Ignite the Fire of Wisdom Within
“Dialogue helps people to be born again, to discover new senses of their own existence and that of others.”
“I believe that even the most brilliant technological achievements cannot replace the strength and moral purity of the human spirit.”
“Culture is not only a treasury of values from the past, but a moral obligation for the present and the future.”
Dr. Axinia Djurova is a distinguished Bulgarian art historian, philologist, and cultural scholar whose work spans Slavo-Byzantine studies, manuscript preservation, and intercultural dialogue. A professor emeritus at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and corresponding member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, she has also served as Vice-Rector of the university and is a Doctor Honoris Causa of Soka University.
Her academic training includes degrees in Bulgarian philology and art history from Sofia and Moscow, with further specialization at the University of Belgrade. She has taught and conducted research at institutions around the world, including Yale University, the Vatican Library, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Sorbonne. Notably, she created the first inventory of Slavonic manuscripts at the Vatican Library and has authored numerous books and documentary films on Byzantine art and cultural heritage.
In recognition of her lifetime achievements, Dr. Djurova has been awarded the Honorary Badge (Neck Order) of Sofia University for her outstanding contribution to scholarship and the founding of the Center for Slavo-Byzantine Studies “Prof. Ivan Dujchev.” She is also the recipient of the Golden Bulgarian Rose Award for her cultural and charitable contributions, and has served as Chair of the Jury for the Zahari Zograf National Painting Prize, one of Bulgaria’s most prestigious art honors.
Deeply committed to ethical dialogue and global understanding, Dr. Djurova co-authored two book-length dialogues with peace philosopher Daisaku Ikeda: The Beauty of a Lion’s Heart (1999) and Awakening a Great Revival of Our Humanity (2017). Her intellectual pursuits reflect a lifelong dedication to preserving the moral and spiritual legacy of culture while promoting the transformative power of human connection. Her contributions to education, literature, and international cooperation exemplify the spirit of Arete—cultivating dignity, wisdom, and global citizenship.
Source: Sofia University Press (original Bulgarian edition: Princeps, Sofia, 2000)
Topic: First published dialogue with Daisaku Ikeda, focusing on the spiritual dimensions of courage and intercultural understanding through the lens of literature and humanism.
Awakening a Great Revival of Our Humanity (url unavailable)
Source: University Publishing House “St. Kliment Ohridski,” Sofia University Press. 2017 dialogue; Bulgarian edition October 2020.
Topic: A second dialogue with Daisaku Ikeda emphasizing the urgent need for ethical renewal, cultural memory, and education to cultivate a global humanistic spirit.
In the World of the Manuscripts (2007)
Source: Sofia University Press, 2007 (St. Kliment Ohridski)
Topic: A landmark study of Slavo-Byzantine manuscripts, presenting rich insight into their artistic, theological, and historical significance. Features over 470 pages with visual illustrations.
The Dialogue: Audiatur et altera pars — May the Other Side Also be Heard (February 2025)
Source: The Journal of Oriental Studies, Vol. 34
Topic: In this featured essay, Djurova explores the transformative role of intercultural dialogue, urging for deeper listening as a foundation of humanistic engagement and peacebuilding.
Sacred Art, Secular Context: Objects of Art from the Byzantine Collection at Dumbarton Oaks (1994)
Source: Edited volume featuring Dr. Djurova among contributing scholars
Topic: A multidisciplinary examination of Orthodox manuscript and icon traditions, with Djurova’s contributions shedding light on the sacred aesthetic of Byzantine visual culture.
Support the Arete Youth Academy through your donor-advised fund or by including us in your will or estate plan.
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EIN: 20-8516833
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Bill Taylor was the visionary founder of the original Arete West program, which ran from 1979 to 2017. Over the course of 40 years, he personally led students on 20 transformative journeys across the globe, inspiring hundreds of young people to pursue wisdom, leadership, and compassionate service. His encouragement helped spark the creation of the Arete Youth Academy, which carries forward his mission to empower youth through education. This scholarship fund ensures his legacy continues to shape future generations.
To designate your gift:
1. Visit our donation page.
2. Enter your donation amount and choose the “Give in honor or in memory of someone” option.
3. In the “Honoree’s Name” field, type “Bill Taylor Scholarship Fund”
Gifts to the Bill Taylor Scholarship Fund will be used to provide tuition support for one or more participants in each cohort—extending Bill’s spirit of mentorship and service to future generations.
We’ll send a personalized message to your honoree or their family, letting them know how their influence continues to empower youth through Arete.
In Greece, students will walk in the footsteps of the world’s first philosophers—tracing the origins of inquiry, democracy, and the examined life. Standing in the Agora, where Socrates engaged young Athenians in fearless dialogue about virtue and truth, participants will reflect on how authentic conversation remains the heartbeat of human progress. Visits to the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, and the ruins of Aristotle’s Lyceum will anchor discussions on the birth of reason and the moral responsibilities of free thought. Key readings will include selections from Plato’s Apology and Republic, Pericles’ Funeral Oration, and Constantine Cavafy’s timeless poem Ithaka, urging travelers to cherish the inner journey as much as the destination. Students will also explore Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, reflecting on his vision of “eudaimonia”—a flourishing life achieved through virtue and self-mastery—and its relevance to modern global citizenship.