From Closure to Rebirth: The Story of Economics and Economists at Sofia University

This presentation explores the forgotten and rediscovered history of economic science at Sofia University. It traces the early development of quantitative economics, statistics, and empirical research from the late 19th century through the golden era of the 1920s–1940s, exemplified by the Statistical Institute for Economic Research (SIER). Scholars like Oskar Anderson, Slavcho Zagorov, and Asen Hristoforov established Sofia University as a hub of internationally connected and policy-relevant economic research. Following the communist coup, ideological control dismantled institutions, erased contributions, and imposed Marxist orthodoxy. The presentation documents the systematic loss of institutional memory and the marginalization of academic economists. The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration was re-established in 1990, restoring international links and renewing traditions in applied economic analysis, econometrics, and policy engagement. Today, Sofia University’s economic faculty continues its mission as a trusted academic and policy partner, aligning with international standards and contributing to public debate.