The Academic Council of Sofia University has unanimously backed an open letter advocating for the continuation of the Czech Centre in Sofia, following the announcement that the institution will cease its operations in the Bulgarian capital. The Czech Centres network informed the public that, by directive from its Director General, the Czech Centre in Sofia will close, bringing its cultural and educational activities in Bulgaria to an end. According to the notice, scheduled events will proceed through the end of May.
The Czech Centre in Sofia holds historical importance, marking its 77th anniversary on May 5. The centre was originally established on that date, in 1949, through an intergovernmental cultural agreement between Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria. Following the establishment of independent Czech and Slovak states in 1993, the Czech Republic subsequently established the Czech Centres as successors to the former Czechoslovak cultural hubs abroad.
Against this backdrop, the Academic Council of Sofia University expressed significant concern regarding the planned closure. The council urged for a reconsideration of the decision, emphasizing the centre’s deep historical and cultural value. They highlighted the centre’s sustained role in maintaining long-standing cultural ties between Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.
The support for the letter underscores the community’s desire to preserve the cultural exchange provided by the Sofia centre.
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