Blagoevgrad, American University in Bulgaria
The BEST Foundation and the American University in Bulgaria will host Balkan Voices, the annual international oratory competition in Bulgaria, in the spring of 2023. The tournament will take place from March 17th - March 19th on AUBG’s beautiful campus and will host approx. 60 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.
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.
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 17th. Conversely, you can e-mail us with any questions you want to ask before you apply at info@bestfoundation.bg
Tournament Application - deadline: February 16th; decisions made by February 20th
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. 30 participants from Bulgaria, and approx. 30 total participants from the following countries: Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia. This wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the Regional English Language Office - Belgrade.
Transportation
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
Food
A dinner will be provided on Friday for all participants. A lunch and a dinner on Saturday will be covered as well.
Tournament Schedule
Friday, March 17th
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 Shark Tank (BAC Auditorium)
Saturday, March 18th
7:30 - 8:30 Breakfast at hotels
8:30 - 9:00 Arrival at 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 Novice Round 1
Varsity Campus Tour (BAC lobby)
11:45 - 13:00 Varsity, Round 1
Novice Campus Tour (BAC lobby)
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch in dining hall (ABF 3rd floor)
14:00 - 16.00 Travel Reimbursement International Teams & Judges
14:30 - 15:45 Novice Round 2
Varsity Faculty workshop (AUBG admissions and lecture/workshop)
16:30 - 17:45 Varsity Round 2
Novice Faculty workshops (AUBG presentation and lecture/workshop)
18:30 - 19:30 BEST Workshop (Trivia Night!) (BAC Auditorium)
20:00 - 22:30 Karaoke Social and Dinner (ABF Cafe at 1st floor)
Sunday, March 19th
7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast at hotels
8:15 - 8:30 Arrival at AUBG (check out and take luggage)
8:30 - 9:45 Semifinals
9:15 - 10:15 Travel Reimbursement Bulgarian Teams & Judges
10:30 - 11:45 Varsity Finals (ABF Theater); Novice Finals (BAC Auditorium)
12:30 - 13:30 Closing Ceremony and Awards (ABF Theater)
13:30 - 14:30 Departures
*ABF - America for Bulgaria Student Center
**BAC - Balkanski Academic Center