ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Related
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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.
Radio Bulgaria History and religion    Banat Banat Bulgarians Bulgarians Falmis Foundation folklore Mikhail Shipkov Vinga

More from category

Regional History Museum - Sofia presents video stories of iconic buildings

In its latest digital section “Buildings Tell a Story”, the Regional History Museum – Sofia presents the stories of iconic buildings in the center of the Bulgarian capital city, as well as of the people who once lived in them. The video initiative..

published on 12/28/24 7:20 AM
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary cathedral in Sofia, part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church

Supreme Court of Cassation rules that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered

T he Supreme Court of Cassation has given final judgement that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered in the register of religious denominations. This isthe first time a second Orthodox church will be registered, the..

published on 12/27/24 9:32 AM
“The Virgin Mary” Arbanasi Monastery

Tracing Albanian ancestry in the Arbanasi architectural reserve

The Arbanasi architectural reserve near Veliko Tarnovo is one of the most popular tourist destinations . The medieval monasteries and churches, including the Church of the Nativity, are particularly attractive. The churches of Arbanasi are museum sites..

published on 12/27/24 8:55 AM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Clear
Min: -8 | Max: 5
Mostly Cloudy
Min: -2 | Max: 2
Mostly Cloudy
Min: -3 | Max: 1
Clear
Min: -14 | Max: 0
Clear
Min: -8 | Max: 1
Clear
Min: -10 | Max: 2
Clear
Min: -10 | Max: 0
Mostly Cloudy
Min: -8 | Max: -1
Clear
Min: -8 | Max: 3
Clear
Min: -11 | Max: 4
Clear
Min: -11 | Max: 2
Clear
Min: -8 | Max: 1
Clear
Min: -9 | Max: 5
Clear
Min: -11 | Max: 1
Clear
Min: -11 | Max: 2
Clear
Min: -10 | Max: 5
Mostly Cloudy
Min: -10 | Max: -1
Partly Cloudy
Min: -8 | Max: 2
Partly Cloudy
Min: -6 | Max: 1
Clear
Min: -7 | Max: 3
Clear
Min: -12 | Max: 0
Clear
Min: -10 | Max: 2
Clear
Min: -10 | Max: 4
Mostly Cloudy
Min: -10 | Max: 0
Clear
Min: -9 | Max: 2
Mostly Cloudy
Min: -7 | Max: -1
Clear
Min: -7 | Max: 4
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

The Church of St. Haralambos in Bulgaria's Shabla keeps the faith of generations alive

Every year on February 10, the feast of St. Haralambos   , Bishop of Magnesia, is celebrated with special solemnity in a small Bulgarian town in the..

published on 2/10/25 6:05 AM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"