What is the best way to release the stress of midterms week? Getting your knowledge tested in front of 300 people with only seconds to answer? Though it may not sound like the obvious choice, this is exactly how the Business Club chose to lift the mood on campus.
Six teams of AUBGers stepped on the stage for the very first edition of “Who Knows Business?”. Facing a packed theater, participants had only seconds to respond to a mix of intro and advanced-level questions from the marketing, management, sustainability, and finance sphere.
To go event further from the regular classroom exam, the organizers approached the well-known stand-up comedian Nikolaos Tsitiridis to host the event.
Yet, the faculty participation was not skipped. The questions for all categories were provided by prof. Radeva, prof. Petkov, prof. Gyurov and prof. Darby, prof. Adsett and prof. Petrova. Professor Darby admitted he was impressed by the level of production the students delivered.
“I was immensely impressed with the extraordinary level of preparation and teamwork necessary to deliver this event. This was an ambitious idea with many moving parts, yet the team pulled it off and managed to create an evening which was entertaining and fun and which, in so doing, showed off the diverse talents of students at AUBG.”
Professor Radeva reflected on the challenge participants embraced.
“Answering highly specific questions is demanding on its own. Doing it in front of hundreds of people adds another layer entirely. It requires confidence, quick thinking, and a willingness to take risks.”
For the organizers, the goal extended beyond testing business knowledge.
“We wanted to experiment with a new format that brings excitement both to the audience and the participants. Seeing a full theater and hearing the reactions throughout the evening confirmed that the idea resonated with the community,” said Helena Bubalova.
“We are glad that we took the risk of doing something new at the university. And we are mostly thankful to everyone who supported the cause and donated for the local home for disadvantaged children.”
AUBG seniors Pavel Dimitrov and Velizar Stankov, members of the winning team, reflected on their experience after the event.
When asked why they decided to sign up, Pavel laughed: “It was a completely spontaneous decision. I signed up without even telling my teammates at first. It happened on a random Tuesday, and somehow it turned out to be one of the best decisions.”
“Sometimes you just take the opportunity when it appears. I saw the email, signed up, and thought, ‘Why not?’ Events like this make campus life memorable.”
Looking back, both agreed that the quiz night deserves a place among the club’s signature events.
“In my years at AUBG, this is one of the most engaging formats I have experienced,” Velizar said. “It combines knowledge, adrenaline, and entertainment. We definitely need more events like this.”
Because sometimes the best way to survive midterms is not to escape the pressure, but to step into the spotlight and enjoy the challenge.
