This is the Tournament Portal for our National Tournament in Sofia. The upcoming tournament will be held at the University of National and World Economy on April 19-21, 2019. Registration for the tournament is closed.

LETTER OF INVITATION

The official letter of invitation for the tournament can be downloaded here. If you want a customized letter mailed to your school, e-mail us at info@bestfoundation.bg.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, April 19th

16:30 - 18:00 - Team Check In
Judge Briefing Session 1
18:15 - 19:00 - Opening Ceremony
19:15 - 20:00 - The BEST Of Times Showcase

Saturday, April 20th

8:45 - Round 1 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
Judge Briefing Session 2
10:15 - Round 1 Flight A: Debate (Prepared) and Poetry
11:45 - Round 2 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
UNWE Presentation Session 1
13:15 - Round 2 Flight A: Debate (Impromptu) and Poetry
UNWE Presentation Session 2
14:15 - Lunch break & Organization Fair
15:15 - Quarterfinals: Oratory and Prose
Semifinals: Duo
16:45 - Quarterfinals: Poetry
Round 3: Debate (Prepared)
18:15 - Semifinals: Oratory and Prose
19:45 - Semifinals: Poetry
Round 4: Debate (Impromptu)

Sunday, April 21st

8:45 - Finals: Poetry, Debate
10:15 - Finals: Prose, Oratory, Duo
12:30 - Closing Ceremony

JUDGING

We welcome all high school graduates with C1 or higher English to judge at our tournaments. If you are new to BEST and our tournaments, visit our Judging Basics page!

We will reimburse all judges for their transport if they use trains or buses, but we strongly encourage taking the most affordable option when possible (usually trains). Please purchase your ticket back from the tournament location as well, as we cannot reimburse you without being presented tickets. We will provide food at the tournament site, and we will also cover one night of hotel accommodations for regional tournaments. In exceptional circumstances when a judge can’t make it to the tournament site before 8am on Saturday, we will cover two nights of hotel accommodation.

Judge registration for the tournament has now closed.

TEAM ROSTER AND HOTELS SPREADSHEET*

The team roster and hotels spreadsheet is no longer available since registration is closed.

In compliance with European GDPR laws, any student who wishes to attend this BEST tournament needs to have a photo release form printed and signed by their parent/guardian (or themselves if they’re over 18 years old). If a student’s coach fails to send photographic proof of the filled in form to BEST by registration deadline, the student’s registration is void. More info can be found in the Registration Checklist we e-mail to coaches when registration opens.

*Note: Any names and other personal data filled in the spreadsheet will be used solely for the purposes of organizing the tournament, securing accommodation, and tournament statistics.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

The Scholarship application form is no longer available since registration is closed.

TRANSPORTATION

If you are in need of a taxi, we recommend Yellow taxi - 02 9119.

In order to get to UNWE without using a cab, we recommend using the Moovit app or desktop site - just plug in the location you’re departing from and Moovit will guide you through Sofia public transport. Please do account for normal business of traffic and the fact that over 300 other BEST participants might end up trying to take the same public transport routes, so make sure to depart and arrive at least 30 minutes before your actual ideal arrival time.

The tournament will take place at the University of National and World Economy’s main building, which can be found on this Google map:

FOOD

We will provide a list of restaurants and stores in town a week before the tournament.

DEBATE MOTIONS

Novice Prepared:

• THW decriminalize the use of all recreational drugs.
  *Recreational drugs include, but are not limited to: marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and the like.

• TH, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, would end the practice of giving separate acting Oscars to men and women.

• THBT LGBT+ Pride campaigns should focus on direct protest rather than celebration.

Novice Impromptu hints:

• Gun Violence

• Feminism

Varsity Prepared:

• THR the rise of surveillance capitalism.
  *Surveillance capitalism can be loosely described as the act of collecting and processing personal and behavioral data as part of capitalism's core profit-making motive.

• TH, as the U.S. Democratic party, would nominate a centrist as opposed to a left-wing candidate in 2020

• THR the shift in the #MeToo movement from victims sharing their experiences to holding public figures accountable.

