DOI Heft:
Dyczek, Piotr: Introduction
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41865#0008
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This work would not have been possible without an atmosphere of rnutual trust and
openness, without friendly relations and mutual assistance. Today I would like to thank
the Institute of Archaeology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Municipal Mu-
seum in Sviśtov, and my own Warsaw University for their financial support over the
years, but perhaps foremost for their assistance in creating the proper conditions for our
work at the site.
Not least, I wish to greet today our colleagues from Poznań, who have been working
with us at Novae for the past thirty years. They have been tremendously supportive and
helpful, and I thank them for their contribution to the good working atmosphere for all
of us here.
Words of gratitude are also due our German colleagues working at Iatrus. We have
always been able to count on their generosity and assistance.
Last but not least, I wish to thank the municipal authorities of the town of Sviśtov,
which are rightly proud of the past of their “smali homeland” and have done a great deal
to facilitate our work. The daily digging has benefited greatly from the dedication of our
Bulgarian workers, whose hard work is, I hope, a constant source of satisfaction to them.
They are after all personally helping to uncover the rich heritage of their country.
Novae has an unforgettable climate all its own. When I first came here as a young
boy in 1969, not even thinking of archaeology yet, 1 was charmed by the place and the
people working there at the time. 1 never once dreamt I would be in charge of excava-
tions at the site. Who knows, perhaps that first visit perforce gave my life direction.
When I returned here as a student in 1977, the memories retumed. It was supposed to be
my training season as an archaeologist. Seems like I have continued “training” for the
past twenty odd years.
This conference is proof that I am not alone in my sentiments. I had assumed it would
be a modest meeting, yet it turns out that Novae has madę friends around the world,
ffiends wishing to mark the occasion by sharing with others their scholarly accomplish-
ments. I welcome all of the participants of the conference and thank you for accepting
our invitation to come here today. There will be sixty papers read by scholars from many
countries and many scientific institutions from Germany, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Ukrainę,
Serbia and, naturally, from Bułgaria and Poland, united in this joint scholarly effort.
It is hardly possible to mention by name all of our benefactors and all those who
have left some part of their life and work at Novae. To all of them my heartfelt thanks.
We hope to continue to benefit from your advice and assistance, from your work. As for
the youngest generation, I would like to address to you the following words of encour-
agement: Don’t miss out on this opportunity and work together in harmony - let Novae
occupy a warm spot in your hearts!
You are all well aware of what Cicero had to say about history: Historia magistra
vita est. Allow me to ąuote the Master in fuli: “History is a witness to the times, the light
of the truth, the life of memory, a teacher of life”. Let this be a motto for all of us.
The conference could not have been organised without the financial support of all
our sponsors, including, the Scentific Research Committee, Warsaw University, local
Authority of Sviśtov, Vinprom Sviśtov - whom we would like to thank kindly.
Piotr Dyczek
Svistov/iVovae, September 2001
This work would not have been possible without an atmosphere of rnutual trust and
openness, without friendly relations and mutual assistance. Today I would like to thank
the Institute of Archaeology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Municipal Mu-
seum in Sviśtov, and my own Warsaw University for their financial support over the
years, but perhaps foremost for their assistance in creating the proper conditions for our
work at the site.
Not least, I wish to greet today our colleagues from Poznań, who have been working
with us at Novae for the past thirty years. They have been tremendously supportive and
helpful, and I thank them for their contribution to the good working atmosphere for all
of us here.
Words of gratitude are also due our German colleagues working at Iatrus. We have
always been able to count on their generosity and assistance.
Last but not least, I wish to thank the municipal authorities of the town of Sviśtov,
which are rightly proud of the past of their “smali homeland” and have done a great deal
to facilitate our work. The daily digging has benefited greatly from the dedication of our
Bulgarian workers, whose hard work is, I hope, a constant source of satisfaction to them.
They are after all personally helping to uncover the rich heritage of their country.
Novae has an unforgettable climate all its own. When I first came here as a young
boy in 1969, not even thinking of archaeology yet, 1 was charmed by the place and the
people working there at the time. 1 never once dreamt I would be in charge of excava-
tions at the site. Who knows, perhaps that first visit perforce gave my life direction.
When I returned here as a student in 1977, the memories retumed. It was supposed to be
my training season as an archaeologist. Seems like I have continued “training” for the
past twenty odd years.
This conference is proof that I am not alone in my sentiments. I had assumed it would
be a modest meeting, yet it turns out that Novae has madę friends around the world,
ffiends wishing to mark the occasion by sharing with others their scholarly accomplish-
ments. I welcome all of the participants of the conference and thank you for accepting
our invitation to come here today. There will be sixty papers read by scholars from many
countries and many scientific institutions from Germany, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Ukrainę,
Serbia and, naturally, from Bułgaria and Poland, united in this joint scholarly effort.
It is hardly possible to mention by name all of our benefactors and all those who
have left some part of their life and work at Novae. To all of them my heartfelt thanks.
We hope to continue to benefit from your advice and assistance, from your work. As for
the youngest generation, I would like to address to you the following words of encour-
agement: Don’t miss out on this opportunity and work together in harmony - let Novae
occupy a warm spot in your hearts!
You are all well aware of what Cicero had to say about history: Historia magistra
vita est. Allow me to ąuote the Master in fuli: “History is a witness to the times, the light
of the truth, the life of memory, a teacher of life”. Let this be a motto for all of us.
The conference could not have been organised without the financial support of all
our sponsors, including, the Scentific Research Committee, Warsaw University, local
Authority of Sviśtov, Vinprom Sviśtov - whom we would like to thank kindly.
Piotr Dyczek
Svistov/iVovae, September 2001