On World Autism Awareness Day, Bulgarian Government Vows to Raise Awareness and Work Hard to Support Autistic Children and Their Families

Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov unveils a photo exhibition on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, Sofia, April 1, 2025 (BTA Photo/Blagoy Kirilov)

Sofia,

01.04.2025 13:31

(BTA)

Ahead of World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, the Bulgarian Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov said that his Ministry is committed to raising awareness and supporting autistic children and their families. He was speaking at the opening of a photo exhibition by Sevdalin Tlachenski, and his mentor-photographer Alexander Nikolov, and was quoted by his Ministry's press office.

Tlachenski is a student in the Cinema and Television Cinematography programme of New Bulgarian University, and is on the autism spectrum.

The Minister said that autism should be in the focus of attention of society at all times and not just on April 2. "We will do our best to provide better support for the children and their families all year. The Ministry team will work hard to raise awareness on the matter and create better opportunities for early autism screening and work with people on the spectrum," said the Minister.

He pointed out that over 60 million people in the world are on the spectrum. "These people are part of our community and have their unique perception of the world. They are talented and this exhibition illustrates it in the best way possible," he added.

The exhibition was organized by Persons with Development Problems Assistance, a non-profit, with support from Gutsanov's Ministry.

Visitors at the exhibition also had an opportunity view and purchase pottery made by a workshop working with people from vulnerable groups. It was established with support from the Labour Ministry under the EU-backed Operational Programme Human Resources Development.

/IV/