The long-standing friendship between Bulgaria and Hungary, mutual respect and trust, as well as our spiritual connection are the solid foundation for the upward development of relations between the two countries. In the veins of both nations flows the blood of our ancestors with their striving for freedom, justice, independence and perfection. This was stated by President Rumen Radev today in Budapest, where together with his Hungarian colleague Tamas Sulyok opened the newly built building of the Bulgarian educational and cultural centre, built with the cooperation of the two countries. The Bulgarian President is on an official visit to Hungary at the invitation of President Sulyok.
Rumen Radev singled out the energy, persistence and dedication of the Bulgarian community to realize the construction of the building, which will house educational and cultural institutions and civic organizations of the Bulgarian community. Opposite the new building is the Bulgarian Cultural House, and next to it - the Bulgarian Orthodox Church "St. St. Cyril and Methodius". This is how the pillars of the Bulgarian community in Hungary come together in one place, which has been their dream for a long time. Rumen Radev expressed gratitude to the Hungarian side for the consistent support to the Bulgarians in Hungary to preserve their national identity, traditions, language and culture. The Bulgarian minority in Hungary was recognized in 1993 as one of the 13 national minorities and has its own representative in the country's National Assembly. It has about 6,300 people according to the 2022 census.
In his speech, the Hungarian President pointed out that all those who work hard to preserve the Bulgarian identity and the Bulgarian community in Hungary deserve recognition for their work. He pointed out that Bulgarians and Hungarians are connected not only by a common history, but also by age-old friendship, common values and mutual respect for the culture and traditions of the two peoples. According to him, today's ceremony is an expression of this.
After the opening of the Bulgarian Educational and Cultural Centre Rumen Radev and Tamas Sulyok inspected the new building, and before the start of the ceremony they also visited the Bulgarian Orthodox Church "St. St. Cyril and Methodius". The head of state also spoke with representatives of the Bulgarian community who attended the solemn event.