Little Bulgarian School champions the Bulgarian language and culture in Chicago

This year again, as May 24 approaches, the anthem of Bulgarian culture and education, “Go Forward, Revived People”, will be heard not only in Bulgaria, but all around the world wherever Bulgarians live. Bulgarian schools abroad are preparing for this celebration with excitement and enthusiasm.

No exception is the most Bulgarian city across the Ocean - Chicago, home to the largest Bulgarian school abroad. Although it bears the name “Little Bulgarian School,” since its founding in 2010 it has taught more than 650 Bulgarian children living in the Windy City to read and write in Bulgarian. It has long been a tradition at the school for the end of each academic year to coincide with the eve of May 24, marked by a special concert and parade. This year, the celebration will take place on May 16:

“The parade is one of the most successful and inspiring events we organize,” the school’s principal, Zhivka Petrova, told Radio Bulgaria. “It is telling that many parents ask us months in advance when it will be held so they can plan their summer vacations, because they very much want to attend this final day. We parade in front of the high school building in Elk Grove Village, where ‘Little Bulgarian School’ was born -  carrying portraits of teachers and many flags.

For the past two years, we have also had a huge Bulgarian flag carried by children who have already graduated from our school. After that, we enter the theater and hold a ceremonial concert. This year, the performers will include children participating in extracurricular activities. We have five dance ensembles, solo performers, and our vocal group as well. In addition, during the concert, certificates from the ‘Seal of Biliteracy’ Bulgarian language program will be awarded for the first time. This certificate is granted after passing a serious examination before Sofia University, certifying written and spoken proficiency in Bulgarian at the B1 or B2 level. We hope the certificates will be presented by a representative of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

This year, special guests from Bulgaria are expected, and the honor of delivering the traditional ceremonial speech on that day will belong to journalist and screenwriter Georgi Toshev.

The day after the parade and ceremonial concert of “Little Bulgarian School” in Chicago, the Bulgarian community will gather once again - this time for the now traditional Bulgaria Parade. The event is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 17 and is dedicated to the Bulgarian holiday of May 24 - the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture, and Slavic literature. It is jointly organized by the Bulgarian Consulate General in Chicago and the municipality of Elk Grove Village.

For the first time, students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will participate. After decades of neglect, interest in Bulgarian studies overseas was revived there with the support of the Bulgarian Consul General in Chicago, Svetoslav Stankov.

University of Illinois to launch Bulgarian Studies on 20 October

A special guest at the Bulgaria Parade will be the beloved Bulgarian performer Orlin Goranov.

Edited by E. Karkalanova