Chitalishte Community Centre Is Third Oldest Institution in Bulgaria, Says Chair of Oldest Bulgarian Chitalishte

Filip Pavlov, BTA correspondent Andrey Kyuchukov

Plamen Aleksandrov, chair of the Elenka and Kiril D. Avramovi –1856 chitalishte in Svishtov, during the presentation of the new issue of BTA's LIK magazine in Svishtov, January 30, 2026 (BTA Photo/Biser Todorov)

Svishtov, on the Danube,

30.01.2026 14:48

(BTA)

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The chitalishte community centre is the third oldest institution in Bulgaria, only the school and the church are older, Plamen Aleksandrov, chair of the Elenka and Kiril D. Avramovi –1856 chitalishte in Svishtov, the first Bulgarian chitalishte community centre, said on Friday. He participated in the presentation of the new issue of BTA's LIK magazine.

The new issue of LIK, the BTA magazine for literature, culture and art, is dedicated to the chitalishte community centers. Titled "Chitalishta: Past and Future", it marks the 170th anniversary of the first Bulgarian chitalishte, founded on January 30, 1856 in the northern town of Svishtov. Drawing on highlights from BTA’s rich archive, the magazine explores the history and future of these cultural institutions, often described as a uniquely Bulgarian phenomenon.

"This anniversary is not only nice, but also obligatory. These 170 years are truly a good sign that what was created before the state was founded is still alive today and continues to bring people together, continues to fulfill its social role and to be, as Rakovski says, our common home," Aleksandrov emphasized. He added that mentioning Georgi Rakovski in the context of community centres is mandatory. "I sincerely hope that if he is looking at us from somewhere, he is happy that his idea has been alive for 170 years," he said.

"I thank BTA for this event and for dedicating an entire issue of the magazine to this anniversary. This helps us see the significance of the event. Caught up in our daily activities, we cannot always feel the scale of what is happening," Aleksandrov stated.

He pointed out that just as the LIK magazine is now distributed free of charge, the founders of this community centre printed mathematics textbooks and set aside 100 copies for distribution to Bulgarian schools in Macedonia. "Imagine the view these people had of the world and of how things ought to be. A bow to them. I hope that today, 170 years later, we will try to be their worthy successors,” Aleksandrov concluded.

/RD/