Summer School 2025

Exedra Bulgarica ἐν τῇ Σαρδικῇ – ‘Histories and Representations: Res et Verba’

We invite you to join the Forum Novum Foundation and Rogerus Byzantinus at the first Exedra Bulgarica, a summer school for upper intermediate and advanced students and speakers of Latin and Ancient Greek, which will be held from the 10th to the 15th of August in Sofia, Bulgaria. In antiquity, exedra or ἐξέδρα was a place where people of learning would come together to engage in discussions on various topics. The topic of this first gathering of ours will be ‘Histories and Representations: Res et Verba’, through which we will be able to explore the ways in which authors have presented their own people and their past and present political realities at the backdrop of what they conceived of as ‘the other’. The texts that we will read will be excerpts from Livy, Virgil, Aeschylus, Thucydides and others that allow us to ponder over the impact that the author exercises by moulding a certain image and its consequences for the contemporary reader and for posterity. We will also have the unique opportunity of taking the local example of Bulgaria by delving into Latin and Greek texts from different periods that in some way tackle its history. Thus, the main objectives of this event are, firstly, to converse in Latin and Ancient Greek with each other and with the authors, thereby enhancing our knowledge of both languages and discussing questions that continue to be relevant to this day, and, secondly, to learn something more about what is now Bulgaria and its connection with the ancient world and its languages. We believe that through speaking Latin and Ancient Greek we can take most value out of our time spent together. Hence, they will be the ‘official’ languages of the trip and communicating in them will be strongly encouraged to the utmost extent all throughout, inside and outside the classroom.

There will be four days of classes conducted in the active method. The mornings will be dedicated to reading and discussing prose and poetry texts in Latin and Ancient Greek from antiquity and beyond. Classes will be held at the historic buildings and spacious gardens of our unique venue – the Sofia Seminary “St. John of Rila”. There will also be a poetry session with singing where we shall indulge in ancient verses as they were experienced by the Romans and Greeks themselves – through music! We will spend the afternoons touring a variety of ancient sights in Sofia dating back to the Roman city of Serdica (the ruins of the centre of the ancient city, the necropolis under the St. Sofia basilica, the St. George rotunda church and others) and other places of interest that bespeak the ways in which antiquity is related to Bulgaria’s past and present. We will also have a day trip to Plovdiv or, as it was known in ancient times, Philippopolis, where we will visit its Roman theatre, one of the world’s best preserved ancient theatres, and its marvelous Roman basilica among others! Just like the classes, the visits, unless led by an experienced local specialist, will be conducted in Latin or Ancient Greek. Spots are limited, so be sure to apply soon!

Intended participants: University students of Classics and other fields alongside people seriously interested in and engaged with classical languages more broadly. The expected level of command of both languages is upper intermediate to advanced. Previous experience with the active method will be very beneficial. Participants must be adults (of age according to the laws of their home country) by the start of the summer school (10.08.2025) unless accompanied by a teacher or an adult.

Teachers:

- Mark Tomov, Bulgaria (founder and director of the Forum Novum Foundation, member of Oxford Latinitas) – Accademia Vivarium Novum; currently reading for a BA in Arabic with Akkadian, University of Oxford
- Rogelio Toledo, Mexico (Rogerus Byzantinus) – MA in Altphilologie, Freie Universität Berlin; currently a PhD candidate in Byzantine Philosophy, Universität Wien
- Duncan Kampschuur, the Netherlands – Accademia Vivarium Novum; MA in Classics and Ancient Civilisations, Leiden University

Cost: 250 € [including 2 dinners (on arrival day and on the last day of the event), five lunches, day trip to Plovdiv, tickets for museums and sights, class materials, one all-line transport card in Sofia with fifteen tickets loaded]

Note: Instruction itself will be done pro bono.

Venue: Sofia Seminary “St. John of Rila”

Apply by filling this form. The application deadline is the 30th of June.

The answers that are to be written in Latin and Ancient Greek don’t have to be very exhaustive. They are required just so that we can get an idea of your level in both languages. There is no right or wrong answer, so don’t fret! The interview is not a necessary stage in the application process, but an invitation for one could follow for the purposes of further assessing your level.

Please note: Participants must arrange their own accommodation. The Forum Novum Foundation has reserved several single rooms at a preferential price at the Hemus Hotel (link to which can be found here) that is located very near the main venue of the event. Should you wish to book a room there, please inform us at forum.novum.foundation@gmail.com as soon as possible because the number of rooms is limited. After your booking is confirmed, you are to pay individually the fee due at the hotel’s reception. We recommend this hotel, but participants are free to find another place that might suit their needs better. As classes will commence on the 11th in the morning, the expected day of arrival is the 10th of August (the only event on that day will be a dinner in the evening). If you are a university student, make sure to bring your university card with you for museum discounts!

If your application is approved, you will receive the bank details needed for transfering the amount 250 € required for covering the expenses of your participation.

Should any queries arise, feel free to contact us at forum.novum.foundation@gmail.com! The Forum Novum Foundation and Rogerus Byzantinus are looking forward to receiving your applications!

Valete! In proximum!

Ἔρρωσθε! Εἰς αὖθις!