vol. 34, Sofia, 2017, pp. 89–112. ISSN 2367-5187.
  • Organizational Changes in the Bulgarian Exarchate after the Young Turk Coup (1908–1909). – Macedonian Review, issue 2, 2018, pp. 71–78. ISSN 0861-2277.
  • The Mürzsteg Reforms in Macedonia – Hope or Disappointment? – In: Ideas and Ideals – Rise and Collapse, Ruse, 2019, pp. 287–296. ISBN 978-619-7404-08-1.
  • The Bulgarian Exarchate after the Young Turk Coup – The Struggle on the Silent Front Continues. – In: Journey to Bulgaria. Bulgaria and the Bulgarians: Way of Life, Mentality, and National Identity, Shumen, 2020, pp. 273–279. ISBN 978-619-201-378-3.
  • Problems and Challenges for the Bulgarian Exarchate and Its Local Authorities in the Years of the „Hurriyet.” – Bulgarian Historical Review, 2019 (2020), issues 3–4, pp. 119–152. ISSN 0204-8906.
  • Achievements and Challenges of the Bulgarian Exarchate in Macedonia at the End of the 19th – Beginning of the 20th Century. – 18 pages – Forthcoming in: 150 Years of the Bulgarian Exarchate (Proceedings of the scholarly conference „150 Years of the Bulgarian Exarchate,” Sofia, October 29, 2020).
  • The Difficult Path After Ilinden: Gains and Losses in the Exarchate’s Activities. – In: Pleven Historical Readings: „Crises as Catharsis – Political, Social, Economic and Cultural Dimensions of Extreme Situations in History”, Pleven 2022, pp. 164–172. ISBN 978-619-207-253-7.
  • Two Sides of the Coin: The Exarchate and IMRO in an Ideological Clash Over the Path to Progress. – In: Pleven Historical Readings: Revolutions and Evolutions – Political, Economic, Technological, Cultural and Social Dimensions of „Progress”. (Proceedings of a national scholarly conference, Pleven, November 11–12, 2022), Pleven 2023, pp. 184–195. „Mediatech” – Pleven. ISBN 978-619-91027-1-8 (Print), 978-619-91027-2-5 (PDF), ISSN 2815-5106 (Print), 2815-5114 (PDF).
  • On the Diplomatic Stage: Highlights from the Activities of Atanas Shopov as Bulgarian Commercial Agent in Thessaloniki. – In: Local Elites and the Modernization of Bulgarian Society During the „Long 19th Century”, pp. 27–39. In Memory of Atanas Petrov Shopov (1855–1922), Regular Member of the Bulgarian Literary Society/Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Proceedings from the national scholarly conference, Panagyurishte, October 11–12, 2022. Panagyurishte, 2023. Faber Publishing. ISBN 978-619-00-1709-7.
  • From a Bird’s-Eye View: The Exarchate’s Ecclesiastical and Municipal Work in Macedonia at the Turn of Two Centuries. – In: Jubilee Collection in Honor of the 70th Anniversary of Prof. D.Sc. Lizbet Lyubenova, Sofia, 2023, pp. 400–411. Pre Print BG. ISBN 978-619-7606-09-6.
  • In the Spirit of the Hürriyet. Structural and Organizational Changes of the Exarchate in the Educational and Social Sphere. In: Journey to Bulgaria. Science, Education, Cultural-Historical Heritage. Collection of Papers from the Eighth National Conference on History, Archaeology, and Cultural Tourism. In Memory of Prof. Dr. Ivan Yordanov. Shumen, May 9–11, 2022. Shumen: University Publishing House „Bishop Konstantin Preslavski”, 2024, pp. 261–268, ISBN 978-619-201-806-1 (print), ISBN 978-619-201-814-6 (ebook).
  • Reforms in the European Vilayets of the Ottoman Empire at the End of the 19th Century – From Inevitable Necessity to Foretold Failure. In: In the Spiral of Time: People, Ideas, Spaces, and Events. Collection of Articles from a Scientific Conference in Honor of the 75th Anniversary of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vasilka Tankova and the Founding of the Regional History Museum – Plovdiv, Plovdiv, October 13–15, 2023. Plovdiv, 2023, pp. 338–349, ISBN 978-619-7091-29-8.
  • The Bulgarians in European Turkey in a New Role: Electoral Struggles and Parliamentary Affairs in the Years of the Hürriyet. – Forthcoming in: Problems of the Modernization of Bulgarian Society during the „Long 19th Century.” Collection of Papers from the National Scholarly Conference, Sofia, October 6–7, 2023, 25 pages.
  • Under the Sign of the Murzsteg Reforms: Macedonia through the Eyes of Hieromonk Neofit. — Forthcoming in Proceedings of the Institute of Historical Research, Vol. 41. In the Tracks of Bygone Times: Institutions, Events, Personalities. Collection in honor of Prof. Dr. Yordanka Gesheva. 39 pages.
  • On the Symbiosis between the Bulgarian Municipalities and the Exarchate in Macedonia at the End of the 19th – Beginning of the 20th Century. Forthcoming in Pleven Historical Readings: Conflicts and Understandings in History. Pleven, 2024, 12 pages.

