Under the patronage of Iliana Iotova, a forum "Innovative methods and materials for teaching Bulgarian history and geography of Bulgaria in Bulgarian schools abroad" is being held in Lisbon

 

Your mission is huge - not only to teach Bulgarians born abroad, but also to explain to them what the Motherland is, to teach them to think in Bulgarian, to know the great Bulgarian authors, Bulgarian literature and Bulgarian history. With these words, Vice President Iliana Iotova addressed teachers in Bulgarian Sunday schools abroad from 15 countries who are participating in the forum "Innovative methods and materials for teaching Bulgarian history and geography of Bulgaria in Bulgarian schools abroad". The event takes place in Lisbon under the patronage of the Vice President. Organisers are the Ministry of Education and Science, the Portuguese-Bulgarian Association "SS Cyril and Methodius" and the Bulgarian Sunday School of the same name in Lisbon, in partnership with the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad, Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski" and the University of Lisbon.

 

In her speech, Iliana Iotova emphasised that Sunday schools are the greatest success, the most visible result in politics with Bulgarians abroad. They become a kind of spiritual centres - there our compatriots feel like a community, there the Bulgarian self-awareness is preserved, the vice president pointed out. She again called for the creation of a Bulgarian National Cultural Institute abroad, which will also support the activities of Sunday schools. This idea finds support in various circles both in Bulgaria and among our compatriots abroad. Unfortunately, the necessary political will is still lacking in Bulgaria, Iotova said. Such an institute will also attract the interest of foreign citizens to the Bulgarian language, traditions, culture and spirituality.

 

Our task today is not an easy one - to discuss how the methods of teaching Bulgarian language, history and culture are transferred over time, how they meet the challenges of the modern times in which we live. How to attract and retain the interest of children who have inexhaustible sources of information, how to speak their language. How can we make that successful amalgamation of knowledge, experience, innovation and interest, so that together with the children abroad, we can sculpt the image of Bulgaria, Iotova pointed out.

 

She highlighted the active activity of the Ministry of Education and Science for Bulgarian Sunday schools with the National Program Native Language and Culture Abroad. You have the opportunity to be creative, to develop and adapt the initiatives of the Ministry of Education and Culture to the specifics of the countries in which you live and teach, said the vice president.

 

Iliana Iotova pointed to the study of Bulgarian language and culture as a motivation for the return of young Bulgarians to Bulgaria. We cannot return everyone, but we can attract them to study in Bulgarian higher schools, and why not stay in Bulgaria, she pointed out. The vice president expressed hope that with common efforts, success like that in Chicago can be achieved in other countries with the recognition of the Bulgarian language in American diplomas.

 

Bulgaria is not the poorest country; we are not the unhappiest people, as we are often ranked. It is in our hands to change this image, the vice president stressed.