Kamen Rumenov Rikev

Kamen Rumenov Rikev is a university professor at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin, Poland, working in the Department of Slavic Literary Studies within the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. He serves as the faculty coordinator for the Erasmus+ program with consultation hours scheduled for September 2025 in room 427 of the Philological Faculty building. His academic career demonstrates strong institutional ties between Polish and Bulgarian scholarly communities.

Professor Rikev's research focuses on:

• Polish-Bulgarian literary and cultural connections
• Christian worldview in Bulgarian literature
• Historiography of Slavic and Balkan literatures
• Bulgarian studies in Poland
• Orthodox Christian cultural heritage
• Contemporary humanities discourse

His recent publications reveal a sustained scholarly engagement with Bulgarian literary figures, particularly Atanas Dalchev, Ivan Vazov, and Milen Ruskov, examining their work through religious, national identity, and cultural symbolism lenses. Rikev's scholarly output also addresses broader cultural phenomena including historical memory, national mythology, and the role of humanities in contemporary society, with his 2024 article 'How Many Worlds Do We Live in Today?' directly positioning humanities as central to modern understanding.

His notable awards include:

• 2023: UMCS Rector's Award for highly-rated scientific article
• 2022: The Best Paper Crystal Prize at the 61st Scientific Conference of Angel Kanchev University of Ruse
• 2021: Medal of the National Education Commission
• 2021: First Prize of Portal Kultura for best Bulgarian-language book in humanities
• 2020: Silver Order of the Holy Brothers of Salonica for spreading Orthodox culture
• 2018: The Best Paper Crystal Prize at the 57th Scientific Conference of Angel Kanchev University of Ruse
• 2018: UMCS Rector's Award (2nd degree) for outstanding work for the university
• 2017: Diploma from President of Lublin City for promoting cultural diversity
• 2015: UMCS Rector's Award (3rd degree)

Rikev has participated in numerous research projects including the University Centre for Cross Border Research in Bulgarian Studies (2009-2014), Study on the Integration of Humanities and Arts (2020), and The Contemporary World: Achievements, Risks, Innovations (2024), where he served as consultant and keynote speaker. He is actively involved in academic organizations as editor of Zeszyty Cyrylo-Metodiańskie (2011-present) and as a member of editorial boards for Ezik i literatura (2017-2020) and the Program Council for the Yearly Scientific Conference of Angel Kanchev University of Ruse (2019-present).