With a concert in the National Palace of Culture and the giving out of the Sirak Skitnik awards, the Bulgarian National Radio celebrated its 80^th birthday. The Grand award “Sirak Skitnik 2014” was given to the directors general of the BNR from 1935 to 2013. Leading names in the BNR programmes were distinguished with the award as well. In the prestigious category Radio Journalism the award was given to Iliana Raycheva from Radio Bulgaria. On the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of the media President Rossen Plevneliev distinguished the BNR with the Badge of Honour of the President for the exceptional contribution of the radio in establishing high professional standards in Bulgarian journalism. BNR Director General Radoslav Yankulov received the honourary distinction. Video addresses to greet the BNR were extended by European Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva and UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova.