In brief
A two‑day conference titled "The Western Bulgarian Outlands – History and Prospects" opened in Sofia on 5 November 2026, attended by scholars and officials. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova highlighted the conference’s practical impact and the need for better coordination between government and academia, while noting an upcoming election that should reflect the voice of Bulgarians abroad. The second day will be held in Kyustendil and focus on challenges facing Bulgarian communities in present‑day eastern Serbia.
The Third Scientific Conference on Western Bulgarian Outlands opened in Sofia on Thursday, 5 November 2026, at the National Palace of Culture. The event, titled The Western Bulgarian Outlands – History and Prospects, brought together scholars, experts and representatives of institutions working on issues concerning the Bulgarian minority abroad. Organised by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Historical Studies, the Western Outlands Research Institute and the Bosilegrad Cultural and Information Centre, the conference aims to chart a path forward for Bulgarian‑speaking communities in present‑day eastern Serbia.
Seeking to avoid any academic isolation, the minister of foreign affairs, Velislava Petrova, spoke at the opening ceremony and stressed that the conference’s findings should move beyond discussion and into actionable policy. She noted that conferences on the Western Outlands had already produced tangible results that could be put to practical use and that the government would pursue a renewed assessment of the problems faced by the Bulgarian minority.
"I hope these elections will adequately reflect the voice of the Bulgarians there,"
Petrova said. She added that the Foreign Ministry would do everything within its remit to make use of scholars’ expertise. The minister also highlighted difficulties scholars face when crossing the border, underscoring the significance of their work and the need to remove obstacles that impede research.
Continued Government Commitment
Petrova confirmed that Bulgaria’s membership in the EU and NATO does not negate the responsibility to support its non‑resident communities. She affirmed that efforts to defend national interests will therefore involve sustaining cooperation with the academic world and the Bulgarian diaspora in neighbouring countries. The Bulgarian government also pledged to continue working on minority issues and called for further political reflection ahead of the upcoming elections, which will mark a key moment for representation of the Bulgarian minority abroad.
The conference schedule outlined the first day’s sessions in Sofia and the second day’s location in Kyustendil, where the event will specifically address challenges facing Bulgarian communities in eastern Serbia. The organizers highlighted the historical context of the “Western Outlands”—territories that were part of Bulgaria until 1920 and were ceded to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes under the Treaty of Neuilly-sur‑Seine after World War I. The term mainly refers to areas around Bosilegrad and Dimitrovgrad (formerly Caribrod), where a sizeable Bulgarian‑speaking population still resides.
During the opening day, a range of scholars presented on the social, cultural and educational dynamics within Bulgarian diaspora communities, while officials outlined the structures through which the government will monitor progress and review policies. The backdrop of an open parliament session that included Bulgarians from abroad gave the conference a bipartisan emphasis, articulated by Minister Petrova, emphasising the need for effective collaboration between state institutions and the academic community to safeguard the rights of minorities.
Looking ahead, the second day in Kyustendil will host workshops and dialogues on practical measures to nurture Bulgarian cultural institutions, strengthen cross‑border cooperation, and improve access to language education and social services for Bulgarian minorities in eastern Serbia. The conference’s outcomes aim to inform future legislative initiatives, support minority rights, and present a framework that the government can refer to as it engages with international partners on minority issues.
