Bulgarian communities worldwide honour the Cyrillic alphabet on 24 May

Bulgarian communities around the world marked May 24 — the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture, and of Slavic literature — with concerts, receptions, school celebrations and cultural events.

In the run-up to May 24 the Bulgarian ambassador’s residence in Vienna hosted a reception for representatives of cultural, educational and academic circles.

Official guest at the event was Dr Meglena Plugchieva, foreign policy secretary to Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova, who conveyed the president’s greetings and highlighted her long-standing commitment to Bulgarian communities abroad.

This evening, the Konzerthaus in the Austrian capital will host a Gala Concert of Bulgarian Culture and Music initiated by prominent Bulgarian pianist Donka Angatcheva. The event is under the patronage of Bulgarian Ambassador to Austria Desislava Naydenova-Gospodinova.

• Vienna celebrates Bulgarian culture with a gala concert on May 24

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the Little Bulgarian School — the largest Bulgarian school in the United States — organised a procession and a series of festive events to mark both May 24 and the end of the school year. Bulgaria’s acting ambassador, Stefka Yovcheva, also attended the event.

“Emotions ran high as students, teachers and parents showed their love for the Bulgarian language and traditions, demonstrating that it continues to live on and be passed on to future generations across the ocean,” the Bulgarian embassy wrote on Facebook.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the Little Bulgarian School — the largest Bulgarian school in the United States — organised a procession and a series of festive events to mark both May 24 and the end of the school year. Bulgaria’s acting ambassador, Stefka Yovcheva, also attended the event.

“Emotions ran high as students, teachers and parents showed their love for the Bulgarian language and traditions, demonstrating that it continues to live on and be passed on to future generations across the ocean,” the Bulgarian embassy wrote on Facebook.

A particularly ceremonial moment was the carrying of the Bulgarian and American flags by representatives of the Bulgarian American Police Association (BAPA).

BAPA also announced on social media that May 24, 2026, had officially been proclaimed Bulgarian-American Police Association Day in the state of Illinois by Governor JB Pritzker.

The proclamation acknowledges that Illinois is home to one of the largest Bulgarian communities in the United States, playing an important role in the state's cultural, economic, and public life. Founded in 2020, BAPA works to connect police officers with the Bulgarian community while promoting safety and mutual understanding. To date, the association has donated $28,000 in scholarships to US students of Bulgarian origin, as well as supporting a number of charitable causes.

The Bulgarian embassy in Jordan, in cooperation with the Jordanian Association of Graduates of Bulgarian Universities, brought together ambassadors, diplomats, members of the Jordanian parliament, academics, cultural and media figures, Jordanians who graduated from Bulgarian universities, and representatives of the Bulgarian community in Jordan for a reception marking Bulgaria’s May 24 holiday and Jordan’s May 25 Independence Day.

Bulgarian Ambassador Metin Kazak emphasised the significance of these occasions as symbols of the close relationship between the Bulgarian and Jordanian peoples. He also expressed his gratitude to the association’s leadership, especially its chairman Dr Haydar Ali, for their contribution to strengthening these ties.

• Cairo Hosts May 24 celebration for Bulgarians from Egypt and Sudan

Students from the Sts Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian Sunday School in Jordan took part in the celebration with recitals of poems by Bulgarian authors, while a vocal and instrumental ensemble for traditional Jordanian music from Jordan Television also performed.

• Bulgarians in Rome bring May 24 celebrations to the heart of the Italian capital

Editor: Miglena Ivanova