site.btaPresident Describes Community Centres as Backbone of Nation's Spiritual Life

President Describes Community Centres as Backbone of Nation's Spiritual Life
President Describes Community Centres as Backbone of Nation's Spiritual Life
Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova speaks at a concert marking 115 years since the founding of the Union of People's Cultural Centres, Sofia, May 7, 2026 (BTA Photo/Minko Chernev)

Bulgaria's community cultural centres, known as chitalishte, are the backbone of preserving the nation's spiritual life, said President Iliana Iotova at a concert on Thursday marking 115 years since the founding of the Union of People's Cultural Centres. The concert was held on the open-air stage "Salsa i Smiah" in Sofia.

"How many things in modern Bulgaria today can we describe and call a 'common national cause'?" Iotova asked. She noted that this year marks another anniversary as well: the 170th anniversary of the nationwide cultural centre movement.

"Your union and the cultural centre activity are an invaluable gem that we must preserve," the President said. According to Iotova, younger generations must also be brought up with the values preserved by cultural centres. "This is how we will preserve the Bulgarian identity," she added.

/KK/

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By 18:44 on 08.08.2026 Today`s news

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