site.btaFive Student Projects on Bulgarian Heritage Presented in Moldova

Five projects on Bulgarian language, history and traditions were presented in the "Bulgarian Language and Literature" section of a regional research competition held on April 15 in Comrat, Gagauzia. The regional research projects competition was organized by the General Directorate of Education of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia and took place at the Mihai Eminescu Theoretical Lyceum in Comrat.

The projects were evaluated under ten criteria, with awards of up to 600 lei (about EUR 30), Dr Maria Delibaltova, seconded by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Education and Science, told BTA.

The jury was chaired by Ivo Hristov, with members including experts seconded from Bulgaria and a student representative.

Participants presented projects on topics such as local fountains as cultural heritage, Bulgarian phraseology, the historical role of a church in Kirsovo, the traditional tavern, and women’s jewellery among Bulgarians in Bessarabia. The works included a dictionary, a documentary film and a handmade model.

Dr Delibaltova noted that this year’s projects stood out for producing practical educational materials applicable in the learning process.

The competition featured 162 projects across 20 sections for students from primary to secondary level.

The Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia is the only administrative autonomy within Moldova. It has its own legislative body, the People’s Assembly, and an executive authority headed by the Bashkan. The administrative centre is Comrat. According to official data for 2024, the population of the autonomy is 103,668. Gagauz people make up approximately 82-83% of residents, while the remainder consists of Moldovans, Russians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians and other ethnic groups. The Bulgarian community in Gagauzia is relatively small but historically established, accounting for about 5% of the population.