Cairo Hosts May 24 celebration for Bulgarians from Egypt and Sudan

Bulgarians living in Egypt and Sudan marked Bulgaria’s May 24 holiday in Cairo, joining family members and friends of Bulgaria in celebrations dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education, culture and Slavic literature.

In his speech, the Bulgarian Ambassador, Deyan Katrachev, highlighted the historical importance of the work of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their disciples, and the part played by the medieval Bulgarian state in safeguarding and advancing their legacy. He noted that, as in previous years, this year's celebrations coincided with the patron holiday of the St Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian Sunday School in Cairo. He congratulated the school’s leadership, teachers, parents and students on successfully completing the first academic year since the school resumed operations.

Students from the Bulgarian Sunday School presented a programme in Bulgarian dedicated to the holiday, including recitations of classical poems and a performance of the hymn 'Varvi, Narode Vazrodeni'.

The school’s principal, Maria Vaseva, and teacher, Anelia Avramova, received honorary certificates from the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recognition of their contribution to preserving the Bulgarian national identity, language, and culture among Bulgarian children living abroad.

Dr Karim Abdulghani, a lecturer at Mansoura University's Faculty of Humanities, was awarded the Foreign Ministry’s Golden Honour Badge for his contribution to developing bilateral relations in education and science.

Tsvetelina Krasteva, the long-standing concertmaster at the Cairo Opera, was presented with the ministry’s Golden Laurel Branch award in recognition of her efforts to promote Bulgarian culture abroad and foster cultural ties between Bulgaria and Egypt.

Katrachev also noted that 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Egypt.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova