# Bulgarian Sunday schools abroad operations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-sunday-schools-abroad-operations
> Updated: 2026-09-20T13:01:02.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Bulgarian Sunday schools located abroad are beginning a new academic year, serving approximately 40,000 students across 410 institutions in 44 countries. These schools focus on teaching Bulgarian language, history, and geography to help children maintain a connection to their heritage.

In Germany, there are 31 such schools serving more than 3,700 students. For example, the ‘Az Buki Vedi’ school in Cologne reported an enrollment of 300 students for the current year, a slight decrease from previous years attributed to declining migration from Bulgaria to Germany.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science is supporting these efforts with over 10 million euros for student education and teacher resources. Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Tanya Pancheva noted that these institutions serve as vital centers for the diaspora to connect with their roots.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Bulgarian Sunday schools abroad welcome 40,000 students

Nearly 40,000 students are starting the school year in 410 Bulgarian Sunday schools across 44 countries, supported by 10 million euros from the Bulgarian Ministry of Education.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-sunday-schools-abroad-welcome-40000-students

### 2026-09-06: Az Buki Vedi Bulgarian Sunday School begins new year in Cologne

The ‘Az Buki Vedi’ Bulgarian Sunday School in Cologne welcomed approximately 300 students for the new school year, noting a slight enrollment dip linked to changing migration patterns.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/az-buki-vedi-bulgarian-sunday-school-begins-new-year-in-cologne

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Cite as: Bulgarian Sunday schools abroad operations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-sunday-schools-abroad-operations