Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Society of Banat Bulgarians celebrates 55 years since its establishment

Banat Bulgarians in folk costumes. The second person from right to left is Mikhail Shipkov.
Photo: Gyuro Lavrov's private archive

On this date, 55 years ago, the first Society of Banat Bulgarians in Bulgaria was established. It was born due to the enthusiasm and ambition of the heir of the Bulgarians from Vinga, Mikhail Shipkov, born in 1919 in the Bulgarian village of Asenovo near the town of Pleven, Northern Bulgaria.

The society was established as a "patriotic organization" uniting the Banat Bulgarians and their descendants in Sofia. Its goal was to maintain close ties with the compatriot groups in Bulgaria in order to preserve the traditional way of life and culture and the Banat Bulgarian self-identity. 

After the death of Mikhail Shipkov in 1996, the society's activities ceased. In 2007, its operation was resumed via the registration of a new society which was the successor of the old one. Its leader became Svetlana Karadzova, which gradually led to uniting the activity of the society and the Falmis concept born in 1998 of the first printed edition of Banat Bulgarians in Bulgarian "FALMIS-Uvec falim" (from the Catholic greeting "Laudater Jesus Christus!", Falmis is based on the abbreviation of this greeting).

In 2016, a dance group "Falmis" was created as part of the organization. It brings the descendants of the Banat Bulgarians in the capital close to the Banat Bulgarian folklore, but also gladly accepts friends and admirers from near and far as members.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski

More than 300 bible researchers attend international conference in Sofia

Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is to play host to more than 300 scholars from all over the world at the traditional international conference of the European Association of Biblical studies. The forum is to take place at the rectorate of the..

published on 7/14/24 7:55 AM

The statue found at Heraclea Sintica has been shipped off to the History Museum in Petrich

The big marble statue found recently in the ancient town of Heraclea Sintica has been moved to the History Museum in Petrich. Archaeologists make new significant discovery in Heraclea Sintica Heraclea Sintica reveals more of its ancient..

published on 7/13/24 10:42 AM

Late medieval Bulgarian clothing and weaponry on display at the Baba Vida fortress in Vidin

"Late Medieval Bulgarian Clothing and Armour" is the name of the new permanent exhibition at the Baba Vida Fortress in the town of Vidin on the Danube.  Visitors can see the clothing, armour and accoutrements of the late Middle Ages in the Bulgarian..

published on 7/4/24 6:50 AM