Bulgarian Script: 1170 Years of Glagolitic

Vice President Yotova highlighted the key role of the creation of the Bulgarian alphabet and the Christianization in the building of the Bulgarian statehood.

These words were spoken today in the solemn atmosphere of the "Prof. Marin Drinov" hall in the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), where a scientific forum was opened, dedicated to three significant anniversaries: 1160 years since the Christianization of the Bulgarian people, 1170 years since the creation of the Glagolitic alphabet and 1140 years since the repose of St. Methodius.

The hall, filled with scientists and representatives of the academic community, buzzed with anticipation.

The event, organized jointly by the International Foundation "St. St. Cyril and Methodius", the Bulgarian Patriarchate, BAS, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and the Council of Rectors of Higher Schools in Bulgaria, was part of a series of celebrations dedicated to these important dates for Bulgarian history.

The Vice President, honorary patron of the celebrations of the 1170th anniversary of the creation of the Glagolitic alphabet – the first Slavic alphabet, expressed congratulations to the organizers of the forum.

Today we will talk about these three great dates, which remain not just enclosed in the annals of Bulgarian history, but predetermine the development of Bulgaria not only during the Middle Ages, but also to this day – in the influence of our country both within and beyond its geographical borders

stated the Vice President.

She emphasized the acceptance of Christianity during the time of Prince Boris-Michael, defining it as a state act that researchers, analysts and historians compare in its significance with the creation of the Bulgarian state in 681 AD.

The Bulgarian word for education – prosveta, has the same root as the word light

noted the Vice President.

She stressed that the Christianization was a prerequisite for the acceptance of the students of Cyril and Methodius in Bulgaria, for the creation of writing and literature in the vernacular, which finally consolidated it as a whole, guaranteed ethnic identity, and became a barrier to assimilationist and conquering claims.

The divine service in Bulgarian, the second major mission of Prince Boris-Michael, brilliantly continued by his son Simeon, was presented as inextricably linked to the history of the Bulgarian alphabet, which is at the basis of the literacy of many states and Slavic countries created afterwards.

The creation of the Glagolitic alphabet in 855 AD was defined as an epochal event that reshaped the cultural map of Europe. This is not just a new system, but a true revolution for those centuries.

The Vice President also recalled the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet, today the third official alphabet in the European Union, emphasizing its importance and expressing concern about its decreasing spread.

And our task, responsibility and duty is to try to preserve the beautiful Bulgarian letters, to promote the Cyrillic alphabet in the modern world – of high technologies and the internet

said Yotova.

The Vice President also presented the initiatives of the presidential institution for popularizing the Cyrillic alphabet, including the international forums held in Sofia and Plovdiv and the planned third forum next year.

Foreign and Bulgarian scientists spoke about this powerful amalgamation – alphabet, language, faith, identity, and to return the proper place to Bulgarian studies in world science

she shared, expressing gratitude to President Rumen Radev, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Ministry of Education and Science, BAS and the universities for their support.

A state policy is needed for lectureships in Bulgarian language abroad, national policy and awareness of the importance of this culture

concluded the Vice President.