On the International Day of La Francophonie, March 20, Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova underscored the longstanding tradition of the French language in Bulgaria and the high standards of French-language teaching in the country. She made these remarks during a visit to the Simeon Radev Foreign Language School in Pernik, the President’s press secretariat reported.
Bulgaria joined the International Organization of La Francophonie in 1993.
At the school in Pernik, Iotova said in a statement: “I have turned the French language into a part of my life’s journey. One of the causes to which I am devoted is encouraging encounters between Bulgarian culture and the world of the Francophonie.”
She said the French-language tradition in Bulgaria dates back to the National Revival Period (18th-19th centuries), when French became a bridge between the Bulgarian intellectual elite and the values of enlightenment and humanism widespread in free European countries. The President highlighted the significant contribution of the school’s patron, Simeon Radev, in defending Bulgaria’s national interests, noting how the distinguished diplomat and publicist advocated for the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians before the international community in impeccable French.
Iotova stressed that Bulgaria’s model of French-language education is among the best. “I will never forget the sense of pride I felt at the 19th Francophonie Summit in 2024, which brought together representatives from nearly 80 countries, when Bulgaria was held up as an example within the Francophone family,” she said.
The President also shared her memories of visiting the language school in Pernik 17 years ago, when she was a Member of the European Parliament. She thanked the teachers for their ambition and professionalism in fostering among young people a sense of belonging to the Francophone community. “You inspire these young people to love knowledge and to believe that only through education can one prosper. You ensure that the richness of French culture, through its language, is brought into the Bulgarian classroom, and that your students will go on to be among the very best in the world in their command of French,” the President added.
A film created by the school’s students to mark the International Day of La Francophonie was presented during the celebrations. On a mural tree painted with words in European languages at the school, Iotova chose to have the French word for “freedom” inscribed.
/VL/