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

“March ahead, o revived people”, the song dedicated to 24 May

Stoyan Mihailovski
Photo: archive

The Day of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, which is the day of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture, and of Slavonic literature in this country, is more than an official holiday. It is probably the best loved and most unifying festive day of all, and for all Bulgarians – in this country and abroad. And it is invariably connected with one song, with music by Panayot Pipkov and lyrics by Stoyan Mihailovski – the song March ahead, o revived people”. Or as it is popularly known – the Saints Cyril and Methodius anthem.

The poem was first published by Misal (Thought) magazine in Ruse, at the end of the 19th century, under the title of “Cyril and Methodius”. It was on the basis of this text that, in 1901, composer Panayot Pipkov, at the time a school teacher in the town of Lovech, created a song sung by school children on the Day of the Saints Cyril and Methodius (11 May, old style). The very next year it was being performed in most schools across the country, to become a musical symbol of this day, and of Bulgarians’ love of education and culture, because as the lyrics go: “Go! For like the sun is knowledge.On the soul it sheds its rays.” and “Go! A people shall not perish, when true learning lights its days”.

The rendition of the Saints Cyril and Methodius anthem is by the Bulgarian National Radio’s Children’s Radio Choir, conductor Hristo Nedyalkov.

March ahead, o revived people,

To your future march ahead,

Forge your destiny of glory,

By the might of letters led.

March to powerful knowledge,

Let your duty be your guide!

Join the host of other peoples,

God is always by your side.

Go! For like the sun is knowledge.

On the soul it sheds its rays.

Go! A people shall not perish,

When true learning lights its days.

Once unknown and obscure,

Take your place in History.

Let your spirit rule the countries

You subdued in victory.

You saints Cyril and Methodius,

You be blessed thrice above!

Fathers of Bulgarian learning,

Makers of the tongue we love!

Ruse, 1882, April 15




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

Chaz'n'Byanka x Daniel - "One Shot"

The musical duo Chaz'n'Byanka recorded a new song entitled "One Shot". Lyubomir Boyanov and Vasilina Byankova are joined by Daniel Petrov from the band Taking Heed. The song is based on a real and very romantic story.  Lyubomir wrote the song..

published on 7/31/24 10:33 AM

"You promised me" is a collaboration of 20 promising singers 

Among the songs participating in the song contest "Burgas and the Sea 2024" is "You promised me" by the HighLight Vocal Ensemble . The song will be performed by 20 talented young singers from the HighLight Singing Academy. Some of them are well known to..

published on 7/26/24 2:12 PM

"If you call" with Robi and Dara Ekimova

Two young and talented songwriterews and performers have come together in a hit duet. Robi and Dara Ekimova wrote together the music and lyrics of "If You Call", the arrangement is the work of Robi Nikolov and Martin Nikolov . Robi tells about the..

published on 7/25/24 10:33 AM