site.btaBulgarian Ambassador to Moldova Visits Educational Institutions in Gagauzia

Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Moldova, Maya Dobreva, visited schools and a university in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia on the initiative of the Moldovan Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry said. Dobreva was accompanied by Martin Vladimirov, Second Secretary at the Bulgarian Embassy, and Ivan Duminica, head of the interethnic relations department at Moldova’s Education and Research Ministry.

During her visit, the Ambassador addressed pupils and students in Gagauzia, discussing Bulgaria's European path and the benefits of European integration and highlighting the importance of education in achieving this goal. The discussions also explored opportunities to teach and learn Bulgarian and focused on the promotion of European values among young people, the Ministry said.

Dobreva visited Bulgarian language and literature classes at the Nikolai Tretyakov lyceum in Comrat and the Mihail Tuzlov lyceum in Chirsova, where she spoke about Bulgarian history and culture and the European values promoted in Bulgaria. The Ambassador also presented pupils with Bulgarian dictionaries and works of fiction.

The death anniversary of Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher was commemorated during a Bulgarian lesson at the lyceum in Comrat. There was a presentation on the customs of the Bulgarian ethnic minority in Moldova observed on the holiday Trifon Zarezan (in honour of Saint Tryphon, patron of wine makers) and a brief discussion about study options at Bulgarian higher education institutions.

Pupils in Chirsova presented an extensive cultural programme honouring national hero Vasil Levski. Addressing pupils and teachers at the lyceum, Dobreva highlighted the deep connection between the Gagauz people and their ancestral homeland, Bulgaria, as well as the efforts made by the Bulgarian State to preserve Bulgarian culture and traditions in Gagauzia, the Embassy said.

Dobreva also conferred with Comrat Mayor Sergei Anastasov.

At Comrat State University, the Ambassador met with students and gave a lecture on Bulgaria's experience in European integration and its benefits, stressing the role of education in promoting democratic principles and international cooperation. The possibility of launching bilateral projects through educational exchange programmes and study visits was discussed with the university's leadership, the Moldovan Ministry said.

According to data from Moldova’s National Bureau of Statistics as of 2014, Moldova is home to about 54,000 ethnic Bulgarians, making up 1.9% of the country's population (2,804,801 people). They are primarily located in the Taraclia District. The Bulgarian community also resides in the Autonomous Territorial Entity of Gagauzia, as well as the regions of Cahul, Cantemir and Leova.