Varsity Impromptu hints:

• Refugees

• Art Ownership

This is the Tournament Portal for our Spring East Tournament in Varna. The upcoming tournament will be held at Dr. Petar Beron Math High School on March 16-17, 2019. Registration for the tournament has now closed.

LETTER OF INVITATION

The official letter of invitation for the tournament is available here. If you want a customized letter mailed to your school, e-mail us at info@bestfoundation.bg.

PRESS RELEASES

Tournament press releases in English and Bulgarian are coming soon!

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, March 16th

9:30 - 11:00 - Team Check In
10:00 - 12:00 - Judge Briefing Session 1
12:00 -  Opening Ceremony
13:00 -  Round 1 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
             Judge Briefing Session 2
14:15 -  Round 1 Flight A: Debate (Prepared) and Poetry
15:30 -  Round 2 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
16:45 -  Round 2 Flight A: Debate (Impromptu) and Poetry
18:15 -  Quarterfinals: Varsity Prose, Varsity Oratory, Varsity Duo
             Semifinals: Novice Oratory, Novice Prose, Novice Duo
19:30 -  Quarterfinals: Poetry
             Round 3: Debate (Prepared)
20:45 -  Semifinals: Varsity Oratory, Varsity Prose, and Varsity Duo

Sunday, March 17th

8:30 -   Semi-finals: Poetry
            Round 4: Debate (Impromptu)
10:00 - Finals: Prose, Oratory, and Duo
11:30 - Finals: Poetry and Debate
13:30 - Closing Ceremony

JUDGING

We welcome all high school graduates with C1 or higher English to judge at our tournaments. If you are new to BEST and our tournaments, visit our Judging Basics page!

We will reimburse all judges for their transport if they use trains or buses, but we strongly encourage taking the most affordable option when possible (usually trains). Please purchase your ticket back from the tournament location as well, as we cannot reimburse you without being presented tickets. We will provide food at the tournament site, and we will also cover one night of hotel accommodations for regional tournaments. In exceptional circumstances when a judge can’t make it to the tournament site before 11am on Saturday, we will cover two nights of hotel accommodation.

Judge registration for the tournament has closed.

TEAM ROSTER AND HOTELS SPREADSHEET*

The team roster and hotels spreadsheet is no longer available since registration has closed. If you have any edits to your attendees, e-mail us at info@bestfoundation.bg.

In compliance with European GDPR laws, any student under the age of 18 who wishes to attend this BEST tournament needs to have this photo release form printed and signed by their parent/guardian. Students 18 and over need to print this form and sign it themselves. All students’ coaches are responsible to send photographic proof (photos or scans) of the filled-out forms to BEST by the registration deadline. If they fail to do so, the students’ registration is void.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

The Scholarship application form is no longer available since registration has closed.

TRANSPORTATION

Here are some taxi numbers for transport between hotels and the tournament site, if needed:

• 052 644 444 - Triumph Taxi

• 052 500 000 - Lasiya Taxi

• 052 500 500 - OK Taxi

The tournament hotels can be found in this list.

Bus stops of interest are the following - Delfinariuma (located very close to the school), as well as Studentska (located very close to the tournament hotels).

The tournament will take place at Maths High School Petar Beron, which can be found on this Google map:

FOOD

You can find list of restaurants in town here.

DEBATE MOTIONS

Novice Prepared:

• THBT teachers should not be permitted to contact students through social media platforms.

• THBT the state should make efforts to reintroduce endangered species to habitats where they have been eliminated through poaching.

• TH would introduce an Internet voting system in Bulgaria.

Novice Impromptu hints:

• Education

• Government Representation

Varsity Prepared:

• TH, as the Balkan States, would make a joint bid to host the Olympic Games.

• "THBT truth and reconciliation commissions are a better response to past political violence than punishment.

• THBT students in US high schools should be allowed to take classes in programming languages, such as Java or Python, to fulfill foreign language requirements*.

  *Certain US high schools which require students to have spent time studying a foreign language are now recognizing time spent studying a programming language as meeting their foreign language requirements.

Varsity Impromptu hints:

• Feminism

• Vegetarianism

The BEST Foundation and the American University in Bulgaria will host Balkan Voices, the second annual international oratory competition in Bulgaria, in the spring of 2019. The tournament will take place from March 8th - March 10th on AUBG’s beautiful campus and will host approx. 100 9th-12th grade competitors from schools in the Balkans.

This tournament is a chance for high school students from all around the Balkans to compete with their Original Oratories (a beginner’s guide can be found here), make new friends from other countries, and to learn about the educational opportunities at AUBG. Balkan Voices will provide students with a cross-cultural experience that will enable them to substantially connect with students from other countries and to gain new perspectives. We believe that it is important that all students gain access to future opportunities through speech and debate, and touring AUBG and participating in faculty-led workshops during Balkan Voices will provide students with a new perspective on going to university. An international tournament hosted in Bulgaria will also enable more future BEST students to get valuable intercultural experiences through speech and debate.

Information on the logistics and how to register can be found below, and as always, you can e-mail us with questions at info@bestfoundation.bg.

Letter of Invitation

If your school or any authorities require an official letter of invitation for your students from either us or AUBG, please, e-mail us at info@bestfoundation.bg.

Tournament Schedule

Friday, March 8th

16:00-18:00: Registration, luggage storage (ABF* 2nd floor)
18:00-18:30: Opening Ceremony (BAC** Auditorium)
18:30-19:30: Dinner in dining hall (ABF 3rd floor)
20:00-21:30: Public speaking quiz & Scavenger hunt (BAC Auditorium)
22:00: Shuttle buses to hotel (Parking lot)

Saturday, March 9th

7:30-8:30: Breakfast at hotels
8:30: Shuttles from Baza Bachinovo leave for AUBG campus
9:00-10:00: Group shake out: In front of BAC
        Judges Training: BAC 103
        Volunteer training: BAC 201
10:00-11:15: Flight A, Round 1
         Flight B Campus Tour (BAC lobby)
11:30-12:45: Flight B, Round 1
         Flight A Campus Tour (BAC lobby)
13:00-14:00: Lunch in dining hall (ABF 3rd floor)
14:15-15:30: Flight A, Round 2
         Flight B Faculty workshop (ABF Aspire & ABF 6306)
15:45-17:00: Flight B, Round 2
         Flight A Faculty workshops (ABF Aspire & ABF 6306)
17:15-18:30: Quarterfinals
18:30-19:30: Q&A panel with AUBG students (BAC Auditorium)
19:30-20:30: Dinner in dining hall (ABF 3rd floor)
20:30-22:30: Karaoke Social (ABF Cafe at 1st floor)
23:00: Shuttle buses to hotel (Parking lot)

Sunday, March 10th

7:00-8:00: Breakfast at hotels
8:00: Shuttles leave for AUBG campus (from Baza Bachinovo) - check out and take luggage
8:30-9:45: Semifinals
10:15-11:30: Varsity Finals (ABF Theater); Novice Finals (BAC Auditorium)
12:00-12:30: Closing Ceremony and Awards (ABF Theater)
12:30-14:00: Lunch in dining hall (ABF 3rd floor)
14:00: Departures

*ABF - America for Bulgaria Student Center
**BAC - Balkanski Academic Center

International travel

We will be in contact with each individual international group and assist as best we can with international travel advice as soon as you have submitted your application. Please make sure that your group is cleared to travel and arrive at the tournament site by Friday afternoon, March 8. Conversely, you can e-mail us with any questions you want to ask before you apply at info@bestfoundation.bg

Tournament Application - deadline: January 28; decisions made by January 31

Tournament attendance will be covered (we will cover the hotel costs for Friday and Saturday, and reimburse your transport upon arrival to the tournament) for approx. 50 participants from Bulgaria, and approx. 60 total participants from the following countries: Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia. This wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the Regional English Language Office - Belgrade.

Transportation

AUBG will provide a shuttle bus to transport a large number of participants to and from the hotel where they are booked to stay. You can call the following taxi companies for transport around town:

• Tip-Top Taxi - +359 73 833 333

• OK Taxi - +359 73 882 121

• Eco Taxi - +359 73 886 666

• Mega Lux - +359 73 882 828

The tournament will take place at AUBG’s campus, which can be found on this Google map:

Food

Our generous partners from AUBG will provide dinner on Friday for all participants, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday. All of those will be held at the University’s canteen, located on the top floor of the building where the tournament will be held. Breakfast will be provided at the hotels!

