Greek learning and Bulgarian scholars in the 19th century

Abstract

From the 19 th century onwards, Greece has played an important role in the awakening of the Bulgarian people. Through the teaching of the Greek language, Bulgarians became ardent admirers of the ancient Greek civilization and their knowledge on ancient and modern Greece helped them realize how essential for their people education was. Most educated Bulgarians who were graduates of Greek schools were involved in writing, translation and journalism, along with their educational work. This generation of Bulgarian scholars followed the example of the Greeks in loving their people passionately, and in publishing books and newspapers. The national and revolutionary movement in Greece taught them how to awaken their nation and to save it from any foreign influence. Bulgarians adopted the concerns of the Greeks and the Greek ways of solving problems in all national issues they faced. They used the Greek experience and embraced the new ideas of the time.