The Czech Centre in Sofia has announced the cessation of its operations in the Bulgarian capital, a decision by the Czech Centres network Director General. The institution informed the public that its cultural and educational activities in Bulgaria will conclude, with planned events scheduled to continue through the end of May. The closure prompts concern, given the centre’s deep historical roots.
The facility, which serves as the oldest Czech institution of its kind abroad and one of Bulgaria’s longest-running foreign cultural organizations, is marking its 77th anniversary on May 5. Its origins date back to 1949, established following an intergovernmental cultural agreement between Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria. Following the emergence of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic in 1993, the Czech Centres were established as successors to the former Czechoslovak cultural centers.
In response to the announcement, the Academic Council of Sofia University voiced strong opposition to the planned closure. The council emphasized the centre’s profound historical and cultural significance, particularly regarding the maintenance of long-standing Czech-Bulgarian relations. The centre’s history underscores its importance to the cultural exchange between the two nations.
The announcement marks a significant shift in the cultural infrastructure of Sofia, prompting calls for reconsideration of the decision due to the enduring cultural ties the center has fostered over decades.
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The Czech Centre in Sofia has announced the cessation of its operations in the Bulgarian capital, a decision issued by the Czech Centres network Director General. The institution has informed the publ