The Bulgarian Sunday school in Edirne opened as an educational establishment in 2017 when it launched Bulgarian language classes for children from the Bulgarian community in the city. Two years later, at the initiative of Bulgaria’s Consulate General, it grew to become a Sunday school, with 62 students during the current school year – 2023-2024. For the children from other towns there is a separate class with remote studies in a virtual classroom. The premises where the children study were provided for use gratuitously by Bulgarian expatriate Sezan Ermak who owns the building. 

Of course, the Bulgaria has allocated funding for the school’s needs, as well as for the folklore dance ensembles and the chitalishte (community culture club) in the city. One of the founders of the educational hub in Edirne is Father Alexander Cikirik who served at the Bulgarian Church of St. George the Victorious in Edirne for many years.

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After Cikirik’s unexpected demise in 2023, the Bulgarian school was named after him in recognition of his role in the community. The various extracurricular activities, among them folk dances, fine and applied art classes have been attracting children who are Bulgarian, but also Turkish children.

The curriculum is with a focus on Bulgarian language and literature, as well as Bulgarian history and culture. All textbooks and teaching aids have been provided by Bulgaria via its Consulate General in Edirne, and are free of charge. “Everything is provided by the Bulgarian side,” says Mrs. Bahtisen Mutlu in an interview with Radio Bulgaria and BNR-Kardzhali.

“The Bulgarian language is very much in vogue in Edirne, and I can say that with 100% certainty. There are Turkish children who live locally, who want to study Bulgarian, and are now in 1^st grade. We have a preparatory group. There are many applicants but, unfortunately, we do not have the space to admit them all.”

This problem has been discussed with the Consulate General of Bulgaria. Consul General Borislav Dimitrov says the option of renting more premises for the next academic year is being considered:

“Their number has been going up through the tears. Most of the children come from families of expatriates, or from mixed marriage families, there are some from Turkish families who want to learn the Bulgarian language. The headmistress teaches a course for older people who want to learn Bulgarian.”

But the growing number of students need teachers:

“It is difficult to find teachers here,” says Mrs. Bahtisen Mutlu. “You have to speak both Turkish and Bulgarian, the requirements of the Ministry of Education are very stringent. The teachers have to have graduated primary school pedagogy or pedagogy in Bulgaria, they must speak Turkish because the children are Turkish-speaking and during the week they attend Turkish schools. They only come here to study Bulgarian on Saturday, that is why the teacher must speak Turkish if we want to keep them.”

Bahtisen Mutlu herself was born in Bulgaria in 1989, and together with other Bulgarians emigrated to Turkey. However, her love of the Bulgarian language has remained and this is what took her to the Sunday school in Edirne. She teaches children from the preparatory group and organizes the teaching activities.

Every year the Sunday school organizes celebrations on different occasions - 3 March, 24 May, Easter.

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova

Photos:BTA, Bulgarian Sunday school Alexander Cikirik in Edirne