site.btaBulgarian Consulate General in Chicago Launches Project to Tell Story of Bulgarian Diaspora in US

The Bulgarian Consulate General in Chicago is launching an educational project that will tell the story of the history and achievements of Bulgarian emigration in North America. "Its goal is to acquaint the Bulgarian diaspora today with the difficulties, challenges and successes of Bulgarians who came to America more than 100 years ago," the consulate wrote in a social media post. 

The objective of the project is to generate awareness of Bulgarians' significant contributions to the overall development of American society. 

"We hope you will see yourselves in some of the stories and be inspired by the importance of you and your children standing up for your identity and Bulgarian roots," the post reads.

The Consulate calls on its followers to send stories it can then share.  

The project's first publication is about the early Bulgarian communities in North America who, despite the hardships, still found a way to unite, support and preserve their love for their homeland, even in years of crisis and global turbulence.

Their Evangelist missions, which functioned as true centers of support and integration for the newly arrived Bulgarian communities, were among the earliest successful examples of mutual aid among Bulgarian compatriots overseas.

The pioneers: Tsvyatko Bagryanov

The first Bulgarian immigrant religious association was registered in 1907 by Tsvyatko Bagryanov. A native of Panagyurishte, he was a graduate of the Samokov American School, after which he graduated in 1897 from a theological seminary in New York. Initially serving in a Pennsylvania church, on December 1, 1917, he registered with the Presbyterian Synod of Illinois our first immigrant religious association, the Bulgarian Protestant Mission in America. As one of the few individuals fluent in English in his day, Bagryanov lent a hand to hundreds of Bulgarians in need of their already-integrated compatriot, who already enjoyed established authority and credibility with local authorities. He had to organize an initial shelter, represent them before the relevant authorities, defend their interests, direct them to suitable work - without expecting anything in return..

The period around 1907 proved particularly difficult for both Americans and Bulgarians. The raging crisis left thousands without food and shelter, and it was Bagryanov who saved the lives of hundreds of Bulgarians.

English and Bulgarian language learning schools gradually opened up alongside the shelters for new arrivals on Bagryanov, organising a host of entertainments and parties to help people get to know each other and adjust after the shock of change. In 10 years, 1,265 students passed through the school that Bagryanov opened in Madison City. In just one year, jobs were found for 1,500 people. 

Bagryanov's services were appreciated by both settlers and local American authorities. He was awarded a medal "for valuable and distinguished service," and later was the figure who led the nonpartisan movement to unify the emigration, the Consulate writes.