Moderators:
Prof. Dr. Milena Georgieva, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Epigenetics and Longevity, Institute of Molecular Biology "R.Tsanev", BAS
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Bozhilov, Department of Astronomy, Faculty of Physics, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski”
09:30-09:40 | WELCOME FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION SATELLITE CENTRE (SatCen)
(Pre-recorded speech) Rear Admiral Louis Tillier, Director of SatCen
09:40-10:50 | INSPIRATIONAL TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS (PART 1)
Technologies in space
09:40-09:55 | The Quantum Future: What Awaits Us in the World of Computing
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boyan Torosov, Doctor of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Associate Professor at the ISSP-BAS
09:55-10:10 | Secrets in the Galaxies's Hearts
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Bozhilov, Department of Astronomy, Faculty of Physics, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski”
10:10-10:25 | Whispers from Space: What Space Telescopes See Between the Stars
Dr. Petia Yanchulova Merica-Jones, U.S. Fulbright scholar, "Young Scientists and Postdoctoral Fellows" scholar at Sofia University, Department of Astronomy
10:25-10:50 | Space then and now: what do we need to build spaceships
Krasimir Stoev, Lead of AI at EnduroSat
10:50-11:00 | A journey through the Space of knowledge: HPV
Prof. Dr. Milena Georgieva, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Epigenetics and Longevity, Institute of Molecular Biology "R.Tsanev", BAS
11:00-11:30 | INSPIRATIONAL TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS (PART 2)
Life in space
11:00-11:15 | Earth in the past: asteroid collisions and their effects
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Docho Dochev, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Geology and Geography of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"
11:15-11:30 | The human footprint on Earth's nature - a perspective from space
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimitar Zhelev, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Geology and Geography of SU "St. Kliment Ohridski", geography teacher at Science-Smart School of Sofia and co-founder of Geograf BG
11:30-12:30| LUNCH BREAK
Time to explore the stands and the demonstrations outside
Demonstrations of the Bulgarian Army Special Forces Brigade (TBC)
12:30-13:10 | OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL
13:10-14:25 | INSPIRATIONAL TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS (PART 2.1)
Life in space
13:10-13:25 | A look at the dark side of the Universe
Prof. Dr. Henk Hoekstra, Professor of observational cosmology at Leiden University, Netherlands
13:25-13:40 | A view from CERN: in search of the building blocks of the Universe
Prof. Leander Litov, Ph.D., Faculty of Physics, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", the Bulgarian representative on the CERN Council
13:40-13:55 | Life beyond Earth: scientific challenges and opportunities
Prof. Dr. Georgi Miloshev, Head of Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Epigenetics and Longevity at the Institute of Molecular Biology - BAS
13:55-14:10 | Alternative life: beyond the water worlds
Dr. Petar Eftimov, Co-head of the Master's Program in Astrobiology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"
14:10-14:25 | Blood Beyond Earth: Unraveling the Science of Space Anemia
Dr. Joseph Borg, Investigator at NASA GeneLab (online)
14:25-15:25 | SPECIAL BLOCK: BULGARIA, NASA, ESA, NATO – SPACE (PART 3)
Stellar connection: Bulgaria, NASA, ESA and NATO
14:25-14:40 | Introduction to satellite and deep space communications
Dr. Zoran Hadzi-Velkov, Corresponding Member of Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Professor at the "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" University Skopje, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies
14:40-14:55 | Art Centers As Catalysts For Innovation In Space Research
Ivelina Kadiri, PhD Candidate, University of Economics - Varna
14:55-15:10 | Applying Remote Sensing Technologies for Geohazards Modelling
Bojana Aleksova, MSc PhD candidate at Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, Geography Teacher at Maarif International Schools - Skopje Campus
15:10-15:25 | Exoplanets: worlds beyond the Sun and a personal discovery
Atanas Stefanov, PhD student at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, Spain (online)
15:25-15:35| SPACE ELEVATOR A SERIES OF QUICK PRESENTATIONS ON YOUTH WITH NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF SPACE SCIENCES
15:35-15:55 | TBC
Costas Papadopoulos, Executive Regional Director Global Business Development International for South East Europe, Lockheed Martin (TBC)
15:55-16:35| DISCUSSION: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ITS ROLE IN NATURAL SCIENCES
16:35-16:55 | Commercial Space Exploration: How the Space Frontier (Suddenly) Became so Important to Everyone
Jeffrey Manber, President of the International and Space Stations Voyager Technologies (online)
16:55-17:55| LIVE MEETING WITH EYTAN STIBBE
Eytan Stibbe, Israeli astronaut, entrepreneur, philantropist, and fighter pilot; participant in the historic Ax-1 mission of Axiom Space to the International Space Station (TBC)
17:55-18:30 | Closing ceremony and awards Question contest
Song “Hello, Space”, Vocal Group “Mickey Mouse”
For the second year in a row, during the “Hello Space | Bulgaria Calling 5.0” festival, young and old chess enthusiasts will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the intriguing world of strategic battles at the Interstellar Chess Wars tournament.
Join us for a day filled with exciting matches and unforgettable chess challenges, featuring a special appearance by the Bulgarian U20 Champion, Nikola Kanov, and under the watchful eye of chess master and coach, Vasil Kolev.Chess Tournament Schedule
Chess Tournament Schedule
11:00 - 11:45 | First Chess Game: We kick off the event with a competitive match between participants
11:45 - 12:15 | Chess Puzzle Contest
12:15 - 13:00 | Blitz Round: 5-minute games
13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch Break: Time to relax, enjoy good food, and recharge
14:00 - 14:45 | Second Chess Game: Another opportunity to showcase your strategies and tactics
14:45 - 16:15 | Simultaneous Exhibition with Nikola Kanov
16:15 - 17:00 | Third Chess Game: We end the day with a final match where you can apply what you’ve learned
Event Host: Vasil Kolev
Registration is on-site on the day of the event. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to meet some of the best in the chess world and improve your skills.
Interstellar Chess Wars 2.0 is held with the support of Bella Bulgaria.
This year, "HELLO, SPACE! | Bulgaria Calling!" 5.0 places a special focus on health, prevention, and innovation in medicine.
We believe that health is at the core of every successful mission, whether in space or on Earth. That’s why we’re introducing the “Health Corner” – a dedicated space focused on health awareness, the science of the human body, and new medical technologies.
Activities in the Health Corner
Outdoor Workout Sessions
Dynamic physical activities for various age groups to promote fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle.
