In 1922, a group of prominent intellectuals came up with a proposal to declare November 1^stthe Day of the Bulgarian national awakeners - writers, martyrs and heroes from the glorious past of Bulgaria, who played an important role in raising Bulgarian self-consciousness over the centuries. That same year, the proposal was adopted by the Council of Ministers.

"As a nation, we tend to forget the people who have contributed to the spiritual enlightenment of our entire society. In the years immediately following the great military catastrophes that Bulgaria experienced in the early 20^th century, the need to revive the national memory was more than obvious. That is why the intellectual elite of Bulgaria united around the idea to dedicate one day of the year to our national awakeners," explains in an interview with Radio Bulgaria the notable historian Prof. Dr. Plamen Mitev.

November 1^stwas chosen as the Day of the National Enlightenment Leaders and Awakeners - the date on which St. John of Rila (Ivan Rilski) was venerated according to the old style calendar. This greatest Bulgarian saint (876-946) was declared the first Bulgarian awakener. In the 18^th century, the figure of Paisii Hilendarski stood out - the monk who wrote in the darkness of the Ottoman rule the "Slavo-Bulgarian History" to show the oppressed Bulgarians that they are a nation with a glorious past.

However, his follower Sofroniy Vrachanski (Sophronius of Vratsa) significantly surpassed his first teacher, leaving extremely visible traces for the spiritual awakening of the Bulgarians", Prof. Plamen Mitev believes.

Listen to his interview from the collection of Radio Bulgaria in the publication "Sophronius and the spiritual awakening of Bulgarians".

In the 19^thcentury the most prominent awakeners were the fighters for liberation from the Ottoman rule, the national heroes Vasil Levski and Hristo Botev, and many other personalities for whom the well-being and prosperity of Bulgaria were a matter of high morals, spiritual growth and strength to defend one’s ideals.

Today, November 1^st is a holiday of Bulgarian scientists and Bulgarian journalists.

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova