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Iliana Iotova Awards the Vice President's Plaque to the Bulgarian Secondary School in Bratislava

The Vice President attends the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the school

In recognition of her long-standing role in promoting the Bulgarian spirit, language and culture in Slovakia and maintaining good bilateral relations, Iliana Iotova awarded the Vice President's plaque to the Hristo Botev Bulgarian Secondary School in Bratislava. The Vice President was a guest at the 75th anniversary celebration of the school, which was also attended by students and dance troupes from Bulgaria.

Today is a celebration and an occasion for great pride - a Bulgarian school in the centre of Europe, which attracts more and more children, turns 75 years old, Iliana Iotova said in her address. She recalled the memories she keeps from the opening in 2018 of the 70th anniversary school year at the school. I also remember the words of the then Minister of Education of Slovakia that the Bulgarian school was one of the best in the Slovak capital, the Vice President said.

Dear teachers, in your hands are tomorrow's worthy citizens of Slovakia, of Bulgaria, of our European family. You are continuing the educational work of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius. Their mission started from these lands, but was saved in Bulgaria by great statesmen who knew that for a nation to have a future, it needed writing, literacy, spirituality and culture. Prince Boris welcomed the persecuted disciples of Cyril and Methodius, who created the Cyrillic alphabet, which today is used by over 500 million people around the world. Bulgaria, the great spiritual empire, created a whole civilisation - the Slavic one, Iotova emphasised. The work of SS Cyril and Methodius is the image of Slavic unity. Through you it lives on today, the Vice President said. She pointed out that besides opening the big book of knowledge, teachers educate children in virtues, make them good people, show them the boundary between good and evil. In today's troubled world where darker passions are brewing, your role is even greater. We must protect our children from hatred and conflict and bring them back to human values. No matter how much it develops, artificial intelligence will never displace you, Iliana Iotova stressed.

The Vice President thanked the parents for their support. Teachers should be supported by us, the parents, in their role as educators" she said.

To the students, the Vice President said: You have limitless possibilities. Whether you continue your education here or in Bulgaria or in another country, never forget your Bulgarian school, which bears the name of one of the most fascinating figures in Bulgarian history. Botev's creed of equality, justice, freedom will never die as long as we continue to educate proud, indomitable, free and independent people.