This is the Tournament Portal for our Spring West Tournament in Blagoevgrad. The upcoming tournament will be held at the American University in Bulgaria and the Southwestern University on February 16-17, 2019. Registration for the tournament has closed.

LETTER OF INVITATION

The official letter of invitation for the tournament is available here. If you want a customized letter mailed to your school, e-mail us at info@bestfoundation.bg.

PRESS RELEASES

Tournament press releases in English and Bulgarian are coming soon!

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

All tournament events will be held at the AUBG Main Building, and not the Campus - directions to the Main Building can be found further down in this page.

Saturday, February 16th

9:30 - 11:00 - Team Check In
10:00 - 12:00 - Judge Briefing Session 1
11:00 -  Opening Ceremony
12:00 -  Round 1 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
             Judge Briefing Session 2
13:30 -  Round 1 Flight A: Debate (Prepared) and Poetry
14:30 -  Lunch
15:00 -  Round 2 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
             AUBG Campus tour - 1st group
16:30 -  Round 2 Flight A: Debate (Impromptu) and Poetry
             AUBG Campus tour - 2nd group
18:15 -  Quarterfinals: Varsity Prose, Varsity Oratory
             Semifinals: Novice Oratory, Novice Prose, Duo
19:30 -  Quarterfinals: Poetry
             Round 3: Debate (Prepared)
20:30 -  Semifinals: Varsity Oratory and Varsity Prose

Sunday, February 17th

8:30 -   Semi-finals: Poetry
            Round 4: Debate (Impromptu)
10:00 - Finals: Prose, Oratory, and Duo
11:30 - Finals: Poetry and Debate
13:30 - Closing Ceremony

JUDGING

We welcome all high school graduates with C1 or higher English to judge at our tournaments. If you are new to BEST and our tournaments, visit our Judging Basics page!

We will reimburse all judges for their transport if they use trains or buses, but we strongly encourage taking the most affordable option when possible (usually trains). Please purchase your ticket back from the tournament location as well, as we cannot reimburse you without being presented tickets. We will provide food at the tournament site, and we will also cover one night of hotel accommodations for regional tournaments. In exceptional circumstances when a judge can’t make it to the tournament site before 11am on Saturday, we will cover two nights of hotel accommodation.

Judge registration for the tournament has closed.

TEAM ROSTER AND HOTELS SPREADSHEET*

The team roster and hotels spreadsheet has been closed. If you have any corrections to make, please e-mail us at info@bestfoundation.bg.

In compliance with European GDPR laws, any student under the age of 18 who wishes to attend this BEST tournament needs to have this photo release form printed and signed by their parent/guardian and bring it to the tournament. If a student’s coach fails to send photographic proof of the filled in form to BEST by registration deadline, the student’s registration is void.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Scholarship application for the tournament has closed.

TRANSPORTATION

You can call the following taxi companies for transport between hotels and the tournament site.

• Tip-Top Taxi - 073 833 333

• OK Taxi - 073 882 121

• Eco Taxi - 073 886 666

• Mega Lux - 073 882 828

Here’s a list of all hotels which will host BEST participants throughout the tournament. For coaches, you will have received information about which hotel you’re booked in approximately a week before the tournament.

The tournament will take place at the American University in Bulgaria’s main building, which can be found on this Google map:

FOOD

Here is a list of restaurants and large grocery stores in Blagoevgrad.

DEBATE MOTIONS

Novice prepared motions:

• THBT in areas of socioeconomic deprivation, schools should train students in vocational skills to the exclusion of the liberal arts.

• THBT the primary aim of the criminal justice system should be rehabilitation, not retribution.

• THW allow children to attend any primary school regardless of geographical proximity.

Novice impromptu hints:

• Romance

• Quotas

Varsity prepared motions:

• THW offer conditional cash transfers (CCTs) to low-income families to reward their children's school attendance.

