As presented by Bulgarian newspapersBy:

Radostin Nanov

Of the Importance of the DateOf the Importance of the Date24 of May is one of the Brightest

Bulgarian holidays – the

Bulgarian Education and Culture

and Slavonic Alphabet Day.

Therefore, most newspapers

write about it.

24 May – National Holiday of 24 May – National Holiday of BulgariaBulgaria

On 24 May the two saint brothers,st. Kiril and st. Methodius andthe language they created arecommemorated. They were thecreators of the Slavic alphabet.This day is considered a nationalholiday in Bulgaria, Macedonia,Russia, Czech Republic (5 July)and Slovakia (5 July)

Bulgarian Education and Culture and Slavonic Alphabet Day

It used to be a religious holiday,but on 11.05.1851, in Plovdiv, bythe initative of Najden Gerov (ateacher and writer), it wascelebrated as a national holiday.It is one of the few holidays with religious character that were celebrated during the communist regime in Bulgaria. Its anthem is “Warwi narode wazrodeni” (Walk nation reborn) by S. Mihajlovski and P. Pipkov.

That Day: Preparations for the That Day: Preparations for the HolidayHoliday

Most newspapers feature articles about the greatness of the Bulgarian education, culture, and people. One of them states that there are over 20 teachers given medals and orders for their work. Interesting to note is the strong foreign presence – Ukrainian poets, Russian theatre stagings, praises for the USSR…

First Congress for the Bulgarian First Congress for the Bulgarian CultureCulture

On 23 May all newspapers

featured the same speech –

Todor Zhivkov’s speech for

the closing of the Congress

for the Bulgarian Culture. There is no actual

information about the Congress itself.

““The Working People of Bulgaria”The Working People of Bulgaria”Besides the national holiday all newspapers featured information about the working people of Bulgaria and their great successes, praising the production of early tomatoes and the beginning of the toursit season at the seaside.

A brigade at work. Educating the new employees

““Around the world…”Around the world…”All the bad news were for capitalist

countries:

A caricatureFor the Russia with love – all the newspapers

were praising the Soviet block.

“…“…And at home”And at home”As a rule the newspapers praised Bulgarian

spirit, productivity, intelligence…

A factory, praised for productivity. A “champions” column.

Conclusion: That Day and the Conclusion: That Day and the NewspapersNewspapers

Unsurprisingly, the typical characters of the Bulgarian newspaper of the 60s are: propaganda, optimism, positivism, strong ties to the USSR, and a mixture of disinformation about matters concerning Bulgaria and negative information about capitalist countries.

THE END