Mayor of Las Vegas honors celebrations of Bulgarians in Nevada for Day of Bulgarian Culture

published on 5/19/25 12:24 PM

Las Vegas Mayor, Ms. Shelley Berkeley, has declared May 24th as Bulgarian Culture Day in the city with a proclamation

Photo: Maria Samichkova

For yet another year, Bulgarians in Las Vegas gathered on the eve of May 24 to dedicate a special day to Bulgarian language, culture, cuisine, and traditions.

“For the first time, the Mayor of Las Vegas personally attended the Bulgarian festival - Ms. Shelley Berkley presented us with a Proclamation for May 24 and officially declared the date as Bulgarian Culture Day in Las Vegas,” shared Maria Samichkova, spokesperson for the Bulgarian Society of Nevada, which organizes the annual event on the U.S. West Coast, in a report for Radio Bulgaria.

Bulgaria’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Boyko Hristov, also attended the celebration. “I arrived in Las Vegas at the invitation of the Bulgarian Society of Nevada for their traditional Bulgarian festival, organized with great patriotism in honor of May 24 - the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education, culture, and Slavic literature,” he wrote on Facebook, expressing gratitude to “all fellow Bulgarians who passionately preserve the Bulgarian spirit far from home!”

Many people traveled to Las Vegas from other states to take part in the celebration on May 17, Maria Samichkova told us, also sending in photos from the event held near the stage at Sammy Davis Festival Plaza.

“The orchestra ‘Bulgarika’ with soloist Donka Koleva traveled from another state especially to perform here in Vegas.

There was an amazing program and performance by the girls from the folklore group ‘Zharava,’ led by Iva Slavova. Folk dance choreographer Raina Nedelcheva did a wonderful job preparing the students from the First Bulgarian School ‘Vasil Levski,’” Maria Samichkova reported.

Bulgarians in Las Vegas cherish their cultural roots and gladly send their children to Bulgarian school, where they learn the language, history, culture, and geography from a young age, Maria, who also serves as a special correspondent for Radio Bulgaria in the City of Lights, reminded us.

One of Bulgaria’s most cherished holidays inspired many dedicated individuals to get involved in organizing the festival from the early morning hours.

“Craftspeople and vendors set up special booths and workshops. Artists helped children enjoy creative activities like painting and arts and crafts. There was a musical program, a DJ, many donors and sponsors. Talented people brought joy to the children with thoughtful gifts. Artwork by local Bulgarian artists such as Valentin Yordanov, Kamen Cholakov, and one of our youngest painters here, Alexandra Torlakova, was also on display.

The Bulgarian reading club in Las Vegas also participated in the celebration

Bulgarians love their native Bulgarian language and culture, and we love coming together to celebrate May 24. Happy holiday to all our fellow compatriots around the world. Don’t forget your native language - preserve it and pass it on to future generations!” is the message of Maria Samichkova from Las Vegas.