The Bulgarian Sunday School in Cincinnati has opened the new school year with a celebration featuring traditional Bulgarian customs, creative activities and the participation of students, teachers and parents.

The school, “Rodoliubie,” marked the occasion with flowers, smiles and warm greetings as students and teachers gathered for the first day of classes, according to a Facebook post from the school cited by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

Students were welcomed with a traditional Bulgarian first-day-of-school ceremony featuring a small vessel of water and a sprig of basil, accompanied by wishes for health and success in the new school year.

The celebration also included traditional Bulgarian bread, adding another familiar element from Bulgarian first-day-of-school traditions.

Bulgarian Traditions and Activities Bring Students Together

As part of an art activity, the children created and decorated bags featuring Bulgarian motifs.

The designs included the Bulgarian national flag, a rose and the phrase “I Love Bulgaria.”

The beginning of the school year was also marked online through Google Classroom, allowing other students to participate virtually in the activities and follow the celebration.

After the first lessons, the day continued with games, laughter and other activities.

The school expressed gratitude to its teachers for their dedication and to its students for the enthusiasm they bring to the school, describing “Rodoliubie” as a home away from home.

The school also extended its wishes for a healthy and successful new school year filled with new knowledge.

School Preserves Bulgarian Language and Cultural Heritage

The Bulgarian Sunday School “Rodoliubie” in Cincinnati opened its doors in 2010 under the Association of Bulgarians in Cincinnati.

According to the information provided by the school, its purpose is to help preserve Bulgarian linguistic and cultural heritage while developing children’s Bulgarian language skills.

The school is included in the list of Bulgarian Sunday schools abroad maintained by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Education and Science.

“Rodoliubie” offers both in-person and distance education in Bulgarian language and literature, as well as history and civilization, geography and economics of Bulgaria.

The school serves children between the ages of three and 18.

Its program also includes extracurricular activities such as Bulgarian music and folk dancing, visual arts, yoga and creative workshops.

Through these activities, students develop their interests and talents while strengthening their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Bulgarian.

The school also works on expanding students’ vocabulary and reinforcing their grammar knowledge through real communication situations.

“Rodoliubie” is a licensed examination center and prepares students to take the Seal of Biliteracy examination through the Department of Language Training at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.”

The preparation is organized in small groups according to the level and goals of each high-school student and includes synchronous online classes.

The school also provides assistance to students and parents throughout the application and examination process. The examination itself is conducted online.