The Bulgarian Cultural and Education Centre being built in Ferencváros reached its highest point, and on the occasion of this, a topping-out ceremony was held on 6 January, Epiphany Day. Last year, on 6 March 2022, the foundation stone of the new Bulgarian cultural centre was laid on the plot at 19 Vágóhíd Street in the 9th District, next to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Cyril and St. Methodius and the Bulgarian community centre. That day was Bulgaria's national holiday. The fact that the current event was also timed for a holiday indicates that the new institution under construction is of particular importance to the Bulgarian community living in Budapest.

Miklós Soltész, the Prime Minister's Secretary of State for Church and Ethnic Relations (left) ties a ribbon of the national colour to the wreath among the guests at the topping-out ceremony of the Bulgarian Education and Cultural Centre under construction on 6 January (Photo: MTI/Márton Mónus)

Bulgarians have been celebrating Christmas on December 25 and 26 since 1968, and Epiphany Day is a very important holiday in Bulgarian traditions. Thus, that day began with a festive liturgy in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Saint Cyril and Methodius at 15 Vágóhíd Street, and after the church ceremony, the participants marched to the Bulgarian Cultural and Education Centre being built on the adjacent plot. The wreath, tied with a ribbon, was lifted with a crane to the highest point of the new building, 18.6 metres.

The wreath is placed on the top of the building (Photo: MTI/Márton Mónus)

At the ceremony, Miklós Soltész, the Prime Minister's Secretary of State for Church and Ethnic Relations, stated that it is the holiday of Epiphany, which coincides with the Christmas holiday of Orthodox Christians. "We can place this wreath as a Christmas present, as an Epiphany gift," he noted, referring to the wreath, Epiphany and Orthodox Christmas.

The Saint Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Vágóhíd Street in 2015 (Photo: Ferencvárosi Local History Collection)

Despite the difficulties of war and inflation, the government continues to support the Bulgarian community, said the Secretary of State. He reminded that many doubted whether it made sense to build a third building, a cultural and educational centre, near the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Cyril and St. Methodius and the Bulgarian community centre. He indicated: the previously used Bajza Street building no longer met the needs of the community. He thanked the members of the Bulgarian community who were able to spare this so that instead they could build a modern centre next to the church and the community centre - it can be read in the news of MTI.

At the end of the ceremony, according to the report of the Bulgarian Ethnic Government, the guests were offered mulled wine and Bulgarian kebabs. Afterwards, the participants marched to the Danube to perform the ceremony of throwing the Holy Cross into the Danube - it can be read on the Facebook page of the Bulgarian Ethnic Government. (The cross must be brought out of the water by men - Ed.)

Source: MTI, Bulgarian Ethnic Government, Pestbuda.hu

Cover photo: The Bulgarian Educational and Cultural Centre under construction on 6 January 2023 (Photo: MTI/Márton Mónus)