International Mother Language Day marked with strong participation in Kirkovo, Bulgaria
International Mother Language Day was celebrated with broad participation in the village of Fotinovo (Hatipoğulları), part of the municipality of Kirkovo (Kızılağaç) in southern Bulgaria, highlighting the importance of linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.
The event, organized on the occasion of February 21 International Mother Language Day, brought together local officials, educators, and representatives from Türkiye and Western Thrace.
Among the attendees were Deputy President Batuhan Hasan of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers' Union, Consul General Emre Manav of the Republic of Türkiye in Plovdiv, Kirkovo Mayor Şinasi Süleyman, Deputy Mayor Tasim Haciveysal, President Harun Bekir of the South Bulgaria Turkish Teachers’ Association, representatives of the Western Thrace Teachers’ Association, and school principal Ahmet Bozov, along with numerous guests.
UNESCO-Recognized Global Observance
International Mother Language Day was proclaimed on November 17, 1999, by the General Conference of UNESCO and has been observed annually since 2000. The day underscores the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide.
During the program in Fotinovo, speakers emphasized the fundamental role of mother tongue education in safeguarding cultural identity and strengthening social cohesion.
Cultural Performances Highlight Linguistic Heritage
The event was hosted at the Probuda Community Cultural Center in Fotinovo and featured a dance and poetry group led by veteran Turkish language teacher Zekiye Hasan. The program was prepared in cooperation with the Kirkovo Personal Development Support Center and the Theological High School in Momchilgrad (Mestanlı).
The evening opened with poetry dedicated to the mother tongue, performed by the Probuda Cultural Center group. Naciye Kehayova, a student from the Momchilgrad Theological High School, recited the poem “Ana Dilim” (“My Mother Tongue”).
Young participants Tsveti Encheva and Sılza Kirkova read poems by Ran Bosilek, one of Bulgaria’s prominent children’s literature authors.
Following the poetry segment, the Kirkovo Personal Development Support Center group performed the traditional folk dance “Eleno Mome,” drawing significant applause. The program also featured a zeybek dance by the cultural center’s dance troupe, a theatrical sketch titled “Parent-Teacher Meeting” prepared by students of the Momchilgrad Theological High School, and a performance of the folk song “Erik Dalı.”
The event concluded with a Thrace-region folk performance, “Ramo Ramo.”
Emphasis on Cultural Identity and Unity
In their speeches, Mayor Şinasi Süleyman, South Bulgaria Turkish Teachers’ Association President Harun Bekir, and Consul General Emre Manav stressed that protecting and promoting one’s mother tongue is a cornerstone of cultural identity.
They underlined that such events play a vital role in fostering social unity and celebrating multicultural richness in Bulgaria and the wider Balkan region.
The program ended to strong applause from participants, reflecting the community’s continued commitment to linguistic heritage and intercultural dialogue.
