Andriyan Hristov has been an anonymous principle for more than 20 years but in 2017, he received quite a bit of media attention thanks to his efforts in integrating Syrian refugees and traditional ethnic minorities. During a ceremony that took place on 11 May 2017 in the Rila Mountains, this principle of Primary school St. Cyril and St. Methodius was awarded by the Education Minister Krasimir Valchev with the St. Ivan Rilski, the highest honorary prize given every year to outstanding principles. 

In his school, located in the village of Ivanovo (close to the Bulgarian-Turkish border), all pupils dance together every day under the motto “Dance unites us all”. In 2016, the school dance club "Ethnic Folklore" ranked first in the international contest “Magic World”. His positive message that refugee integration is possible was spread by the main TV stations in times when in 2 other Bulgarian towns – Elin Pelin and Belene - locals were protesting against two refugee families who wanted to register in the respective municipalities.

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