Chitalishte Community Centres Are in the Focus of 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 30 January 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. The issue is due to be presented in Svishtov by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and LIK Editor-in-Chief Georgi Lozanov, with a video connection to BTA press clubs in Bulgaria and abroad.

Kiril Valchev writes in the introduction that the past of the chitalishte offers vital lessons for Bulgaria’s present and future. He recalls that they were created to pass on ancestral knowledge and to absorb experience from other nations. Valchev outlines ten key lessons, among them the idea that Bulgaria advances through knowledge, that education requires active participation by every individual, and that access to knowledge must be open to all. He stresses the irreplaceable value of live human interaction, social unity, respect for cultural achievements, and the potential of chitalishte to unite Bulgarians abroad. According to him, these institutions remain one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful and valuable cultural faces.

Prof. Nikolay Doynov, Chair of the Union of Chitalishte Community Centers, describes the future of the chitalishte as “bright,” emphasizing their resilience over 170 years. He underlines that the chitalishte is not static but constantly evolving, offering a successful social model that is widely recognized and accepted. Doynov highlights their historic role as a cultural breakthrough for the Bulgarian people, recalling Simeon Radev’s observation that while other Balkan nations pursued revolution with swords, Bulgarians did so with a book in hand.

Dr. Silva Nalbantyan-Hacherian, who contributed to the UNESCO nomination of the Bulgarian chitalishte, emphasizes that it is a living organism shaped by its members. She points out that the chitalishte creates spaces for education, community meetings, and youth engagement. According to her, even 170 years later, they remain essential to both urban and rural communities, successfully preserving their educational mission while expanding into modern cultural activities. In 2017, this living tradition was recognized by UNESCO as a model good practice for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

Spaska Tarandova, Executive Director of the Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation, notes that today’s chitalishte needs new energy, reforms, and stronger social and political support. She stresses its role in ensuring access to information, lifelong learning, and community communication. Tarandova argues that chitalishta can remain relevant only if their libraries offer up-to-date, accessible collections in both physical and digital formats, while complementary activities such as reading clubs and creative workshops help sustain reading habits.

Plamen Aleksandrov, Chair of the Elenka and Kiril D. Avramovi–1856 chitalishte in Svishtov, shares that the greatest satisfaction comes from the chitalishte’s lasting place in the life of the city. He says it is one of the few institutions people refer to with affection as “ours,” a word that captures the deep emotional bond between the community and its cultural center after more than 170 years of shared history.

Writer Vladimir Zarev highlights the strong connection between the regional community centres and Bulgarian writers. According to him, the greatest strength of chitalishte culture lies in its authenticity and lack of pretension. Unlike professional art, chitalishte activities are based on openness and mass participation, allowing people not only to consume culture but also to create it themselves and take part in a shared creative experience.

Yuriy Valkovski, Director of the Community Cultural Centers Foundation, outlines ten strategic dilemmas facing the chitalishte today. He observes a genuine revival, even outside media attention, as many centers organize festivals, expand clubs, attract young readers, host performances, and revive film screenings. In villages especially, chitalishta have grown beyond their traditional cultural role to engage in social and community health activities. Valkovski concludes that their role in preserving Bulgarian folklore remains irreplaceable.