The Community Centre for Bulgarians in Hungary has been renovated in Budapest, with funding from the governments of Bulgaria and Hungary. A new Bulgarian educational and cultural centre will be built on the empty plot next to the recently renovated Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, announced Miklós Soltész, Secretary of State for Religion and Ethnic Minorities on the occasion of Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Marijana Nikolova's visit to the Community Centre for Bulgarians in Hungary in the 9th District – writes the MTI.

Miklós Soltész added that the Hungarian government provided about 300 million HUF and by the Bulgarian government about 100 million HUF to the renovation and expansion of the community centre in Vágóhíd Street in the 9th District. The government will provide 2.6 billion HUF towards the construction of the new Bulgarian educational and cultural centre to be built next to the church and opposite the community centre, stated the Secretary of State. Miklós Soltész said that the Bulgarian community has always proved that it serves the Hungarian nation with great love, but that it also cherishes its cultural, linguistic and historical traditions with the same love.

During the renovation, offices were built on a second floor added above the foyer. A multifunctional space for 70–80 people has been created on the former first floor. The stage, the theatre hall and lobby, the gallery, and the fence of the Centre, as well as its terrace, were given a new look during the renovation.

The Community Centre for Bulgarians in Hungary renewed (Photo: bolgarok.hu)

Marijana Nikolova stressed that within the cooperation between the two countries, both governments would do everything possible to develop bilateral relations, especially tourism. The Deputy Prime Minister said that the Bulgarian community had raised the idea a cultural program called Bulgarian Gardeners several times. A cult following has developed around Bulgarian horticulture in Hungary, and this may be where these traditions are most strongly preserved.

Marijana Nikolova also spoke about the fact that 2020 is the centenary of diplomatic relations between Bulgarian and Hungary, and that this anniversary had been commemorated despite the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Vágóhíd Street, 2015 (Photo: Ferencváros Local History Collection)

Muszev Dancso, President of the Bulgarian Ethnic Government, said that the Community Centre for Bulgarians in Hungary was built in 1957 from donations offered by four hundred families. The new centre being planned will house a Bulgarian kindergarten and school as well as Bulgarian cultural institutions. The modern passive house could be built within 2–2.5 years, said Mushev Dancso, who thanked both governments for their support.

Following the public statements, Marijana Nikolova began negotiations on the developments and investments of the Hungarian Bulgarian community with the competent authorities of the Hungarian government and the leaders of the Hungarian Bulgarian community.

Source: MTI, bolgarok.hu

Cover photo: Community Centre for Bulgarians in Hungary renovated, new cultural centre being planned (Photo: bolgarok.hu)

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