Naoum Kaytchev

Assoc. Prof. Naoum Kaytchev, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Modern and Contemporary Balkan History at Sofia University's Faculty of History and currently serves as Head of the Department of History of Byzantium and the Balkans. He holds a doctorate from Sofia University (1998) with a dissertation on national consciousness in Serbia and Bulgaria regarding Macedonia (1878–1912). His career includes diplomatic roles as Consul General of Bulgaria in Toronto (1999–2001) and Bitola (2007–2010).

Education:

• BA/MA in History, Sofia University (1987–1992)
• Visiting PhD Student, St Edmund Hall, Oxford University (1994–1995)
• PhD in Byzantine and Balkan History at Sofia University (1994–1998)

Research focuses on National Identities in Southeastern Europe, with emphasis on educational institutions, schoolbooks, and the histories of Croatia, Serbia, and Macedonia. He examines nation-building processes, ethnic identification, and geopolitical dynamics. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary socio-political issues, particularly in the Balkans.

Publications span monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles addressing topics like Bulgarian-Serbian historiographic rivalry, Macedonian ethnic pluralism, and EU integration challenges. His Macedonia Desired (2003) and Illiria from Varna to Vila? (2015) are seminal works in Balkan studies.

Grants and academic engagements include affiliations with institutions such as the Serbian Academy of Sciences, the Central European University, and University of Zagreb. He has contributed to international projects on Balkan historiography and regional policy.