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Society of Banat Bulgarians celebrates 55 years since its establishment

Banat Bulgarians in folk costumes. The second person from right to left is Mikhail Shipkov.
Photo: Gyuro Lavrov's private archive

On this date, 55 years ago, the first Society of Banat Bulgarians in Bulgaria was established. It was born due to the enthusiasm and ambition of the heir of the Bulgarians from Vinga, Mikhail Shipkov, born in 1919 in the Bulgarian village of Asenovo near the town of Pleven, Northern Bulgaria.

The society was established as a "patriotic organization" uniting the Banat Bulgarians and their descendants in Sofia. Its goal was to maintain close ties with the compatriot groups in Bulgaria in order to preserve the traditional way of life and culture and the Banat Bulgarian self-identity. 

After the death of Mikhail Shipkov in 1996, the society's activities ceased. In 2007, its operation was resumed via the registration of a new society which was the successor of the old one. Its leader became Svetlana Karadzova, which gradually led to uniting the activity of the society and the Falmis concept born in 1998 of the first printed edition of Banat Bulgarians in Bulgarian "FALMIS-Uvec falim" (from the Catholic greeting "Laudater Jesus Christus!", Falmis is based on the abbreviation of this greeting).

In 2016, a dance group "Falmis" was created as part of the organization. It brings the descendants of the Banat Bulgarians in the capital close to the Banat Bulgarian folklore, but also gladly accepts friends and admirers from near and far as members.

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Radio Bulgaria History and religion    Banat Banat Bulgarians Bulgarians Falmis Foundation folklore Mikhail Shipkov Vinga

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