Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian cultural centre in Bitola rebuilt after fire 

The renovated Bulgarian Cultural Centre "Ivan Mihailov" in Bitola, North Macedonia.
Photo: Bulgarian Memory Foundation

The Bulgarian Cultural Centre "Ivan Mihailov" in Bitola, North Macedonia, has been rebuilt after it was damaged by fire in early June. The costs were covered by the Bulgarian Memory Foundation

Macedonian singer Lambe Alabakovski set fire to the front door of the centre with Molotov cocktails. He justified the attack by saying that he did not like the name of the centre, named after the last leader of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation (a secret revolutionary society for the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries - ed.) The damage is estimated at EUR 10 000. 
The Bulgarian Memory Foundation is the main sponsor of the cultural centre, covering monthly expenses, teaching materials and the running of the centre's Bulgarian Sunday school.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Weather forecast for May 19: Sun in the morning, clouds and showers in the afternoon

On Monday, the lowest temperatures will range between 5°C and 10°C, around 5°C in Sofia. It will be mostly sunny in the morning, but around and after noon, cumulonimbus clouds will begin to form. Short showers are expected mainly in the mountain..

published on 5/18/25 6:35 PM
Bulgaria's Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov

Bulgaria supplies electricity to North Macedonia and Serbia after power outages in the Balkans

We are helping North Macedonia and Serbia because of the breakdowns in their energy systems, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov announced at an emergency briefing following widespread power outages in the Balkans. “In the early hours..

published on 5/18/25 5:45 PM
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his inauguration

Premier Zhelyazkov congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his inauguration

Bulgaria’s Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov congratulated Pope Leo XIV after his inauguration as the leader of the Catholic Church. Rosen Zhelyazkov wished Pope Leo XIV health, longevity and wisdom. The two had a brief conversation after the official..

published on 5/18/25 5:04 PM