The Czech Centre in Sofia has announced the cessation of its operations in the Bulgarian capital, according to the Czech Centres network Director General. The announcement stated that the institution would bring its cultural and educational activities in Bulgaria to an end, with planned events scheduled to continue through the end of May. The closure has prompted a strong reaction from local academic bodies.
The Academic Council of the Sofia University unanimously supported an open letter urging the reconsideration of the decision, citing the Centre’s deep historical and cultural significance to Czech-Bulgarian relations. The Czech Centre in Sofia holds a notable place in cultural history, serving as the oldest Czech institution of its kind abroad and one of the longest-running foreign cultural organizations in Bulgaria. The Centre marked its 77th anniversary on May 5th.
Its origins trace back to May 5, 1949, when an art and craft shop, Ceskoslovenska tvorba Orbis, was established in Sofia following an intergovernmental cultural agreement between Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria (1947). Following the establishment of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic as independent states in 1993, the Czech Centres were formed to succeed the former Czechoslovak cultural centers abroad. Given this extensive history, the Academic Council expressed significant concern regarding the planned discontinuation of the Centre, emphasizing its enduring role in maintaining cultural exchange between the two nations.
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