In brief
In Sofia, BTA’s LIK magazine presented a November issue celebrating the 180th anniversary of Bulgarski Orel, Bulgaria’s first newspaper. Experts from BTA and Sofia University discussed how early print media helped forge national identity and democratic governance. The event, conducted via video link, drew attention to the press’s influence on public opinion and civic oversight.
On Monday, 9 November 2026, BTA’s Maxim Hall in Sofia hosted a video‑linked launch of the November issue of its *LIK* magazine, commemorating the 180th anniversary of Bulgaria’s first newspaper, *Bulgarski Orel*. According to the Bulgarian News Agency, the event also featured speakers from BTA’s national press clubs both in Bulgaria and abroad.
The issue, a blend of literature, art, and cultural commentary, centers on the formative years of Bulgarian print media, tracing its evolution from the early 19th century through the present day. In a keynote address, *LIK* editor‑in‑chief *Georgi Lozanov* linked the press’s development to a burgeoning sense of national self‑confidence that ultimately contributed to Bulgaria’s liberation in 1878.
Lozanov emphasized that the press “helps people form opinions on important issues,” and that when those opinions converge, public opinion emerges. He added that in a democratic state, public opinion governs those in power, and the expansion of media facilitates governance subject to civic oversight. This perspective aligns with *LIK*’s stated mission to illuminate the press’s democratic function.
Managing Director *Yanitsa Hristova* reflected on the challenges faced by Bulgaria’s first journalists, publishers, and printers. She noted that the country was not a free nation when newspaper publishing began, yet the printed word “had already made significant advances and gained followers elsewhere in the world.” Hristova highlighted the ambition, dedication, and sense of mission that early media figures brought to their work.
*Prof. Zdravka Konstantinova*, a lecturer in the History of Bulgarian Journalism at Sofia University’s Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, offered historical context. She traced the origins of Bulgarian periodical publishing back to 1842, when *Konstantin Fotinov* released a trial issue of the magazine *Lyuboslovie*. She noted that the first Bulgarian newspaper, *Bulgarski Orel*, was published in 1846 by Ivan Bogorov, aligning with the centenary timeline celebrated by the November issue.
Konstantinova further provided quantitative data, stating that by September 1944, Bulgarian periodical publishing had produced more than 10,000 titles. This figure underscores the exponential growth of print media over a century and a half, a point BTA used to underscore the breadth of the print tradition honored in the issue.
*Prof. Albert Benbassat*, a literary historian, critic, publicist, and publisher, also contributed to the briefing. His remarks focused on the cultural enrichment that print media has produced, though specific quotations were not provided in the BTA article.
While the November issue celebrates a historic milestone, the event also raises questions about the future trajectory of print in an increasingly digital era. The BTA event, broadcasted via video link to a global audience of press professionals, implicitly acknowledges the need for print media to adapt while preserving its foundational role in civic engagement.
Notably, the BTA event took place on 11 November 2026, coinciding with both the anniversary of *Bulgarski Orel*’s first publication and the international observance of People’s Liberation, reinforcing the symbolic link between print media and national liberation.
In conclusion, the *LIK* magazine launch in Sofia served a dual purpose: to celebrate Bulgaria’s 180‑year print heritage and to spark conversation about the evolving influence of media in democratic societies. The event highlighted expert analysis from BTA leadership and academia, underscoring the press’s historical role in shaping public opinion, democratic governance, and civic oversight throughout Bulgaria’s national development.
