The Hellenic Educational Association in Sofia came about in 2002, when a few members of the Greek community conceived and birthed the idea of fostering learning and continuing of Greek traditions in a country not one’s original own. The Greek embassy in Bulgaria supported the effort, says Kostas Birtahas, president of the association’s board of directors and one of the founding members, and a school for children of Greek descent or origin living in Bulgaria was formed.

At the beginning, it was intended for children of Greek diplomats, businessmen and company managers, and also for people of Greek descent or origin living more permanently in the country, though no one is excluded, Birtahas says. A few children with no Greek blood whatsoever have since joined in.

He explains that technically, it’s not a language school, as children learn the full range of Greek geography, history, customs and traditions. “We really concentrate on traditions, how things are celebrated in Greece, so kids are in this climate, in this spirit. That’s really what we wanted to keep. … They go to normal school in the morning, and twice a week have evening classes at the Greek school.” The 72 or so pupils at the Lozenets institute range in age from three and a half to 11 or 12.

“We’re helping people to get in touch with their traditions and life in modern Greece.”

Language holds a much-important position in identifying with Birtahas’s country of birth, because what is important, he emphasises, is not only speaking it, but also writing and reading it. A library at the school promotes training in this field.

In addition to education of their own children, the Hellenic Educational Association encourages community service and awareness of those less advantaged. With the organisation Save the Children, they’re helping 10 children who had been placed in institutions to go to regular schools, and elsewhere providing educational supplies.

Raising funds for these measures takes place through social activities and donations of both monetary and non-monetary gifts.

The social aspect is important, as it builds community, fosters relationships and applies learning. Numerous parties, excursions and cultural events are organised throughout the year. In May, they’re inviting a singer from Greece; in February, they held a costumed Carnival party, proceeds of which went to their charity initiatives.

The current board of directors is comprised of Birtahas, Alexandra Brannigan, George Diamantopoulos, Yerasimos Pavaris, Kostas Soupilas and Fotis Tsatsoulis.

Birtahas himself has been in Bulgaria since 1992, when he arrived on a one-year contract with a construction company. He’s since moved on from that position, and others, and is now at Dromeas Office Furniture.
In the meantime, he has married a Bulgarian woman, and they have a six-year-old son who, yes, attends the Greek school.

Those first years in the country were difficult times, because Bulgaria was so poor, he says, and “things were very disorganised, depressing, but I saw there was great opportunity, because things had to change”. Why did he stay? “It just happened,” he says. “I had no reason to leave.”

He enjoys Sofia, finds the pace of life here easy-going, and it’s close to Greece. (Birtahas is from Athens.) Similarities he sees are the climate, the Turkish occupation, the oft-disputed borders, and the Orthodox religion. There are differences – Greeks are more Mediterranean, less disciplined, Bulgarians are more Central Europe-oriented and more organised in the workplace – but he prefers to focus on how the two countries resemble each other. “It’s more constructive,” he says.