On October 9, 2023 at the Institute of Balkan Studies & Centre of Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IBSCT-BAS) a Discussion Forum "The Otherness: Yesterday and Today" was held. Discussion was led by Archpriest Dr. Sava Kokudev (Faculty of Theology of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"), Assist. Prof. Dr. Evlogi Stanchev (IBSCT-BAS), Dr. Kristiyan Kovachev (IBSCT-BAS) and Milen Petrov (IBSCT-BAS), PhD student.

Dr. Sava Kokudev paid attention to forming the image of the other in the context of confrontation between Rome and Constantinople in the 13th century. Dr. Evlogi Stanchev offered a historical-anthropological view of the problem of otherness. PhD student Milen Petrov gave several historical examples about the perception of otherness. Dr. Kristiyan Kovachev commented on the dual nature of otherness. In his presentation, the postdoctoral student at IBSCT-BAS emphasized the two approaches in building the image of the other - verbal and visual, giving examples from polemical writings, as well as from the iconography of Orthodox churches.

The discussion was met with great interest from the representatives of the academic community.

The event accompanies the international conference "The Church and The Otherness", which will be held on November 8-10, 2023 and is part of a project funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund under contract No. KP-06-MNF/25 dated 08.08.2023.