In brief
On November 9, 2026, BTA’s LIK magazine presented a special issue on the anniversary of Bulgarski Orel in a video‑linked event at Sofia’s Maxim Hall. Speakers from BTA, Sofia University, and intellectuals highlighted how the press fueled Bulgaria’s liberation, freedom of speech, and civic accountability. The session traced the evolution of print media from the 1842 trial of _Lyuboslovie_ to over 10,000 titles by 1944, underscoring journalism’s ongoing stake in public opinion and governance.
On November 9, 2026, at 4 p.m., a video‑linked launch of BTA’s LIK magazine unfolded in Sofia’s Maxim Hall, marking the 180th anniversary of Bulgaria’s first newspaper, Bulgarski Orel. The event drew national press clubs from Bulgaria and abroad, and brought together journalists, academics, and historians to chart the press’s journey from the early days of the mid‑nineteenth century to today’s digital landscape.
The November issue of the Bulgarian News Agency’s (BTA) LIK magazine – a periodical covering literature, art, and culture – was dedicated to the birth of the nation’s press and its continuing influence on democratic life. The launch was highlighted by BTA’s editor‑in‑chief, Georgi Lozanov, who spoke about the historic linkage between the press’s growth and Bulgaria’s 1878 liberation.
"In a democratic state, public opinion governs those in power, while the development of the media makes it possible to create a new quality of governance that is subject to civic oversight," said Lozanov.
Lozanov’s remarks struck at the heart of the civic stakes the press raises: an informed public that can hold leaders accountable. He framed the press as the medium by which citizens form opinions on important matters, and where converging views give rise to a collective public opinion that can influence statecraft.
Managing Director Yanitsa Hristova echoed this sentiment, describing how BTA’s reporting reflects the ambition and dedication of the first Bulgarian journalists, publishers, and printers. She noted that these pioneers worked under very difficult conditions – Bulgaria was not yet a free country – yet publication and printing had already achieved significant advances abroad, giving local readers a window on the wider world.
The most detailed historical discussion came from Prof. Zdravka Konstantinova of Sofia University, whose lecture on the history of Bulgarian journalism traced the timeline back to 1842, when Konstantin Fotinov published a trial issue of the magazine Lyuboslovie. Food for thought was presented with the observation that the first Bulgarian newspaper, Bulgarski Orel, was launched in 1846 by Ivan Bogorov, positioning its publication 30 years before the Balkan nation gained its own crown.
By September 9, 1944, the body of Bulgarian periodicals had more than 10,000 titles, according to Konstantinova, a figure that demonstrates the vast scale of media production even in a country still under foreign influence. This swelling number of publications contributed to building a strong civic culture – the press served as a channel for public debate that nurtured the nascent idea of a representative state.
In a closing remark, Prof. Albert Benbassat – a literary historian, critic, publicist, and publisher – emphasized the literary value of journalism. He highlighted the ways early newspapers balanced commentaries on art and culture with pressing civic issues, thereby shaping the way Bulgarians interacted with each other, their government, and the world.
The launch event’s virtual link opened the venue to a wider audience across the country, illustrating how communication technology continues to build on the foundations laid by print media. The hybrid format allowed press clubs from different cities and from other nations to participate, reinforcing the concept that journalism is both a national and international enterprise.
Event participants took turns recalling how early prints were printed in secrecy outside the borders of the Ottoman Empire, so that the Bulgarian language and culture survived in the public sphere. They also reflected on a more recent case where the press risked its own institutional stability to expose corruption within local governance. The journalists argued that these early acts of investigative reporting helped cultivate public scrutiny that served as a bulwark against authoritarian impulses.
Readers and scholars listed evidence suggesting that the press has historically interacted with state institutions in a way that is both supportive and critical. When Bulgaria achieved freedom in 1878, the media’s role shifted from underground dissemination to a public obligation to hold the government accountable. The speakers pointed out that where the press reports freely, the electorate is better equipped to navigate elections, public policies, and public court decisions.
As the November issue of LIK magazine concludes, it invites Bulgarian citizens who want to become journalists to engage with civic content and develop the skills necessary for verifying facts and maintaining the democratic standard of information. Such a civic push helps citizens understand how public opinion can shape the field of public accountability and ensure that governance is transparent and responsive.
Ultimately, the event underscored that print media’s legacy in Bulgaria goes beyond stories and slogans; it forms the bedrock of contemporary civic life. From the early days of _Bulgarski Orel_ to modern digital platforms, the press continues to serve as a vital conduit for democratic governance and community empowerment.
