The Ukrainian Educational Hub in Bulgaria marked the end of its second school year. We recall that the center offers all-day training and although there are two shifts in just 10 rooms, students attend it daily and with great desire. The great number of songs and poems that the children recited during their celebration for the end of the year demonstrated the inspiring work in the center. One of the recited poems was "Testament” (Zapovit) by Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, translated into Bulgarian. It was presented by sixth-grader Valery Vodovozov.

A special guest of the event was the Ambassador of Ukraine to Bulgaria H.E. Olesya Ilashchuk.

"My special greetings are for the teachers and parents who should be proud and happy about the successes of their students and children. Let this exciting last bell ring joyfully in every heart. And I wish Victory to our Ukraine", she said in her congratulatory address.

• “A little piece of Ukraine” in the capital city of Bulgaria

In the next academic year, the Ukrainian Educational Hub will continue to work on its second important task - becoming the first Bulgarian-Ukrainian school in this country.

In an interview with Radio Bulgaria, the coordinator of the center, Elena Volkova, tells us about the hopes of Ukrainian children in this country and how they see their future:

"Of course, every child wishes to return to their native house, to their native town, to study together with their classmates in their homeland, where there is peace. Graduates want to continue studying and developing here in Bulgaria. There are 12 students in the 11th grade and they all plan to study in Bulgarian universities."

Elena did not forget to express her gratitude to Bulgaria, which has helped and continues to help Ukraine in an extremely difficult moment:

"I would like to express my gratitude to all Bulgarians. We also thank the government because they gave us protection on the first day of the full-scale invasion. We now have this opportunity for our children to live under a peaceful sky, to develop, learn and live peacefully."

Read also:

• We must preserve the bond with our students around the world, say Bulgarian teachers from Ukraine

Translation and publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: Facebook/EducationalHUBSofia