site.btaBulgarian Studies Program to Be Launched at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A Bulgarian Studies program will be launched at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on October 20, 2025, the Consul General of Bulgaria in Chicago, Svetoslav Stankov, said on social media. The initiative, supported by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, marks a milestone in the development of Bulgarian Studies in the United States.

As part of the pilot program, students will be able to enroll in Bulgarian for Heritage Learners (LCTL 201) and Introduction to the Bulgarian Language (LCTL 101). In the spring semester of 2026, a course in Bulgarian history and culture will also be offered.

Bulgarian students have been part of the Illinois academic community since 1911. After a long pause, the ambition to offer Bulgarian language and cultural studies on campus is being realized.

The first instructor under the program is Dr Iliyana Dimitrova, Assistant Professor at Veliko Tarnovo University, who will introduce students to Bulgarian language, history and culture.

“This program is also a partnership with the Bulgarian government, which has been eager to support Bulgarian Studies in the U.S. The hope is that students will find a way to sustain their connection to the Bulgarian language and culture, while new students will discover it for the first time,” said Professor John Randolph, Acting Executive Director of the Illinois Global Institute. He added that an exchange program has also been prepared, allowing students to visit Bulgaria in the summer.

Enrolment for the courses is open until October 24, 2025.

Stankov encouraged Bulgarian students at the university to take part and invite their friends to join them in exploring Bulgaria’s language, history and culture.