Elena marks 170 years since Stoyan Mihaylovski

Elena is marking National Enlighteners Day with another opportunity to remember the legacy of its native son Stoyan Mihaylovski. In 2026, the town marks 170 years since the birth of the writer, satirist and public figure whose verses became the basis of the school anthem “Forward, Revived People!”

Earlier this year, Elena Municipality announced a programme involving schools, museums, cultural institutions, community centres and the library. Rather than limiting the anniversary to a single ceremony, the organisers planned activities throughout the year for different generations.

Academic conference ahead of 1 November

One of the final major events planned in the anniversary calendar is an academic conference on Mihaylovski's life and work, scheduled for the period preceding National Enlighteners Day. Professor Dimitar Mihaylov of St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo was named as its academic director. When the municipality initially presented the programme, it also outlined competitions, readings, educational meetings and children's activities.

Mihaylovski was born in Elena in 1856. His writing encompasses satire, fables and journalism. His poem “Cyril and Methodius”, later set to music by Panayot Pipkov as the school anthem, continues to connect his name with the celebration of education and literacy.

The municipal institutions announced the activities as a year-long programme. Organisers should be consulted for the final schedules of individual events. 31 October is the publication date of this report, not the date of every activity mentioned.

Sources: Municipal Tourist Information Centre – Elena; BTA; RegNews, 31 October 2026.

Photo: E-volution Media / BRCK — archive photograph of a Bulgarian Revival-era house in Elena. It does not depict the anniversary events.