Yes, there is such a village school in Bulgaria! The different school of Tsarev Brod

May 24 is a triple celebration for teachers and students

published on 5/24/24 7:40 AM

Photo: St. Cyril and Methodius School, the village of Tsarev ford

"We don't want it to be drab, we want it to be fab" - this is the message of the Sts Cyril and Methodius Secondary School in the village of Tsarev Brod. "The Different School" is another motto of the school, which educates 118 students up to grade 7, coming from a total of 10 settlements in the region of the town of Shumen (northeastern Bulgaria). And that the school is 'fab' and 'different' becomes clear as soon as you cross its threshold. So much so that it has become a tourist attraction and people come from near and far to see it as a kind of... miracle. Visitors describe it in the book of impressions as a "children's palace", a "picture gallery" or even a "paragon of a school".

More than 120 panels, drawings and paintings adorn the walls of the school, along with portraits of historical figures and quotes calling for tolerance and a love of knowledge. Each room is decorated according to a theme and has a multimedia system, while the toilets are equipped with photocells. Every Monday, the anthem of the Republic of Bulgaria is played at the beginning of the first lesson, and on Tuesdays the anthem of the town of Shumen is played. And everyone sings enthusiastically.

But that's not all!

"Our school, which has over 100 years of history, educates children from different backgrounds, cultures and skin colours. In the past Tsarev Brod was known as an international village with over 13 ethnic groups. I would also say that we have a Renaissance spirit, and every celebration turns into a village-wide festival," long-time director Tihomir Trifonov told Radio Bulgaria. And more:

Tsarev Brod - the extraordinary history of an international village

"Since 2009, we have had a boxing pear near the teachers' lounge. We have put pictures of the teachers in front of it to reduce aggression. For example, if a student is angry with a teacher, instead of lashing out directly, they can vent their emotions in this way.

Many schools play different tunes instead of ringing the school bell, but our bell has 15 different tones of 30 seconds each. Every day, from 6.45am to 5.30pm, Bulgarian pop music is played over the school PA system, but in a way that does not disrupt lessons. And I think it also fosters patriotism.

Although the school is constantly being renovated and refurbished, no professional has set foot inside for 15 years. "We do the repairs and painting ourselves - mostly the school cleaners, the support staff, sometimes the teachers," says Trifonov. And how do they make ends meet?

"We get a so-called delegated budget, which is strictly based on the number of students. On the other hand, we have land that was given to the school years ago by royal decree. We got the land back after winning a court case, that is - it was not returned to the school itself, but to a so-called Endzhei School Board. We registered it in 2000, it is functioning and is a great help to us. Thirdly, but not least, a lot of people volunteer to help us in various ways - with food or building materials and so on," says the headmaster.

The school has a long-standing relationship with the 100-year-old Benedictine convent of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the village of Tsarev Brod. Benedictine nuns from Germany, South Korea, Nigeria and other countries have taught the children English.

"It has become a tradition over the past 25 years to organise a 5-day summer camp with the nuns every year. They provide lunch and breakfast, we provide the methodology. We send childminders, teachers and sports equipment to the convent. The children have discussions about virtue and ethics, but without any didactic or religious content. In the Benedictine monastery they play games and do sports. During these 5 days, we organise half-day excursions in the area with a patriotic focus," says Trifonov.

For the students of the school, 24 May is a triple celebration. In addition to the Day of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Enlightenment and Culture, they celebrate the patron saints of their school, the brothers Cyril and Methodius of Thessaloniki and St Benedict, who was proclaimed a saint on 24 May 1807.

Cyril the Philosopher and his brother Methodius, together with St Benedict, are the patron saints of Europe," says Tihomir Trifonov.

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