‘The Todorov Equation’ for the Pleasure of Thinking: Interview with Academician Ivan Todorov (Commented and annotated by Milena Angelova)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33919/ANHNBU.25.2.1.8Abstract
Interview by Ivayla Alexandrova with Academician Ivan Todorov (1933‒2025), Tzvetan Todorov’s brother.1 The conversation took place on October 13 2023 at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia. Acad. Ivan T. Todorov (1933‒2025) was one of the most famous Bulgarian physicists. Todorov’s main scientific interests revolved around axiomatic quantum field theory, conformal field theory, and symmetry principles in quantum (field) theory. He was particularly drawn to many aspects of conformal field theory and applications of Lie group theory, Kac-Moody algebras, and quantum groups. His research also reflected a profound interest in the structural connections between quantum (field) theory and mathematics, including number theory. He was repeatedly invited to be a consultant to the Nobel Committee in the process of nominating laureates for the Nobel Prize. Among his numerous contributions, he made fundamental contributions to the axiomatic foundations of quantum field theory and conformal theories. The total number of scientific works by Acad. Ivan Todorov exceeds 250, including 11 monographs, most of which have been published by the most prestigious scientific publishing houses. He delivered lectures by special invitation in nearly 30 elite world scientific canters, and reports at dozens of the most authoritative international conferences and symposia. Acad. Todorov received numerous awards and distinctions during his lifetime. In 2014, he published an autobiographical book Science, Personalities, Experiences. In this interview, Ivan Todorov spoke from his own life experience about the intersecting effects – on his chosen research topics, methodological approaches, the enriching people around us, and “the pleasure of reflection”.
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