The Bulgarian community in Chicago celebrated May 24 with the “Third Parade of Bulgaria - assembly of the Bulgarian community”. Thousands of Bulgarians honored with songs, dances and music the Day of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture. They paid tribute to the sacred work of Bulgarian teachers, who ignite the flame of enlightenment in the souls of our children. This is what Svetoslav Stankov, Consul General of Bulgaria in Chicago, wrote on his Facebook page. This is what he shared with FACTS on the occasion of the Bulgarian language holiday.
- Mr. Stankov, the Bulgarian community in Chicago celebrated May 24 with a gathering under the motto “Third Parade of Bulgaria”. This is now becoming a tradition. What was new this year?
- America is a country that promotes the cultural diversity of communities. It is a policy that is implemented at both the federal and local levels. The parade is a form of declaration of the largest communities, such as Italian, Irish, Polish, Ukrainian, etc. When I came to Chicago and saw the potential of a Bulgarian community, I said to myself: “Why don't we also have a parade in which we can declare ourselves as Bulgarians?” In 2022, my idea was met extremely positively by the community, and together with the mayor of the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove - Craig Johnson, we launched this event.
Since then “The Parade of Bulgaria“ on the occasion of May 24 in Chicago is the biggest event of the Bulgarian emigration not only in the city, but perhaps also in the world.
Each year the program is enriched because each school and cultural organization finds its own unique way to get involved. In addition, this year, for the first time, in addition to flags, participants were given hundreds of large Bulgarian letters to use in the parade.
- The parade, dedicated to the Day of the Bulgarian Alphabet and Culture, also included a demonstration. How do Americans view us?
- The Americans look extremely positively at us - the Bulgarians, because we are representatives of an ancient civilization. It is always very interesting for them to understand that the Cyrillic alphabet was created in the Bulgarian kingdom in the 9th century and thus spread to the rest of the world, including Russia. Such mass events of the Bulgarians in America and around the world build greater visibility of our community, which naturally leads to greater interest from the local authorities.
The more visible Bulgarians are in America, the greater the chance that their voice as a community will be heard.
The same applies to other countries with a large Bulgarian diaspora around the world - Germany, Spain, Great Britain, etc. As I have always said, Bulgarian emigration is the biggest foreign policy capital of Bulgaria and we are obliged to realize it successfully together.
- You give a personal example, but what is May 24 for you…
- This is HOLIDAY with capital letters for me. My mother has been a teacher of Bulgarian language and literature for more than 30 years, and my mother-in-law is a history teacher. May 24 was always celebrated with special excitement at home. I remember the countless bouquets my mother barely carried, the beautiful seniors coming to pick her up to go to prom. Everything I have seen proves that the Bulgarian has a reserved place in his heart for love for at least one teacher.
- Within the framework of the holiday, you announced that soon the driver's license exam in the state of Illinois will be able to be taken in Bulgarian as well. Tell me more?
- The Bulgarian community is among the largest in the state of Illinois. Currently, the written test for driving licenses, non-professional, can be taken in five languages. I said to myself, why not hold talks with the Secretary of State about the introduction in Bulgarian as well and see how he will react. I made a meeting, I showed him the number of political recognitions that we received in the last two years from the Congress and the governor of the state for the contribution of the Bulgarian community to the development of the state of Illinois. He was impressed and responded very positively. As far as I understand, after the procedure for the introduction of the Bulgarian language has been started and other large communities have also wished their languages to be recognized, this can only make me happy. I expect the community's support for this initiative, because in the end, they will be the main users of this service in Bulgarian, which is entirely at their convenience.
- Do we appreciate the work of Bulgarian teachers…
- I would say yes.
The Bulgarian is a wise and grateful person and has a special relationship with his teachers.
I am glad that in recent years there has been more and more talk about improving the working conditions for Bulgarian teachers. Placing education in the focus of state policy always pays off and is a guarantee of building an enlightened and successful nation.
- What does love for the fatherland look like across the ocean?
- She looks sincere, unadulterated and suffering.
Only an expat knows what it's like to celebrate someone else's holidays and no one around you celebrates yours. Perhaps this leads to an increase in the feeling of patriotism and patriotism.
Bulgarians in America are proud of their origin, sincerely love their FATHERLAND and build a modern and positive image of Bulgaria.
- How is the Bulgarian school in Chicago developing?
- There are 13 Bulgarian Sunday schools in Chicago, and the number itself should show you that they are developing very positively. The program for supporting Bulgarian Sunday schools around the world of the Ministry of Education and Culture is among the most successful programs aimed at Bulgarian emigration. The school not only guarantees the preservation of the Bulgarian language and culture, it unites the community and creates lasting bonds between its members.
I take this opportunity to wish a bright holiday to all Bulgarian teachers around the world, may they continue to be worthy guardians of the word of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius and continue their sacred work of educating our children!