"You know that Vasil Levski is the brightest person in Bulgarian history, but he also has a European identity - something that most Bulgarian heroes do not have - this is everything that is connected with brotherhood, equality, freedom, etc. In addition, Levski often mentions France in his letters and is inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution. And I can say that the children are thirsty for information, they react very sincerely and with admiration to everything they learn about Bulgaria. Creating a bond with Bulgaria also goes through the various workshops and ateliers where they get a first-hand experience of Bulgarian culture through dances, songs, holidays, customs - survakane, Christmas, egg painting, martenitsi, etc.," explains Kalina Salomon.

Special attention is paid to the patron of the school. For 2nd and 3rd grade students, the reading lesson about the Apostle of Freedom ends with a virtual walk in the Vasil Levski Museum in Karlovo. And in the framework of a practical workshop after the classes, the children make an interactive folder about the life and work of their patron, we learn from Biserka Ivanova - a teacher of 2nd and 3rd graders in the Bulgarian school.

"Most of the children were born abroad, but they have a connection with Bulgaria because they often spend their vacations there. And it is very interesting that, depending on which part of Bulgaria they are from, they know the history of their birthplace, or that of their parents and proudly tell what they learned during the vacations. In this sense, they are connected to Bulgaria and Bulgarian history. It happens that the children predetermine the topics we will talk about in class. And when I feel that they have knowledge and interest in a certain subject, the lesson turns in another direction", Biserka Ivanova told Radio Bulgaria.

"This starts from the family, from the relationship they have with Bulgaria, and this is the first motive - to be able to fully communicate in Bulgarian when they are on vacation, to be able to understand what they see, to talk about what they experienced. Patriotic education abroad - it starts with the first letter, with the first song and poem that the child learns about Bulgaria. Because if there is no language - the connection is lost," Biserka Ivanova concludes.

We would like to thank the Vasil Levski Bulgarian school in Paris for the willingness to participate in the initiative of Radio Bulgaria "Vasil Levski Revisited" on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Apostle, sending us photos and videos of the lessons on Bulgaria that they conduct with the students - see also the gallery below the text.