News - USA, Chicago, Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria

For the fourth consecutive year, the Bulgarian Parade was held in Chicago, dedicated to May 24th – the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Bulgarian Education and Culture. The event was organized by the Elk Grove Village City Hall and the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Chicago. Immediately following the parade, the traditional Bulgarian festival took place, organized by the Bulgarian Arts and Cultural Exchange. During the event, the Bulgarian Consul General in Chicago, Svetoslav Stankov, announced that beginning next academic year, a Bulgarian language lectureship will be established at the University of Illinois.

The Day of the Rescue of Bulgarian Jews, Holocaust Victims, and Crimes Against Humanity was commemorated in Chicago with a special ceremony at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. The event featured a discussion emphasizing the significance of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during World War II—a remarkable act that showcased the humanity, tolerance, and commitment to justice of the Bulgarian people.

Bulgaria’s National Day—March 3rd, Liberation Day—was solemnly celebrated in Chicago and the Midwest region of the United States with numerous initiatives organized by the Consulate General in Chicago, Bulgarian Sunday schools, and cultural organizations.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed in the Chicago suburb Highland Park with a screening of the film “Beyond Hitler’s Grasp” by Michael Bar-Zohar. The film tells the story of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during World War II.

Consul General Svetoslav Stankov participated in the 103rd Congress of the Macedonian Patriotic Organization in the USA and Canada (MPO), which took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Consul General in Chicago, Svetoslav Stankov took part in the National conferences of the Republican and Democratic parties in the USA, where Donald Trump and Kamala Harris accepted the nominations for the 47th President of the USA. Mr. Stankov's participation in both conferences was a reflection of the excellent relations between Bulgaria and the two major political parties in the USA.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the process of implementing a large-scale project, coordinated in advance with all responsible institutions in Bulgaria and the EU, including the implementation and launch of a new version of the National Visa Information System (NVIS).

At the initiative of the Consulate General in Chicago, this year for the first time Europe Day was celebrated with proclamations by the Governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, and the Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson. May 9, 2024, was declared as the Day of Friendship between the European Union and America, emphasizing that the EU and the USA stand side by side as friends and strategic partners on the international stage in defense of their shared values.

Ohio Senate passed a resolution honoring Bulgarian-American heritage. The document acknowledges that Bulgaria and the United States are strategic partners and allies, sharing ties of culture, tradition, and common interest. The State of Ohio is proud to be called home by a large number of Bulgarian-Americans and their descendants who have contributed significantly to the economic development, multicultural diversity, and enrichment of all aspects of life in the State of Ohio.