The Bulgarian flag was raised again in Chicago on March 3

The Bulgarian national flag once again was raised in the heart of Chicago during the official flag-raising ceremony at Daley Plaza. The raising of the flag has become a long-standing tradition for the Bulgarian community in the city as they mark their national holiday, Bulgaria’s Consul General in Chicago, Svetoslav Stankov, wrote on Facebook.

The flag was ceremonially carried by representatives of the Bulgarian-American Police Association, and Bulgaria’s national anthem, Mila Rodino, was performed emotionally by Julia Aragon, the statement said.

The consul also thanked Dr. Iliana Dimitrova, a lecturer in Bulgarian language at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, for her inspiring speech.

“With her dedication and educational mission, she contributes to the revival of the Bulgarian Studies program and to the promotion of the Bulgarian language and culture in academic circles in the United States,” Stankov noted.

“Special thanks to all our compatriots who, despite the freezing Chicago weather, came to the square to honor Bulgaria’s national holiday. Your presence shows that the Bulgarian spirit is strong and alive everywhere in the world,” Stankov wrote.

The celebration continued with a reception in honor of the Bulgarian community, organized by Ms. Maria Pappas, Treasurer of Cook County - a long-time friend of Bulgaria and of the Bulgarian community in the Midwest.

“These events express respect for the contribution of the Bulgarian community to the cultural diversity, public life, and economic development of Chicago and the state of Illinois. Long live Bulgaria! Long live the Bulgarian community in Chicago!” the consul added.

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Edited by Ivo Ivanov
English: R. Petkova