Bulgarian Studies return to the academic map in the USA

Bulgaria's Consul General in Chicago: We want to revive interest in the Bulgarian language here

published on 5/22/25 1:32 PM

University of Illinois

Photo: FB/BulgarianConsulateChicago

Starting from the 2025/26 academic year, the Bulgarian language, history, folklore, and traditions will become part of the Bulgarian Studies program at one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the USA – the University of Illinois, the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science announced earlier this month.

Bulgarian Studies academic programs have a history across the ocean, interrupted with the beginning of democratic changes in Bulgaria In recent decades, learning Bulgarian was primarily the focus of Bulgarian Sunday schools in the USA where children of Bulgarian emigrants are educated, aiming to preserve their connection with their mother tongue and homeland.

"During the Cold War, there were over 10 universities in the USA offering Bulgarian language classes. However, immediately after the political changes in Bulgaria, interest gradually declined to the point that Bulgarian was no longer taught at any university here. A new Bulgarian language lectureship has not been established since the late 1970s and early 1980s," explained Bulgaria's Consul General in Chicago, Svetoslav Stankov, in an interview for Radio Bulgaria.

The third-largest city in the U.S., located in the state of Illinois, is home to the largest Bulgarian community abroad - nearly 100,000 compatriots have built their lives there, which is expected to help promote the new program at the prestigious local university. It is also anticipated that young people of various nationalities who are curious about Bulgaria and the Bulgarian language will show interest.

Svetoslav Stankov - Consul General of Bulgaria in Chicago

"Americans tend to become interested in languages associated with various geopolitical events. That’s why there is currently interest in Ukrainian and Russian. Although we are now a member of the EU and a strategic partner of the USA, the reality is that interest in the Bulgarian language has decreased and, at one point, disappeared. The only way to restore it was through a strong partnership between academic institutions here and the Bulgarian state, represented by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the Consul General explained.

Together with like-minded colleagues, he analyzed the reasons that led to the disappearance of Bulgarian studies from American universities and pieced together the puzzle through information from both countries and meetings with some of the former lecturers.

"For me, the most important thing was that remnants of Bulgarian Studies programs still existed at the University of Illinois – a top 10 global university for engineering. I found great friends of Bulgaria there – they had visited our country and had fond memories, as well as a great impression of the last Bulgarian language instructors. Also, the fact that the university is just two hours from Chicago and many Bulgarian-American students study there made me choose it for this initiative. I was warmly welcomed, and in less than two years, we went from a blank slate to an officially announced procedure for hiring a Bulgarian language lecturer."

The Bulgarian Consul General in Chicago expressed special thanks to Prof. John Randolph – Director of the Slavic Institute at the university. He has been a strong supporter of the initiative and assisted with contacts across various departments whose approval is required to add a new subject to the curriculum.

Prof. John Randolf - director of the Slavic Institute at the University of Illinois

"Chicago and its suburbs are home to the largest Bulgarian community in America. There are 13 Bulgarian Sunday schools here, several cultural centers, artists, writers, painters, and several folk dance ensembles. That’s why the idea is not just to teach the Bulgarian language, but Bulgarian Studies as a broader discipline that includes various elements of Bulgarian folklore and culture. This way, students of Bulgarian origin or Americans who wish to experience our culture will have a more comprehensive understanding of who we are and what our ancient civilization represents," the Consul General in the Windy City explained.

The Bulgarian studies program is expected to start in the 2025/2026 academic year and will be open to undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students.

“Bulgaria is returning to the academic map of the world’s most prestigious educational system,” Svetoslav Stankov proudly stated, appealing to Bulgarian educators to apply for the new academic position: “This is an exceptional honor for our country, and I hope many Bulgarian lecturers learn about this initiative and submit their applications to the Ministry of Education, with the deadline set for June 2.”

The call for applications for the lecturer position can be found HERE.

Photos: FB/BulgarianConsulateChicago, Facebook/Svetoslav Stankov, Facebook/illinois.edu, illinois.edu

English publication: Rositsa Petkova

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