European Capital of Culture 2019

Finally, from the Black Sea, I took a train to one of the European Capitals of Culture 2019: Plovdiv. On the way there, I got to experience the impressive mountain landscape of Bulgaria. I also had a conversation with a Bulgarian clarinet player who regularly tours Europe with her orchestra.

Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and a magnet for artists and young people. Historically, Plovdiv has a lot to offer as well. The first traces of settlement date back to the 6th century BC. Furthermore, the Roman influences are hard to miss. Of particular importance are the Roman stadium and the ancient theater.

After the occupation by the Ottomans, the city became a center of national revival. There were more and more wealthy Bulgarians, whose importance in society increased. Through their trade relations with Russia and Europe, these people were open to modern political and cultural influences. In addition to the economic significance of Plovdiv for the Ottoman Empire, the city played a leading role in the fight for an independent Bulgarian church. On December 25, 1859, the entire Christmas liturgy was held in Bulgarian language in the church 'Sweta Bogorodiza' for the first time in Bulgaria's history. Afterwards, Metropolitan Paisii of Plovdiv held a service in Bulgarian in January 1860 and announced the official separation of his community from the Greek church. This led to a religious power struggle until finally in 1870, independence from the Turks was granted and indirectly confirmed the Bulgarian nation as such.

In addition, Plovdiv also played a pioneering role in education. In addition to the first Bulgarian school in 1839, the festival of the brothers Cyril and Methodius was also celebrated there for the first time. A festival that still represents the national celebration of the Cyrillic alphabet and Bulgarian culture to this day.