Bulgaria celebrates 24 May without mass festivities

Events celebrating the Day of the Slavonic Alphabet, Bulgarian Education and Culture were organized throughout Bulgaria, as well as by Bulgarians around the world. The traditional mass gatherings were cancelled because of the anti-epidemic measures but a great many children and adults laid flowers at the monument to the saints Cyril and Methodius in front of the National Library building in Sofia. The traditional presidential visit to the Vatican on 24 May was cancelled over the Covid-19 pandemic but Bulgarian diplomats in Rome laid flowers on the grave of Saint Constantine – Cyril the Philosopher in the Basilica of San Clemente. School children from the Bulgarian weekend schools in USA, Great Britain, Brazil, South Africa, Cyprus and many other countries marked 24 May with virtual concerts.

Vice-President Iliana Yotova: With the power of Bulgarian education and culture we shall overcome the current crisis

“With the power of Bulgarian education and culture we shall overcome the current crisis. We, as institutions are in the debt of Bulgarian culture. As citizens we need to help it survive in the coming months,” said Vice-President Iliana Yotova. She thanked teachers, pupils and parents who were able, together, to cope with the tasks of education in the conditions of pandemic.

Covid-19 in Bulgaria: Newly registered coronavirus cases up by 0.8% over past 24 hours

According to data of the National Crisis Headquarters a total of 2,427 coronavirus cases have been registered in Bulgaria by 24 May, 2020. The Covid-19 death toll is now 130. The number of recoveries is 840.

Europe is asking itself why Covid-19 death toll is lower in Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and Greece

In an article entitled: “Coronavirus in Europe: Why Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and Greece have fewer deaths” the Corriere della Sera newspaper writes that weaker countries have a lower Covid-19 death toll because they introduced stricter measures earlier. The paper emphasizes that according to data, some countries knew how vulnerable their health protection systems are and that is the reason why they did not underestimate the situation, as Spain and Italy did, and decided to apply strict rules early on.

Only 1-2% of all pupils not included in education process during pandemic

“Around 1-2% of all school children were not included in the process of education during the state of emergency. The big challenge during this period was with those who simply do not want to get an education,” said Minister of Education Krasimir Valchev for the BNR. He pointed out that the Ministry of Education is ready to launch electronic learning in the autumn depending on the situation. “Innovation culture is expanding. New curricula were introduced for all grades. For the first time we have adapted curricula for the schools abroad,” Minister Valchev said.

Ramadan Bayram prayers under the open sky

For the first time the Muslim community in Bulgaria is celebrating Ramadan Bayram outside mosques due to the anti-epidemic measures. The Bayram prayer service in Sofia was conducted by Grand Mufti Mustafa Hadzhi. Around 500 people got together for prayer early this morning  in the sports field in Kurdzhali, southern Bulgaria, wearing face masks, observing the required distance, and each bringing their own prayer rug. After prayers the local mayor, the Mufti and a Christian Orthodox priest sat down for coffee together as is the tradition.

Dance and music clubs organize protest in front of Council of Ministers

Around 300 people from dance and music clubs from all over the country organized a protest in front of the Council of Ministers building. They are demanding the reopening of dance halls and stress that their protest is not political. As a sign of protest the protestors danced the ruchenitsa. 
“It makes no sense to open enterprises, gyms and kindergartens and not dance halls,” they say. 
They also urged that the 60/40 measure remain in place and demanded guarantees of compensation for their work in the event of such crises arising in future.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

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