Welcome to Bulgaria Today, the English-language podcast of Radio Bulgaria, on May 24. 

Today we celebrate the Day of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, which is the day of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture, and of Slavonic literature.

First on the programme, we take you to a little-known rock hewn monastery in Bulgaria which happens to be the home to the oldest Cyrillic inscription in the world.

Next, we talk to a Bulgarian artist who has already presented the beauty of Bulgaria in nearly 50 countries on 6 continents, including distant Antarctica and who has become a true ambassador of Bulgaria around the globe.

Also, we will listen to Bulgarian music – a song without which no celebration of May 24 can go in Bulgaria and also a Bulgarian folklore classic with a twist.

Welcome to the show!

• 02’33 - Hymn to Cyril and Methodius “March ahead, oh, revived people”

• 06’46 - The oldest Cyrillic inscription in the world dates back to 921 and was discovered in a rock monastery near Bulgaria’s Krepcha

• 13’43 - Petya Ilieva, an ambassador of Bulgarian culture around the world

• 18’49 - Song of the day: The folk song “Dilmano, Dilbero” with Georgi Strezov and Vanya Moneva Chor