Balgarianovinite.com The National Gathering of the Sarakatsani in Bulgaria was held on Saturday in the Karandila area above the city of Sliven. This year marked the 33rd edition of the event, bringing together members of the Sarakatsani community from both Bulgaria and Greece.
Among the official guests were Sliven Mayor Stefan Radev, Municipal Council Chairman Dimitar Mitev, Greek Ambassador to Bulgaria Alexios Marios Lyberopoulos, MPs Ivaylo Hristov and Desislava Taneva, the Director of the Regional History Museum in Sliven. Nikolay Sirakov, and others.
In his address, Archimandrite Stefan, speaking on behalf of Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven, emphasized the importance of faith, memory, and tradition in preserving the community. According to him, the true wealth of a nation lies not only in its past, but in its faithfulness – to its traditions, customs, language, and culture, and above all, to God.
“Preserving our folk traditions is a noble mission, but even more important is preserving the sacred tradition of our Holy Church,” Archimandrite Stefan said.
He encouraged the Sarakatsani to pass on to their children not only their cultural heritage but also the faith that has sustained generations.
The participants were also addressed by Dr. Atanas Grunov, Chairman of the Federation of Cultural and Educational Societies of the Sarakatsani in Bulgaria. He welcomed the guests and participants and stressed the importance of the gathering as an event that unites people through their shared origins, the memory of their ancestors, and their love for their traditions, language, and culture.
Dr. Grunov highlighted the importance of passing on the values of the Sarakatsani community to the younger generations, who will carry its history forward and preserve the identity of the Sarakatsani people.
Sliven Mayor Stefan Radev welcomed the participants in Greek and noted that the Sarakatsani community enriches the city through its culture, entrepreneurial spirit, and energy, as well as through its commitment to preserving family and traditional patriarchal values.
“I believe that the Sarakatsani community can serve as a successful bridge and ambassador between Bulgaria and Greece, contributing to the well-being and prosperity of our two brotherly nations,” Radev said.
Greek Ambassador Alexios Marios Lyberopoulos said that it was a great joy and honor for him to attend the 33rd Sarakatsani Gathering. He noted that this was the third time he had participated in the event and that the Sarakatsani community had given him a strong sense of brotherhood and family.
Ambassador Lyberopoulos emphasized the importance of preserving traditions, family love, and hope for the future – values that the Sarakatsani pass on to their children in both Bulgaria and Greece. He said that, as the Ambassador of Greece, he holds in his heart the example set by the Sarakatsani community and encouraged that these messages of brotherhood continue to be passed on to future generations.
The Ambassador wished good health to all families and stressed the importance of looking to the future with love, guided by the support of the Church.
The National Gathering of the Sarakatsani in Bulgaria is organized by the Federation of Cultural and Educational Societies of the Sarakatsani in Bulgaria.
The Sarakatsani of Bulgaria are a Greek-speaking nomadic population originating from the region
of South Pindos, who after the establishment of the Balkan states chose to remain in Bulgaria. According to a 2011 census, Sarakatsani in Bulgaria numbered 2,556.
33rd National Gathering of Bulgarian Sarakatsani Takes Place Near Sliven 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-08-22 14:48:18
Prime Minister Radev Meets with Ukraine’s President’s Head of the Office Budanov 2026
Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
БЪЛГАРИЯ НОВИНИТЕ – ИНФОРМАЦИОННА АГЕНЦИЯ 2009-2026 2026-08-22 14:48:18
