Bulgarian Studies in China (1961–2023): Review with an Accent on the Study of the Bulgarian History

Abstract

The teaching and study of Bulgarian history at Chinese universities has a history of more than 60-year. Bulgarian history classes have been held in China since 1961 and since then have played an important role in students’ understanding of this country, its people and culture. Several generations of Chinese scholars have already made signifi cant contributions to research of Bulgarian history. This article provides an overview of the specifics of teaching the Bulgarian language and Bulgarian studies in general in China, with the main focus on teaching and studying of Bulgarian history. For six decades, the teaching of Bulgarian history has been central in Bulgarian studies in China. In addition to the required courses, the specialty also provides lectures on various topics under the guidance of experts and scholars in the fi eld from China and other countries. Chinese research in the relevant fi eld is considered in the article in the broader context of the global scholarly tradition, while identifying the characteristic prospects of these studies. Chinese Bulgarian studies complement existing Bulgarian studies, which are mainly dominated by scholars from European and Western countries. The issue of the potential integration of these studies into a wide range of works on Slavic studies, Balkan studies and the history of Central and Eastern Europe is also being considered, as well as the fact that in China “regional and national studies” are included in the 14th category of interdisciplinary subjects of the first level.

Received 24 November 2023

Revised 19 October 2024

Accepted 16 November 2024

For citation: Zhan Yanyi, 2024. Bulgarian Studies in China (1961–2023): with an Accent on the Study of the Bulgarian History. Slavic World in the Third Millennium, 19 (3–4), pp. 172–191. https://doi.org/10.31168/2412-6446.2024.19.3-4.08