Do you know that the Bolgár Általános Iskola plaque commemorates a school with a rich history? It stands as a reminder of cultural heritage and educational dedication. Let’s uncover the story behind this plaque.
The Bolgár Általános Iskola began its educational journey on February 25 1918. It was located in a building at Lónyay utca 4 in Budapest. Szpirov Konsztantin was the school’s first teacher. The school’s creation is linked to the then Consul General Sztojanovics Iván and Father Szimov. He later became Metropolitan Boris of Nevrokop. They significantly contributed to establishing Bulgarian education in Hungary.
In 1922 the school relocated to Papnövölde street. Teaching continued there for four years. In 1921 Bulgaria reformed its education system. Compulsory education was extended to seven years. Consequently the Budapest school opened its upper grades. The school’s official name became Budapest Bulgarian Elementary School and Lower Gymnasium. From that year a Hungarian language teacher also joined the staff.
By 1931 Dr Nikola Milev became the principal. He transformed the Bolgár Általános Iskola into a true cultural institution. During the 1930s and 1940s the school operated at József utca 20 in the VIII district.
In 1941 Dr Milev initiated a folk university. It hosted various lectures. He also established a library. In 1945 the school came under the supervision of the National Ministry of Education. Two Bulgarian schools briefly operated in Pécs and Miskolc. These were its two branches.
In 1955 the school moved to its new permanent location. The address was Bajza utca 44. In 1981 the Bolgár Általános Iskola was converted. It became a unified polytechnical vocational secondary school with a tourism profile.
In 1994 the Hungarian and Bulgarian Ministries of Education reached an agreement. The school was renamed Hriszto Botev Bolgár-Magyar Általános Iskola és Gimnázium. In 2004 the Bulgarian National Self-Government founded the Bulgarian Language Teaching National Minority School.
However in 2011 the Ministry of Education and Science withdrew its support. It terminated its cooperative activities with the school. In the same year the school established a group for teaching Bulgarian in Halásztelek. In 2012 it established another group in Szigetszentmiklós. Also in 2012 the Bulgarian Language Teaching National Minority School received support. This was from the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. It was based on the Ministerial Council Decree No 334 for Border Bulgarian Schools.
In 2015 the Bulgarian Language Teaching National Minority School opened a new site in Halásztelek. In 2019 it opened a new site in Szigetszentmiklós.
Today the Bolgár Általános Iskola plaque serves as a tribute. It honors the institution’s enduring legacy. It also celebrates its vital role. The school helped preserve Bulgarian language and culture in Hungary. It shows the dedication to education. The Bolgár Általános Iskola plaque is a reminder of the importance of cultural preservation.