The MTI reports that a new cultural and educational centre will be built for the Bulgarian community in Budapest for nearly 3 billion HUF.

Speaking at a press conference held in the courtyard the of St. Cyril and St. Methodius Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the 9th District, Miklós Soltész, Secretary of State for Religion and Ethnic Minorities within the Office of the Prime Minister. The Hungarian and Bulgarian governments have pledged funding to the project, while the local community will renounce its right to use a state-owned property on Bajza Street in return for the support.

The new centre will create an education-focused community centre and will house a Bulgarian nursery, school, gallery and library. The Bulgarian school currently operates scattered over several different buildings. Once the new centre is completed, the community's school, church and cultural centre will stand side-by-side.

In return for state funding, the Bulgarian community has waived the right to use the property at 44 Bajza Street in the 6th District
(Photo: Google maps)

Secretary of State for Religion and Ethnic Minorities, Miklós Soltész at the press conference held in front of St. Cyril and Saint Methodius Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the 9th District on 7 January 2021 (Photo: MTI/Márton Mónus)

The plot where the cultural centre will stand in Vágóhíd Street (Photo: MTI/Márton Mónus)

Mr Soltész highlighted that the project is an outstanding example of cooperation between two nations, and showcases that both Hungary and Bulgaria care for the Bulgarian community. The many-centuries-old history of Bulgarians in Hungary has been fundamental for both peoples, and the past one hundred years have brought true progress for the Bulgarian community in Hungary.

The Secretary of State added that the government has already decided on the support to be granted to the community this year and will offer 45 million HUF towards the Bulgarian Community Centre's renovation.

As reported by Pestbuda in December 2020, the expanded and renovated cultural centre opened in Vágóhíd Street with new offices and a multifunctional hall for 70–80 guests. The centre's auditorium and stage were also renovated.

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

Miklós Soltész emphasised the importance of cooperation between ethnicities, saying that: anything that is good for the Hungarian communities living abroad or ethnic minorities in Hungary is also good for Hungary itself. Ethnic minorities have a right to live in peace, practise their culture, religion and protect their language. The Secretary of State emphasised that the Hungarian government will continue to oppose all efforts that attempt to undermine this fundamental right.

Dancso Muszev, President of the Bulgarian Ethnic Government, speaking after a mass celebrated in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Hungary, said that faith had always supported the community through difficult times. He noted that the community had grown in strife and founded its three most important institutions, the official community, the school and the Church in 1914, 1916 and 1918. These have supported the local Bulgarian community ever since. The community leader emphasised his hope that the newly refurbished and planned institutions would define the community's life for centuries to come.

St. Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian Church on Vágóhíd Street, 2015 (Photo: Ferencváros Local History Collection)

Szimeon Varga, the Bulgarian Nationality Advocate of the Hungarian National Assembly, stated that the Hungarian government deserves appreciation for its efforts in protecting ethnic minorities, which have advocates in the National Assembly, and whom the Fundamental Law recognises as constitutive members of Hungary. The parliamentary representation of these minorities is a major signal to home countries, as shown by how the relationship between Hungary and Bulgaria has been active and lively since representation was enshrined.

Source: MTI

Cover photo: Visual design of the new Bulgarian cultural centre (Source: bolgarok.hu)