Last night, in the courtyard of the Ethnographic Museum in Burgas, a memorial gathering was held to mark ten years since the passing of Hristina Angelova. The commemoration brought together current and former colleagues from the Underwater Heritage Institute, together with her family, friends, classmates, and professional companions. Words of love were shared, along with memories filled with deep sadness. It was an emotional meeting of people who had been part of her life and professional journey — people who, without exception, loved her immensely.
You simply couldn’t help but love Hristina!
It is impossible to forget her broad, blue-eyed smile — a smile that looked toward the future, pursued the highest standards in research, and allowed us to measure ourselves against the great leaders in underwater archaeology. She was the Centre for Underwater Archaeology. She led it for nearly 30 years and left us a rich legacy. She brought Bulgarian underwater research onto the world stage, took part in international forums, drew experience and ideas from them, and was known by all. She was surrounded by leading figures in maritime research, many of whom were also her friends, sought her opinion, and consistently invited her to join their initiatives. The world knew and recognised the achievements of Bulgarian underwater archaeology.
She insisted that the work of the Centre remain in step with contemporary trends and achievements — developments she knew well and constantly sought to follow and apply. She was a founder and an innovator. She achieved the unthinkable in the years when the Bulgarian state intended to liquidate the Centre’s existence: she succeeded in advancing and securing the adoption of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. As a result, Bulgaria became the second country in the world and the first in Europe to ratify it. The subsequent changes in national legislation ensured that no state official would ever again be able to consider closing the Centre for Underwater Archaeology.
She won many battles and paid the price for the successes we enjoy today.
That is why we are filled not only with gratitude, but also with a profound sense of responsibility.
Thanks to Hristina, today — ten years after her passing and on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Centre for Underwater Archaeology — the institution stands with dignity as the newly established Underwater Heritage Institute under the auspices of UNESCO, just as she had dreamed. No one can now question its international authority, expertise, and deep traditions.
And beyond all this, her great heart knew how to rejoice in life and how to love.
May her memory be bright.
From: Nayden, Kalin, Polya, Petar, Ivelina, Zdravka, Viktor, Zhelyazko, Irena, Alexandra, Dragomir, Kiril, Doreto, Galya
The archive photographs are courtesy of Hristina’s family.
The photographs from the commemoration are by RHM Burgas.