site.btaSofia Exhibition Highlighting Literary Heritage in Bulgarian Exarchate Library in Istanbul Opens

An exhibition titled The Literary Heritage in the Library of the Bulgarian Exarchate in Istanbul opened in the central lobby of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia on Friday.

Sylvia Naydenova, Director of the Central Library of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, said that the library collection had been completely catalogued for the first time. "We believe that we are contributing both to strengthening the relationship between Bulgaria and the Bulgarian community in Turkey and to preserving the cultural, educational and historical heritage of the Bulgarian Exarchate and the community of Bulgarians in Istanbul," she said.

In Nedelcheva's words, the collection of books is diverse in terms of content. The largest portion is religious books, the number of textbooks is also large. The collection is rich in fiction - original Bulgarian and translated editions. The most valuable editions in the collection are shown on the 15 posters. She noted that the oldest book was from 1858.

"I know the past of these books very well," said Hristo Kopano, a member of the board of trustees of the Bulgarian Exarchate Foundation in Istanbul. These editions were thrown away in various places, they were not preserved. They were dusty and damp. Part of this heritage disappeared, he added.

In a congratulatory address Culture Minister Nayden Todorov said that the role of the Bulgarian Exarchate was not limited to the ecclesiastical sphere. "It also had a significant impact on the educational and cultural activities among the Bulgarians under Ottoman rule, and the library of the Exarchate in Istanbul has preserved invaluable literary historical documents that are part of our cultural heritage, our memory of those difficult times," the Minister said in his address. In his words, the exhibition represents a unique opportunity for the general public to get acquainted with the wealth of Bulgarian literature preserved and maintained abroad.

The exhibition marks 155 years since the establishment of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.