• THW ban private healthcare.

• TH, as the United Kingdom, would hold a second referendum on leaving the European Union.

Varsity impromptu hints:

• Parenthood

• Voting rights

This is the Tournament Portal for our Fall East Tournament in Sliven. The upcoming tournament will be held at Zahariy Stoyanov WLHS in Sliven on December 1-2. Registration for the tournament has now closed.

Letter of Invitation

You can find the official letter of invitation in Bulgarian here! If you want a customized letter mailed to your school, e-mail us at info@bestfoundation.bg.

Press Releases

Tournament press releases in English and Bulgarian are coming soon!

Tentative* Schedule

Saturday, December 1st

9:30 - 11:00 - Team Check In
10:00 - 12:00 - Judge Briefing Session 1
11:00 - Opening Ceremony
12:00 - Round 1 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
Judge Briefing Session 2
13:30 - Round 1 Flight A: Debate (Prepared) and Poetry
14:30 - Lunch
15:00 - Round 2 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
16:30 - Round 2 Flight A: Debate (Impromptu) and Poetry
18:15 - Quarterfinals: Varsity Prose and Varsity Oratory
Semifinals: Novice Oratory, Novice Prose, Varsity Duo
Round 3: Novice Duo
19:30 - Quarterfinals: Varsity Poetry/Semifinals: Novice Poetry
Round 3: Debate (Prepared)
20:30 - Semifinals: Varsity Oratory and Varsity Prose

Sunday, December 2nd

8:30 - Semi-final: Varsity Poetry,
Round 4: Debate (Impromptu)
10:00 - Finals: Prose, Oratory, and Duo
11:30 - Finals: Poetry and Debate
13:30 - Closing Ceremony

*Note that schedule is subject to change based on registrations.

Judging

We welcome all high school graduates with C1 or higher English to judge at our tournaments. If you are new to BEST and our tournaments, visit our Judging Basics page!

We will reimburse all judges for their transport if they use trains or buses, but we strongly encourage taking the most affordable option when possible (usually trains). Please purchase your ticket back from the tournament location as well, as we cannot reimburse you without being presented tickets. We will provide food at the tournament site, and we will also cover one night of hotel accommodations for regional tournaments. In exceptional circumstances when a judge can’t make it to the tournament site before 11am on Saturday, we will cover two nights of hotel accommodation.

Judge registration for the tournament is now open, and the sign-up form can be found here! Coaches, you must register if you are judging, too, and don’t forget to include your judges when you fill out your team roster spreadsheet (see below).

Team Roster and Hotels Spreadsheet*

The team roster and hotels spreadsheet is now closed. If you have any changes, please submit them to info@bestfoundation.bg.

In compliance with European GDPR laws, any student under the age of 18 who wishes to attend this BEST tournament needs to have this photo release form signed by their parent/guardian and bring it to the tournament. If a student’s coach fails to send photographic proof of the filled in form to BEST by registration deadline, the student’s registration is void.

*Note: Any names and other personal data filled in the spreadsheet will be used solely for the purposes of organizing the tournament, securing accommodation, and tournament statistics.

Scholarship Application

The Scholarship application form for the upcoming tournament has now closed.

Transportation

You can call the following taxi companies for transport between hotels and the tournament site. Please allow ample time before you depart and call since their fleets are limited!

• Evro Taxi - 080015156

• Grup Taxi - 044 6142

• Es-Si Taxi - 044 6145

The tournament will take place at Zahariy Stoyanov WLHS, which can be found on this Google map:

Food

You can refer to this list of restaurants and supermarkets in Sliven!

Debate Motions

Prepared motions:

• TH would criminalize the use of cryptocurrencies.

• TH, as the European Union, would oppose China's Belt and Road Initiative.

• TH would institute a universal basic income.

Impromptu hints:

• Punishment

• Religion

  
  

This is the Tournament Portal for our Fall West Tournament in Vratsa. The upcoming tournament will be held at Yoan Ekzarh FLHS in Vratsa on November 17-18. Registration for the tournament is now open and closes on November 5. Coaches, you should have received an invitation to register for this tournament on Speechwire. If you haven’t received the invitation, or if you are a coach in a different region and would like to bring your team to this tournament, please email us at info@bestfoundation.bg.

