13 Notable alumni of St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo
Updated: May 28, 2026 EliteDegrees
St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo is ranked #4,199 in the world and #14 in Bulgaria by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 13 notable alumni from St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Mariana Vasileva
1974-. (aged 52)
rhythmic gymnast
Mariana Vasileva-Toteva is an Azerbaijani rhythmic gymnastics trainer of Bulgarian origin who is the former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan (2021–2025) and former head coach of the Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.
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2. Asena Serbezova
1973-. (aged 53)
academic
health minister
pharmacist
politician
Asena Serbezova is a Bulgarian pharmacist and university teacher, minister of health under the government of Kiril Petkov from 2021 to 2022.
3. Rositsa Kirova
1970-. (aged 56)
politician
Rositsa Lyubenova Kirova is a Bulgarian politician of GERB. Since 2021, she has been a member of the National Assembly. She has served as a deputy speaker since 2023, having previously served from 2021 to 2022. She was a municipal councillor of Vidin from 2006 to 2015, and a candidate for mayor in the 2015 local elections.
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4. Valentin Kasabov
1958-2020 (aged 62)
politician
Valentin Kasabov was a Bulgarian politician.
5. Slavcho Atanasov
1968-. (aged 58)
military officer
lawyer
politician
Slavcho Atanasov is a Bulgarian politician, member of IMRO-BNM and mayor of Plovdiv (2007–2011).
6. Emil Andreev
1956-. (aged 70)
playwright
screenwriter
writer
prose writer
university teacher
Emil Andreev is a Bulgarian author, playwright, and novelist.
7. Demir Yanev
1972-. (aged 54)
film director
film producer
Demir Yanev was born in Damascus, Syria and is a film producer and director.
8. Konstantina Kouneva
1964-. (aged 62)
trade unionist
politician
Konstantina Kouneva, also known as Kostadinka Kuneva (Bulgarian: Костадинка Кунева), is a Bulgarian immigrant in Greece, trade unionist and secretary of the Greek Trade Union of Cleaners and Housekeepers. She was elected as an MEP in the 2014 European Parliament elections.
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9. Desislava Atanasova
1978-. (aged 48)
lawyer
judge
politician
Desislava Valcheva Atanasova is a Bulgarian lawyer and politician serving as a judge of the Constitutional Court since 2024. She was a member of the National Assembly from 2009 to 2012 and from 2013 to 2024. From 2012 to 2013, she served as Minister of Health. On 31 January 2025 Atanasova was chosen to represent Bulgaria in the Venice Commission.
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10. Tomislav Donchev
1973-. (aged 53)
politician
Tomislav Peykov Donchev is a Bulgarian politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria. A member of the GERB party, he previously held that position on two occasions from 2014 to 2021. He also served as Minister without portfolio from 2010 to 2013 and Mayor of Gabrovo from 2007 to 2010. Donchev was also a member of both the...
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11. Ilhan Kyuchuk
1985-. (aged 41)
politician
Ilhan Kyuchyuk is a Bulgarian politician who is currently a Member of the European Parliament. A member of the DPS party, he is also serving as Co-President of the ALDE party. In the European Parliament, Kyuchyuk currently chairs the Legal Affairs Committee. In July 2024, Ilhan Kyuchyuk was elected Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.
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12. Atanas Zafirov
1971-. (aged 55)
politician
Atanas Zafirov Zafirov is a Bulgarian politician who has served as Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria since 2025. A member of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, which he currently leads, he previously served as Member of the National Assembly from 2013 to 2017 and from 2021 to 2025.
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13. Mariyana Nikolova
1975-. (aged 51)
civil servant
lawyer
politician
Mariyana Nikolova is a Bulgarian politician was the country's Minister for Tourism from July 2020 to May 2021 and Deputy Prime Minister from November 2018 to May 2021.
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