Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of the first Bulgarian diplomat Nayden Gerov

Nayden Gerov (1823 - 1900)
Photo: Archive

Today, 23 February, is the bicentenary of the birth of the great Renaissance scholar, educator, writer and public figure Nayden Gerov. He was one of the most ardent defenders of the Bulgarian identity and the first Bulgarian diplomat, serving for 20 years as Russian Vice-Consul in Plovdiv from 1857 to 1877. 

During the Crimean War (1853-1856) he supported the national liberation movement and made a significant contribution to the development of Bulgarian education. As vice-consul in Plovdiv from 1857 he was actively involved in the social affairs, and during the April Uprising in 1876 as an official in the Russian embassy in Constantinople he supported the Bulgarians' struggle for national freedom. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 he was posted to the headquarters of the Russian army, after which he was appointed governor of the first liberated town of Svishtov. 

After Bulgaria gained its independence, Nayden Gerov retired from politics and settled in Plovdiv to devote himself to enlightenment of the Bulgarian people. He was the first Bulgarian to create a multi-volume dictionary of the Bulgarian language with 70,620 words, 10,000 proverbs, 5,976 excerpts from folk songs, 4,300 idioms and expressions. 

The national awakener died on October 9, 1900, leaving a rich correspondence that reveals important moments of political and cultural life and education during the Renaissance.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

100 years since the most brutal terrorist act in Bulgarian history

The attack in the "St. Nedelya" cathedral on April 16, 1925 is the deadliest terrorist act in the history of Bulgaria. It took place on Maundy Thursday and in terms of its brutality and premeditation, it has no analogue. During Holy..

published on 4/16/25 9:45 AM

Holy Wednesday makes us recall the meaning of Christian humility and repentance

On the day of Holy Wednesday, one of the last events before the saving sufferings for humanity of the Son of God is remembered. In her sincere repentance, a sinner managed to enter the house where Christ was staying and, wishing to testify to her..

published on 4/16/25 5:10 AM

Holy Tuesday recalls the meaning of Christian virtues

Holy Tuesday is a day for teachings and final moral instructions. On this day the priests and the Jews listen for the last time to the teaching words of the Son of God in the temple. There, Jesus Christ gives an example of how to give charity –..

published on 4/15/25 6:05 AM