site.btaBulgarian Community Centres Have Bright Future, President Says

The Bulgarian community centre [chitalishte], which has survived for 170 years, mostly thanks to Bulgarian patriots and cultural figures involved in the educational activities, has a bright future ahead even now, in the 21st century, said President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with the National Representative Committee on Occasion of the 170-Year National Community Centres' Anniversary. She was quoted by the Presidential press service on Thursday. Community centres contributed to the formation of the Bulgarian community far before the reemerging of the Bulgarian State, she added.

The meeting was attended by the Committee Chair, Prof. Nikolay Doynov, and other Committee members, institutional and local authority representatives, media.

The participants discussed the necessity of measures regarding public community centres financing, as well as conservation and renovation of the building fund. The attendees emphasized the legal framework, under which community centres function, and the desire of Bulgarian communities abroad to establish public community centres. The only one existing so far in Edirne is a branch of the Prosveta 1870 National Community Centre in Svilengrad, Southern Bulgaria.

The further development of Bulgarian community centres should be considered a priority for all national institutions, stated Iotova. The meeting participants expressed hope that the National Assembly and the new government will prioritize cultural policies.

Committee representatives praised the President for her support for the community centres' initiatives over the years.

The agenda covered organizational matters regarding the celebratory initiatives of the anniversary. Iotova stressed the full support of the Presidential institution for the planned events and festivities.