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

Bulgarian scientists: Bulgarians from the Western Outlands are not a "Shopi nation"

Prof. Ana Kocheva (in the middle) at the press conference at BTA
Photo: BTA

Scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) presented facts refuting speculations in Serbia that challenge the national identity of Bulgarians in the Western Outlands. In mid-January, our compatriots there sent a letter to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, a number of institutions in Belgrade, and the embassies of EU member states, condemning the increasing attempts to promote the so-called "Shopi nation" and "Shopi language" in areas with a traditionally Bulgarian population in eastern Serbia. In Bulgaria, these lands, cut off from the country by the Treaty of Neuilly, are referred to as the Western Outlands.

After the scholars presented convincing linguistic facts debunking the speculations, Professor Anna Kocheva from the Institute for Bulgarian Language at BAS explained that the Serbian campaign against Bulgarians in the Western Outlands is not linguistic. "It may be related to the fact that Serbia is currently overwhelmed by protests and is looking for an external enemy'', said Professor Kocheva.




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

After Burgas, Varna Airport also welcomes its one millionth passenger for 2025

The one-millionth passenger for this year was solemnly welcomed at Varna Airport. Gerhard Peschke arrived by flight from Frankfurt with his wife, two children and two grandchildren. The family will stay in Obzor, he said. Their..

published on 8/5/25 11:29 AM

Mitrofanova admits Lukoil is considering selling its assets in Bulgaria

Lukoil's subsidiaries in Bulgaria are under unprecedented pressure and the company is considering selling assets in the country, Russian Ambassador to Sofia Eleonora Mitrofanova said in an interview with state-run RIA Novosti...

published on 8/5/25 10:34 AM
Center for assisting Ukrainian refugees in Varna

According to UN report, Bulgaria is a main entry point for asylum seekers into the EU

Bulgaria, as an external border country of the EU, has begun to play a key role in accepting refugees from Ukraine, a UN report reads, BTA reports. So far, the country has accepted over 2.3 million refugees from Ukraine, but most..

published on 8/5/25 9:15 AM