Third International Cyrillic Forum Marks Generation’s Mission to Preserve Bulgaria’s Culture, President Says

Tatiana Marinova, BTA correspondent Desislava Velkova

President Iliana Iotova speaks at the opening of the second part of the Third International Cyrillic Forum at Rila Monastery, March 26, 2026 (BTA Photo/Krasimir Nikolov)

Rila Monastery, Southwestern Bulgaria,

26.03.2026 14:48

(BTA)

The Third International Cyrillic Forum will be remembered as the moment the generation took on the great responsibility and mission of carrying Bulgaria’s history, ancient culture, and spirituality into the digital age, President Iliana Iotova said on Thursday to participants of the second day of the forum, held in the Icon Gallery of Rila Monastery.

“Notably, one of the forum’s main participants were the students of the National High School for Ancient Languages and Cultures. They showed us that the life of the Cyrillic alphabet continues into the digital age, provided that we remain its guardians and watch closely to ensure our language is not replaced by others, and that our beautiful Bulgarian words and Cyrillic letters are preserved,” Iotova said.

She wished the forum participants success, new discoveries, and productive work with texts, old books, manuscripts, and epigraphic inscriptions, emphasizing that this culture should belong not only to Bulgarians but to all humanity. Iotova also expressed gratitude to the Rila Monastery for hosting the second day of the forum.

The President added that the next edition of the forum will take place in 2028, with the theme to be determined. Addressing guests from universities and institutions across Europe, she said: “You are always welcome in Bulgaria. This country is connected not only to your careers and professions, but I am convinced that from the moment you entered this spiritual and cultural space, it has become part of you. I sincerely thank you for your love for our homeland, for Bulgaria. I wish you health, and for the upcoming Easter holidays, all the best for you and your families, and I look forward to our next meeting.”

The two-day forum on "Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age" brings together scholars from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Bulgarian universities, as well as distinguished speakers from Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Kazakhstan and China. It is held under the auspices of the National Commission of the Republic of Bulgaria for UNESCO, with the assistance of the Ministry of Education and Science and the support of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The first part of the forum took place at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Sofia on Wednesday.

Thursday's academic programme focuses on St John of Rila (876-946), marking 1,080 years since his passing. Attending the event are the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil, Hegumen of the Rila Monastery, Bishop Evlogii of Adrianople, Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop, and Bulgarian News Agency Director General Kiril Valchev.

/NF/