On 11 November 2026, the Bulgarian News Agency’s (BTA) LIK magazine debuted its November issue in a video‑linked ceremony at BTA’s Maxim Hall in Sofia, marking the 180th anniversary of *Bulgarski Orel*, the nation’s first newspaper. The event drew a remote audience that included national press clubs across Bulgaria and abroad.
The issue, a collection of essays, articles, and archival images, maps the development of print media in Bulgaria from the early 1840s to the present day. BTA’s editorial team framed the narrative around the press’s role in building national identity, ensuring freedom of speech, and sustaining civic oversight. In his opening remarks, LIK Editor‑in‑Chief Georgi Lozanov recalled that the formative years of the Bulgarian press were intertwined with the country’s drive toward liberation in 1878. He stated that the media’s emergence “became closely linked to self‑confidence that led to Bulgaria’s Liberation and, later, became associated with the concept of freedom and freedom of speech.”
“People form opinions on important issues on the basis of the press and the media, and when these opinions converge, public opinion emerges.”
Lozanov added that in a democratic state public opinion governs those in power and that the development of media allows for a new quality of governance that is subject to civic oversight.
Yanitsa Hristova, LIK Managing Director, highlighted the hardships faced by the first Bulgarian journalists, publishers and printers. She said that Bulgaria was not a free country at the time, yet newspaper publishing and printing had already made significant advances and gained followers elsewhere in the world. Hristova described the conditions under which the Bulgarian press emerged as “difficult” and emphasized BTA’s editorial commitment to conveying the ambition, dedication and sense of mission that underpinned the work of those early pioneers.
Prof. Zdravka Konstantinova of Sofia University’s Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication took the podium to describe the history of Bulgarian journalism. She reminded the audience that the country’s periodical publishing dates back to 1842, the year Konstantin Fotinov published a trial issue of the magazine Lyuboslovie. She then identified the first Bulgarian newspaper, *Bulgarski Orel*, which appeared in 1846 under the direction of Ivan Bogorov. Konstantinova capped her remarks by noting that by September 1944, Bulgarian periodical publishing had produced more than 10,000 titles.
Literary historian, critic and publisher Prof. Albert Benbassat also delivered a lecture stressing the historical significance of early journalism. Benbassat’s speech underscored how the nascent press not only informed the public but also helped lay the groundwork for the eventual re‑establishment of a state apparatus.
During the video‑linked launch, press members from both domestic and international press clubs could view the proceedings in real time and contribute comments through a live chat feature. The BTA’s event organizers had set up a secure streaming platform that allowed for moderated question and answer sessions, ensuring that speakers could address audiences worldwide.
In addition to the keynote speeches, the issue’s booklet compiled a series of editorial histories and reproduced rare illustrations from early 19th‑century print shops. The collection aims to educate readers on the evolution of Czech printing techniques, the role of clandestine samizdat literature, and the digital innovations that now contribute to Bulgaria’s contemporary media landscape.
The launch event concluded with a virtual tour of the Maxim Hall’s archives, where original copies of *Bulgarski Orel* and its successor publications are displayed. BTA’s press secretary closed the ceremony by emphasizing the ongoing importance of media in a democratic society and inviting continued dialogue between journalists, scholars, and the public.
As the video link faded and Antwerp-wide comments dissolved into the evening, the November issue of LIK magazine—now in circulation—remains a tangible reminder of how early Bulgarian journalism helped shape the nation’s past and informs its future.
