Conference Report – BAQLS OPTIMA 2026

On behalf of Yals, three representatives, Mirjana Grandov Lacić, Ivana Novaković and Maja Gavrilović, had the pleasure of attending the international conference marking the 100^th anniversary of Georgi Lozanov, held at the Technical University of Sofia and organized by The Bulgaian Association for Quality Language Services – OPTIMA, The Technical University of Sofia, Lozanov’s Teacher Association (LITTA) and Artis School of Languages and Art.

The conference brought together participants from a number of countries, from four continents, creating a truly international and inspiring atmosphere.

17 speakers offered valuable insights into Suggestopedia, the life and achievements of the founder Dr. Georgi Lozanov, the evolution of the approach over the past century, its development till today, and contemporary applications in education and beyond. Although the schedule was full, every presentation was engaging, relevant, and thought-provoking. The sessions flowed smoothly, making the conference easy to follow despite its rich content.

The first plenary session, which opened the conference, was held by Thom Kiddle, Chair of the Eaquals Board of Trustees and the Director of the Norwich Institute for Language Education, or NILE. Galia Mateva, an experienced suggestopedic teacher, researcher and author, delivered the second plenary session. Together, these presentations framed the theme of the conference, which was seamlessly carried forward by all the remaining speakers until the closing session.

Beyond the academic programme, the event was exceptionally well organized and provided welcome opportunities for networking and informal discussions between sessions.

Special recognition goes to the hosts and organizers, whose professionalism, warmth, friendliness, and constant willingness to help ensured that every participant felt welcome and well looked after. Their enthusiasm and dedication contributed significantly to the success of the conference.

As a final thought, the conference was a memorable celebration of Georgi Lozanov’s legacy. It combined high-quality presentations with excellent organization and an atmosphere of collaboration, leaving participants inspired and motivated to continue exploring and applying the principles of Suggestopedia in their own professional contexts.

Report submitted by Maja Gavrilović