site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian Embassy Opens Reading Contest "Az Buki Vedi" in London

On Saturday, the Bulgarian Embassy in London hosted the official opening of the ninth international Bulgarian reading contest Az Buki Vedi for first and second grade pupils abroad, which is held under the patronage of Bulgarian Ambassador in London Tihomir Stoytchev.

In his address, he pointed out that the Bulgarian Embassy in London considers it a priority to support Bulgarian schools, which, in his words, continue the Renaissance mission of preserving the Bulgarian language, spirit, culture and traditions among children and young people abroad.

Stoytchev noted that the competition is held with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science, including financial, as well as with the support of the National Assembly through the Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad.

Among the official guests of the competition in London were Education Ministry's Education of Bulgarians Abroad Department Expert Asen Petrov, parliamentary Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad Chair Stoyan Taslakov, and Deputy Chair Denitsa Simeonova, as well as members of the Committee Angel Georgiev, Aylin Pehlivanova, Nezhdet Shaban, the chief expert in the Committee, Lidia Malinova, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and Bulgarian National Radio Director General Milen Mitev.

This competition is a significant initiative that not only motivates and inspires young Bulgarians to enrich their language skills, but also strengthens their connection with their native culture, said Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev’s message. According to him, Az Buki Vedi also gives teachers and parents the opportunity to engage in the modern learning process and strengthen their identity while living outside Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian school “Cyril and Methodius” in Dortmund, Germany, will host the eleventh edition of the Az Buki Vedi contest, which is scheduled to take place in 2027. The Bulgarian school “Cyril and Methodius” in Paris accepted the statuette for hosting the tenth edition in 2026. The hosts were determined after a draw during the ninth edition of the competition on Saturday.

BTA is the official media partner of the competition.