D: Scientific reports, reviews, and critiques:

  • The Macedonian Scientific Institute and Some Contemporary Aspects of the National Issue (General Annual Meeting of the MSI), (co-authored with Prof. Svetlozar Eldarov) – Macedonian Review, no. 3, 2006, pp. 149-153.
  • International Scientific Conference „Bulgaria and Russia – Between Gratitude and Pragmatism“ – Sofia 2008. – Bulgarian Historical Review, no. 1-2, 2008, pp. 237-245, (co-authored with Research Associate Dr. Voin Bozhinov). ISSN 0204-8906.
  • Review of a project presented at the session of the Student Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in November 2015: „Zahari Stoyanov – Inspiration and Example for Young Bulgarians“ (authors: Bozhidara Kiryakova, Emanuila Gavrailova, Yoana Kisyova, and Maria Merdzhanova – Ivan Vazov Language High School, Plovdiv).

Е: Others:

May 18, 2005 – 100 Years Later, National Museum of Archaeology (100 Years from the Opening of the First Exhibition 18.V.1905 – 18.V.2005), Sofia, 2006, (collective).

F: Edited Volumes and Compilations

  • Compiler of the volume „The Independence of Bulgaria – A View from the 21st Century” – Proceedings from the international scientific conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Proclamation of Bulgarian Independence, September 2008. (Compilers: Rositsa Stoyanova, Rumyana Parvanova, Rositsa Lelyova). Sofia, 2010, ISBN 978-954-2903-02-4.
  • Documentary collection „The Bulgarians and the Great War”, 528 pages. Sofia, 2016. ISBN 978-954-2903-24-6. Archimandrite Kiril of Rila – Brief Memories from My Administration of the Dioceses of Drama and Debar from 1910 to 1920, pp. 341–354.
  • Compiler and scientific editor of the volume „Local Elites and the Modernization of Bulgarian Society During the ‘Long 19th Century’”. A collection in memory of Atanas Petrov Shopov (1855–1922), full member of the Bulgarian Literary Society/Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Collection of materials from the national scientific conference, Panagyurishte, October 11–12, 2022. Panagyurishte, 2023, 256 pages. „Faber” Publishing. Compilers and scientific editors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. A. Shopov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pl. Bozhinov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Lelyova. ISBN 978-619-00-1709-7.
  • Compiler and scientific editor of the volume Proceedings of the Institute of Historical Research, Vol. XL. Traditions and Modernity: Bulgarian Society in the Long 19th Century. Editorial board: P. Peykovska, R. Stoyanova, Pl. Bozhinov (responsible editor), R. Lelyova, M. Levkova-Muchinova. (Forthcoming)
  • Compiler and scientific editor of the volume Proceedings of the Institute of Historical Research, Vol. XLI. In the Tracks of Bygone Times: Institutions, Events, Personalities. Collection in honor of Prof. Dr. Yordanka Gesheva. Editorial board: R. Stoyanova (responsible editor), P. Peykovska, R. Lelyova, A. Strezova, D. Gotseva. (Forthcoming)

4. Participation in Academic Forums:

  • Participated with the paper „The Bulgarian Municipalities in Macedonia – the Invaluable Wars on the Silent Front“ at the international academic conference „In Search of the National Ideal, 1878–1913“, held in Blagoevgrad, 2008.
  • Participated with the paper „The Bulgarian Church Communities in Macedonia (1878–1903) – Status and Structural-Organizational Issues“ at the national academic conference of the Bulgarian Historical Society „Bulgarian Institutions Through the Centuries“, Sofia, 2008.
  • Participated with the paper „The Educational Activity of the Bulgarian Church Communities in Macedonia (1878–1903)“ at the international interdisciplinary round table „Education and Change“, Sofia, 2009.
  • Participated with the paper „The Chairmen of the Bulgarian Church Communities in Macedonia – Personalities with a Mission“ at the national academic conference „The Individual in History“, held in Stara Zagora, April 22–23, 2010.
  • Participated with the paper „Preserving the Ecclesiastical Status Quo in Macedonia after the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising – a Matter of Principle or a Tactical Move?“ at the 5th National Academic Conference „From Regional to National“, held on September 5–6, 2011, in Polski Trambesh.
  • Participated with the paper „The Bulgarian Urban Communities in Macedonia in the Pages of the Newspaper ‘Vesti’ (1904–1908)“ at the national academic conference „City and Memory“, held on October 13–14, 2011, in Pazardzhik.
  • Participated with the paper „The Bulgarian Communities in Macedonia Between Ottoman Rule and European Reformers“ at the 3rd National Conference on Archaeology, History and Cultural Tourism „Journey to Bulgaria: Bulgaria in the World Cultural Heritage“, held on May 17–19, 2012, in Shumen.
  • Participated with the paper „Municipal Affairs in Thessaloniki 1904–1906 through the Eyes of Evtim Sprostranov“ at the international academic conference „The National Idea from San Stefano to Bucharest, 1878–1913“, held on October 3–4, 2013, in Blagoevgrad.
  • Participated with the paper „Is the Issue of the Disputed Churches in Macedonia Really Controversial?” at the international academic conference „Bulgarian Humanities in the Context of European Scientific Pursuits”, dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the birth of Prof. Marin Drinov, held in Sofia, October 31 – November 1, 2013.
  • Participated with the paper „Bulgarian Educational Efforts in Macedonia at the End of the 19th and Beginning of the 20th Century – Challenges and Problems” at the 4th National Academic Conference with International Participation „Journey to Bulgaria: Bulgaria in European Science, Culture, Education, and Religion”, held in Shumen, May 14–16, 2014.
  • Participated with the paper „The Exarchate Administration in the Diocese of Debar during World War I through the Eyes of Archimandrite Kiril” at the international academic conference „World War I in the Balkans and Bulgaria’s Entry into It (1914–1915)”, held in Sofia, October 13–16, 2015.
  • Participated with the paper „Organizational Changes in the Bulgarian Exarchate after the Young Turk Revolution (1908–1909). The Establishment of Collective Governing Bodies in Constantinople” at the international academic conference „Forums and Manifestations of the Bulgarian National Liberation Movement (1908–1928)”, held in Kyustendil and Bosilegrad, March 27–28, 2018.
  • Participated with the paper „The Bulgarian Exarchate after the Young Turk Revolution – The Silent Front Struggle Continues” at the 6th National Conference with International Participation on History, Archaeology, and Cultural Tourism „Journey to Bulgaria: Bulgaria and the Bulgarians – Lifestyle, Mentality, and National Identity”, held in Shumen, April 24–26, 2018.
  • Participated with the paper „The Mürzsteg Reforms in Macedonia – Hope or Disappointment?” at the national academic conference with international participation „Ideas and Ideals – Rise and Collapse”, held in Ruse, April 23–24, 2019.
  • Participated with the paper „Bulgarian Urban Communities in Macedonia at the Turn of the 20th Century – Representatives, Unifiers, and Defenders” at the national academic conference with international participation „The City in the Balkans: Spaces, Images, Memory”, held in Sofia, October 2–4, 2019.
  • Participated with the paper „The Difficult Path after Ilinden: Gains and Losses in the Activity of the Exarchate” at the academic conference „Crises as Catharsis – Political, Social, Economic, and Cultural Dimensions of Extreme Situations in History”, held in Pleven, October 15–16, 2021.
  • Local Elites and the Modernization of Bulgarian Society During the „Long 19th Century“
    National academic conference marking 100 years since the death of Atanas Shopov, Panagyurishte, October 11–12, 2022.
    Paper: In the Diplomatic Field: Highlights from the Activity of Atanas Shopov as Bulgarian Trade Agent in Thessaloniki.
  • Pleven Readings: Revolutions and Evolutions. Political, Economic, Technological, Cultural, and Social Dimensions of „Progress” National academic conference, Pleven, November 11–12, 2022.
    Paper: Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Exarchate and IMRO in an Ideological Clash Over the Path to Progress.
  • Project Seminar: „Characteristics of the Modernization of Bulgarian Society During the ‘Long 19th Century’”
    Sofia, March 31, 2022.
    Presentation: Modernization Processes in Bulgarian Society in the European Vilayets of the Ottoman Empire at the End of the 19th Century, as Reflected in the Exarchate Press.
  • National Academic Conference: „Problems of the Modernization of Bulgarian Society During the ‘Long 19th Century’”
    Sofia, October 6–7, 2023. The Institute for Historical Studies (IHS) was co-organizer of the forum.
    Paper: The Bulgarians in European Turkey in a New Role: Electoral Troubles and Parliamentary Affairs During the Years of the Hürriyet.
  • National Academic Conference: „In the Spiral of Time: People, Ideas, Spaces, and Events”
     In honor of the 75th anniversary of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vasilka Tankova and the founding of the Regional History Museum – Plovdiv, held in Plovdiv, October 13–15, 2023. The IHS was the organizer of the forum.
    Paper: Reforms in the European Vilayets of the Ottoman Empire at the End of the 19th Century – From Inevitable Necessity to Foretold Failure.
  • National Scientific Conference Pleven Historical Readings: Conflicts and Understandings in History. Pleven, November 14-15, 2024.
    Paper: On the Symbiosis between the Bulgarian Municipalities and the Exarchate in Macedonia at the End of the 19th – Beginning of the 20th Century.