“Bulgarche” school in Dubai – a pillar of Bulgarian identity in the Arab world

The children of Bulgarians living in Dubai also have their own educational and cultural center, which has opened its doors for its 20th academic year. The Sunday school, called “Bulgarche”, plays an important role by providing Bulgarian-language education to all children who want to learn Bulgarian. The school is also attended remotely by children from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and other countries.

The school was founded in 2007 at the initiative of the local Bulgarian community and with the assistance of the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Dubai. Around 170 children are currently enrolled, ranging from the youngest pupils in the preparatory group to students in Grade 12. In practice, “Bulgarche” in Dubai brings together all the Sunday schools that previously operated under various associations or church councils.

Since non-governmental organizations are not allowed to operate in the UAE, placing the school under the Bulgarian consulate was the only option. The parents unanimously decided to support the school’s activities both morally and financially. Today, the Bulgarian school is becoming increasingly popular among children and parents. “Our advantage is that, for in-person classes, the children study in a school building. We have access to all the facilities at Ambassador International School”, says Diana Nazhi from The Bulgarian Sunday School ''Bulgarche'' in Dubai. 

“This school gives children something truly valuable — the chance to learn Bulgarian and connect with our traditions. That is the most important thing for me. I have been living in Dubai for nearly 25 years, and my children grew up there. Thanks to the school, which follows the curriculum of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Education and Science, they can read and write in Bulgarian. About 42 children from neighboring countries attend online classes, while the rest are from Dubai. By my estimate, there are perhaps 5,000 to 7,000 Bulgarians living in the UAE.”

This summer, temperatures in Dubai once again exceeded 40°C, and most Bulgarian families returned home for their summer vacation. Schools there reopen on September 1, so the summer holiday has already come to an end for the students at “Bulgarche” Sunday School.

“We also have to comply with local regulations in the Arab world, while finding qualified teachers has proved to be the biggest challenge”, Diana Nazhi adds.

“In Dubai, the Bulgarian Sunday School has to comply with a special requirement that history and geography cannot be taught in person. The school management found a solution by moving those classes online. We have a teacher from Cyprus who is a professional educator and teaches the children history and geography. This is a real privilege, because finding teachers for Bulgarian Sunday schools is extremely difficult. The parents are wonderful and intelligent people. They place great importance on their children receiving a good education and learning Bulgarian. We have some incredible children coming to our school, with all kinds of talents. Last year, for the Day of the National Revival Leaders, we held a somewhat unconventional concert showcasing our children’s talents. We had musicians, ballerinas and gymnasts, and everyone had the opportunity to showcase their abilities in their own field. It was an unforgettable celebration of Bulgarian talent!”, said Diana Nazhi.

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov