The Academic Council of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski has unanimously backed an open letter urging the continuation of the Czech Centre in Sofia, following the announcement that the institution will cease operations in the Bulgarian capital. The Czech Centre issued a statement on Monday confirming that, by decision of the Czech Centres network Director General, the Sofia branch will close, concluding its cultural and educational activities in Bulgaria.
Planned events are scheduled to continue until the end of May. The Czech Centre in Sofia holds significance as the oldest Czech institution of its kind abroad and one of Bulgaria’s longest-running foreign cultural organizations. The center is commemorating its 77th anniversary on May 5.
Historically, the facility traces its roots to an art and craft shop named Ceskoslovenska tvorba Orbis, which opened on May 5, 1949, under a cultural agreement between Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria. Following the establishment of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic in 1993, the Czech Centres were formed as successors to the previous Czechoslovak cultural centers abroad. Against this backdrop, the Academic Council of Sofia University voiced considerable concern regarding the planned closure.
The Council stressed the profound historical and cultural importance of the centre and its vital role in sustaining enduring Czech-Bulgarian cultural relations, urging a reconsideration of the decision to close the Sofia centre.
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It is disappointing to hear about the potential closure of the Czech Centre in Sofia.