site.btaVP Iotova: Saints Cyril and Methodius Are Central to Bulgaria-Poland Shared History

During a discussion with students from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, Vice President Iliana Iotova said that the enlightenment work of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius is the indestructible core of the common history between Bulgaria and Poland, an expression of unparalleled dignity, as goes the apostolic message of Pope John Paul II, who declared them co-patron saints of Europe 45 years ago. The Vice President stressed the power of history, culture and education to build the most sustainable paths between countries and peoples, the presidential press secretariat reported on Thursday.

Iotova stated: "My country Bulgaria was born out of culture, education and spirituality. The Bulgarian rulers were wise people who realized that knowledge, literature, and the word are stronger than spears and swords, and they turned Bulgaria into a spiritual empire."

The Vice President spoke about Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda's initiative to declare February 14 as the Day of Bulgarian-Polish Friendship and Cooperation.

The Cyrillic script, established in Bulgaria, is the basis of the literacy of many Slavic countries established later. The Cyrillic alphabet became an emblem of Slavic identity, Iotova said.

The Vice President described reviving interest in Bulgarian and Slavic studies, along with reaffirming Bulgaria’s traditional role as a centre for these fields, as her mission. Iotova is confident that Bulgarian and Slavic studies have a place in the 21st century, since they are "not only knowledge about language, culture and history – they are knowledge about value systems".

In the discussion that followed, students showed interest in the Vice President's positions on topics that included the possibilities of expanding bilateral cooperation, the contribution of Bulgaria and Poland to the development of modern Europe, geopolitical challenges.