Bulgaria Donates Oak Lectern Crafted by the Tryavna Art School to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague
05 October 2026 News
Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Petrova visited the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Peace Palace in The Hague and met with its Secretary-General, Dr Marcin Czepelak. During an official ceremony, she presented a donation on behalf of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The lectern is made of solid oak by teachers at the National High School of Applied Arts “Tryavna School” in Tryavna and is intended for the Court's Administrative Council chamber. The design combines the institution's logo with floral ornaments inspired by Bulgarian National Revival woodcarving.
“International law is not an abstract ideal. It is our common defence against instability, confrontation and the imposition of force. Even the most difficult differences can be resolved through law, dialogue and mutual respect,” Minister Petrova stated.
Velislava Petrova emphasised that more than 125 years after its establishment, the Permanent Court of Arbitration remains an important pillar of the international legal order and provides mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes. Bulgaria is among the 26 states that founded the Court under the 1899 Hague Convention and reaffirms its consistent commitment to peace and the principles of international law.
The donation was made at the initiative of the Bulgarian Embassy in the Netherlands. The lectern will become part of the interior of the Peace Palace, where it will represent Bulgaria's artistic tradition alongside donations from other countries.
The ceremony was attended by the Court's Secretary-General, Dr Marcin Czepelak, Bulgaria's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Elizabet Varbanova, the Registrar of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Santiago Villalpando, Prof. Ekaterina Trendafilova, Ambassador Erik Weststrate, and the Director of the National High School of Applied Arts “Tryavna School”, Orfey Mindov.
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