The co-chairman of "Yes, Bulgaria" and MP Ivaylo Mirchev made specific commitments to protect the educational and cultural interests of the Bessarabian Bulgarians during his meetings today in Bolgrad (Ukraine) with local officials and cultural figures. The meeting was attended by the Mayor of Bolgrad Sergey Dmitriev, the Chairman of the Bolgrad City Council Mikhail Sadakliev, the Director of the Bulgarian High School Snezhana Skoric, the Director of the Regional Center for Bulgarian Culture Galina Ivanova and representatives of the municipal administration.
Particular attention was paid to the opportunities provided by the 103rd Government Decree for the education of young people from Bulgarian historical communities in higher education institutions in Bulgaria. This year, however, out of a total of 3,600 applicants from North Macedonia, Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine and a limit of 2,000 places, only 600 people were admitted. Ivaylo Mirchev undertook to investigate the reasons for the low admission, in particular for applicants from Ukraine.
A problem not only in Bulgaria, but especially in Bolgrad is the minimum of 15 students to open a school class. In the unofficial capital of the Bessarabian Bulgarians, there are a maximum of 10-12 children per class. The co-chair of “Yes, Bulgaria” told the participants in the meeting that he would raise with the Minister of Education and Science the question of whether it was not possible to find a more flexible solution for Bolgrad.
During the conversation, it also became clear that in Bolgrad they have a desire to develop museum work, but do not have access to funds under state programs. The MP committed to organizing a meeting with the Minister of Culture and representatives of "Yes, Bulgaria" to create specifically targeted cultural programs, including for Bessarabia and Moldova.
A problem for the Bessarabian Bulgarians is that teachers from Bulgaria no longer come to the Bulgarian high school in the city. Ivaylo Mirchev promised to check with the Ministry of Education and Science what the reasons are for this and the possibility of this practice being resumed.
The People's Representative will also ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs how exactly the war in Ukraine is hindering funding for Bolgrad, because funds under the international cooperation program have been denied for this reason.