Letter of Invitation

You can find the official letter of invitation in Bulgarian here! If you want a customized letter mailed to your school, e-mail us at info@bestfoundation.bg.

Press Releases

Here you can find the pre-tournament press release in English and Bulgarian.

Tentative* Schedule

Saturday, November 17th
9:00 - 11:00 - Team Check In
10:00 - 12:00 - Judge Briefing Session 1
11:00 - Opening Ceremony
12:00 -  Round 1 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
             Judge Briefing Session 2
13:30 -  Round 1 Flight A: Debate (Prepared) and Poetry
14:30 -  Lunch
15:00 -  Round 2 Flight B: Oratory, Prose, and Duo
16:30 -  Round 2 Flight A: Debate (Impromptu) and Poetry
18:15 -  Quarter-finals: Varsity Oratory, Varsity Prose, Duo
             Semi-finals: Novice Oratory and Novice Prose
19:30 -  Quarter-finals: Varsity Poetry/ Semi-finals: Novice Poetry
             Round 3: Debate (Prepared)
20:30 -  Semi-finals: Varsity Prose, Varsity Oratory, and Duo

Sunday, November 18th

8:30 -  Semi-final: Varsity Poetry,
           Round 4: Debate (Impromptu)
10:00 -  Finals: Prose, Oratory, and Duo
11:30 -  Finals: Poetry and Debate
13:30 -  Closing Ceremony

*Note that schedule is subject to change based on registrations.

Judging

We welcome all high school graduates with C1 or higher English to judge at our tournaments. If you are new to BEST and our tournaments, visit our Judging Basics page!

We will reimburse all judges for their transport if they use trains or buses, but we strongly encourage taking the most affordable option when possible (usually trains). Please purchase your ticket back from the tournament location as well, as we cannot reimburse you without being presented tickets. We will provide food at the tournament site, and we will also cover one night of hotel accommodations for regional tournaments. In exceptional circumstances when a judge can’t make it to the tournament site before 11am on Saturday, we will cover two nights of hotel accommodation.

Judge registration for the tournament is now open, and the sign-up form can be found here! Coaches, you must register if you are judging, too, and don’t forget to include your judges when you fill out your team roster spreadsheet (see below).

Team Roster and Hotels Spreadsheet*

The Registration period for the upcoming tournament has ended.

In compliance with European GDPR laws, any student under the age of 18 who wishes to attend this BEST tournament needs to have this photo release form signed by their parent/guardian and bring it to the tournament. If a student’s coach fails to send photographic proof of the filled in form to BEST by registration deadline, the student’s registration is void.

*Note: Any names and other personal data filled in the spreadsheet will be used solely for the purposes of organizing the tournament, securing accommodation, and tournament statistics.

Scholarship Application

The Scholarship application period for the upcoming tournament has ended.

Transportation

You can call the following taxi companies for transport to the out-of-town hotels. Please allow ample time before you depart and call since their fleets are limited!

• Korekt Taxi - 092 666 666

• Prestige Taxi - 092 666 666

The tournament will take place at Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, which can be found on this Google map:

Food

You can refer to this list of restaurants and supermarkets in Vratsa!

Debate Motions

Novice:

Prepared motions:

• THW ban further development of Artificial Intelligence

• THW stop directing European Investment Fund money to states that refuse to take a share of refugees proportional to their share of EU GDP.

• THW not allow corporations to donate to political parties, campaigns, or candidates.

Impromptu hints:

• Free speech

• Child psychology

Varsity:

Prepared motions:

• TH, as a formerly communist state*, would remove the monuments of the former regime.
  * This is an actor motion. It is to be debated from the point of view of the actor - in this case the formerly communist state - and aims to determine whether adopting the motion would benefit the actor.

• THBT governments should abandon the strategy of "decapitation"* in fighting terrorism.
  * Decapitation in this context is defined as targetting the leaders of terrorist organizations.

• TH supports the promotion of collective guilt after large scale crimes against humanity.

Impromptu hints:

• Faith

• Art