Fourth Friday – August 2026 – Bulgaria

Our journey around the world continues! On Friday, August 28, the Valparaiso International Center welcomed Svetla Tzvetkov for our Fourth Friday Speaker Series presentation. Svetla took us on a personal journey to her native Bulgaria, sharing the history, traditions, landscapes, music, food, and people that continue to connect her to her homeland.

Svetla grew up in a family where education, music, art, and intellectual curiosity were part of everyday life. Her aunt was the famous Bulgarian opera singer Gena Dimitrova, while her father and grandfather were both educators who served as teachers and principals. Her brother, an architect, went on to work on major projects in the United States, including the Getty Center and the Lakers’ arena in Los Angeles. Growing up surrounded by such diverse talents helped shape Svetla’s own appreciation for education, science, art, and creativity.

Following her passion for science, Svetla earned a master’s degree in Engineering Physics from Sofia University and later worked at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences while teaching middle and high school students. Her teaching career eventually brought her to the United States when her husband was invited to join a research group at the University of Notre Dame. Today, Svetla teaches at Purdue University Northwest and DeVry University. Her husband is also an educator and software engineer, whose scientific career has included collaborative projects with NASA.

Svetla and her husband moved to the Valparaiso area in 2007, and Northwest Indiana has become their American home. They enjoy gardening, biking, hiking, and exploring the natural beauty of our region. Yet Bulgaria remains an important part of their lives, and Svetla is excited to share the Bulgaria she knows and loves with our community.