site.btaPublic Media among Most Significant Custodians of History, BNR Director Mitev Says

Commenting on the joint initiative "14 Centuries of Bulgaria in Europe" in a Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) interview, BNR Director General Milen Mitev said Monday that public are among the most significant custodians of history. In his words, public media are the ones to start the conversation about Bulgarian history and culture, and introduce audiences to important anniversaries. "14 Centuries of Bulgaria in Europe" is a joint initiative of the Bulgarian National Television, the Bulgarian National Radio and the Bulgarian News Agency launched on May 20 to mark the 1350th anniversary of the establishment of the First Bulgarian State in 2031.

The initiative marks anniversaries from Bulgarian history, which are to be celebrated until 2032 and are of significance for European history.

Mitev added that Bulgaria not only has its geographical and territorial place in Europe but is also present through its spirit and culture.

"It is a fact that the information flow is very intense. People are flooded with all kinds of information and more often pay attention to what is going on today, rather than remembering what it was like yesterday. And this also has its importance," Mitev said, adding that there are many events worth mentioning, worth talking about.

BNR Director General gave examples, underscoring three anniversaries in 2024 – the 200th anniversary of the publication of Dr. Petar Beron's Fish Primer, the 155th anniversary of the establishment of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), and the 1160th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity to Bulgaria in 864.

"We do not want to be alone in this. We will look for partnership and reach out to other media, as well as to state institutions, educational and scientific institutions," Mitev said, adding that BAS has already expressed readiness to provide more information about the upcoming anniversaries.