Associate Professor from Western Carolina University

visiting Technical University of Sofia, Bulgaria

as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar

When I came back to Sofia from Rome, I knew exactly where to go, just like a local. I even found an open-air market near here that perhaps only locals would frequent. It is a good feeling to feel settled down here.

Orpheus was a famous Thracian in the ancient Greek mythology, and Bulgarians are the heirs of Thracians and Proto-Bulgarians. There is a sculpture of Orpheus at the Sofia Airport’s metro station. Two years ago, the Smoky Mountain High School’s marching band in Sylva, North Carolina had done a full story of him trying to save his wife from the underworld of death but failed eventually as he looked back. It was a great show, although with a sad ending, which was perhaps what made it more memorable.

It had been nearly all sunny in Sofia after I first came here, but there were some dark clouds when I came back Sofia from Rome. The Cathedral Saint Aleksandar Nevski was even more shining with its golden roofs with the dark clouds as its backdrop.

On my way to the market, there is the Statue of Sveta Sofia. It was erected in 2000, not too new, but it has become an icon of the city, too. Her crown symbolizes power, the wreath she holds in her right hand symbolizes fame or reputation, and the owl perching on her left hand symbolizes wisdom.

The classes at WCU will start soon, and my project planning here is still fluid and it will keep me busy.