The Academic Council of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski has unanimously endorsed an open letter urging the continuation of the Czech Centre in Sofia following the announcement of its closure. The institution stated that the Czech Centre in Sofia will cease its cultural and educational activities in the Bulgarian capital, according to a notice issued earlier on Monday from the Czech Centres network.
Planned activities are scheduled to continue through the end of May. The Czech Centre in Sofia holds historical significance, marking its 77th anniversary on May 5. Its origins trace back to an art and craft shop called 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 established as successors to the former Czechoslovak cultural centres. In light of this, the Academic Council of Sofia University expressed considerable concern regarding the planned closure. The council emphasized the centre’s enduring historical and cultural importance and its crucial role in sustaining the long-standing cultural ties between Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.
The support for the open letter signals a formal appeal to reconsider the decision to close the Czech Centre in Sofia.
Topics: #czech #sofia #centre
