site.btaVice President Iotova Opens Fish Primer Bicentennial Observances in Barcelona

Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova on Friday opened a roundtable and exhibition marking the 200th anniversary of Petar Beron's Fish Primer, the President's Press Secretariat said in a press release.

The commemorative events are hosted by the seat of the Reial Cercle Artistic de Barcelona at the Teatro de los Atlantes and are organized by Sofia's University of Library Studies and Information Technologies with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Sts Cyril and Methodius National Library, Bulgaria's Consulate General in Barcelona, and the St George Association of Bulgarians in Barcelona.

Published in Kronstadt (now Brasov, Romania) in 1824, Dr Peter Beron's Fish Primer (its full title is Primer with Various Instructions) is the first textbook (and first book) to be printed in modern Bulgarian and also Bulgaria's earliest secular print publication. With its encyclopaedic coverage of various fields of science, the Fish Primer was a cultural milestone of the National Revival.

Addressing the opening of the observances, Iotova described the Fish Primer as "one of the events that preserved us down the centuries and thanks to which our people and nation exists."

She emphasized that the publication of the first Bulgarian secular primer pioneered contemporary Bulgarian education, introduced a new teaching method, and threw a bridge between religious texts and secular knowledge. "The Fish Primer is one of the most significant books of the Bulgarian National Revival, the period that awakened our people to its national identity and prepared the resurrection of their state," Iotova said.

She described Beron as "a Bulgarian awakener who takes credit for the Europewide spread of Bulgaria's cultural influence." She praised him as an inspiring example of true patriotism, dedication, and a willingness to improve himself and others.

For his part, Reial Cercle Artistic de Barcelona President Josep Felix Bentz thanked those present for sharing the centuries-old rich Bulgarian culture. He highlighted the vigorous cultural contacts between Spain and Bulgaria.

Bentz invited Iotova to write a message in the 100-year-old Book of Honour of the Reial Cercle Artistic, which has been signed by a number of Spanish monarchs and famous artists. "I am honoured to be able to discuss the ancient Bulgarian culture and intellectual scene and their impact in Europe and worldwide in Barcelona on one of the most important dates in Bulgarian history," the Bulgarian Vice President wrote.

She greeted those present on September 6 - the Day of the Unification of Eastern Rumelia with the Principality of Bulgaria, describing this memorable event as a source of power and inspiration, a lesson of dignity, strength and wisdom, a strong example in Bulgarian history of unity of thoughts, feelings and deed. "This date is alive in the heart of each Bulgarian at home and abroad," Iotova said.