It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Mihail (“Misho”) Boyadzhiev, who had been Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Global Libraries Bulgaria Foundation since 2020. An active member of Bulgarian civil society, Misho embraced the cause of libraries and played a central role in the establishment of GLBF in 2013 and subsequently as a member of the Board. In 2014, he was part of the team that developed and advocated for the Foundation’s successful application for an institutional grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which enabled GLBF to begin its work and develop sustainably over time.
Misho believed that libraries are natural environments for people to access information, education and culture. As a public figure, strongly connected to Bulgarian civil society, he believed that libraries could develop and offer the new services required for the digital age. This led him over the years to promote access to legal information and e-government services in libraries, and to encourage civic participation. Following GLBFs mission to integrate Bulgarians into the global information society and improve their quality of life, Misho thought outside traditional frameworks. He saw the potential for the libraries in the Global Libraries network to participate in various spheres of public life, and constantly worked to expand partnerships at the national and international levels.
We will miss his energy and belief that anything can be achieved with persistence and perseverance.
We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. A funeral and service of remembrance will be held on Friday 16 January at 11.00 at St. Sophia Church.