To contact us:
Chitalishte “Rodina”
6000 Stara Zagora
94 Knyaz Boris I St
Phone/fax +359 42 626900
President: Dora Ilieva

Short history

On 25 March 1860 eighteen active Stara Zagora citizens founded the first community of culture (chitalishte) in Zheleznik which successor is the community of culture “Rodina”. Its history and activities are related to the establishment and development of the Theatre “Geo Milev” and the first opera out of the capital city; the regional history museum and the writers’ society in our town. The Community of culture “Rodina” was awarded the town sign of honour and proclaimed Honorary Institution of Stara Zagora with the decision of the Town Council in 2000.

Festivals and contests

The Community of culture “Rodina” organizes a National Contest “Trakiyska lira” for young singers and composers of pop songs traditionally held by the End of July. It aims to make the young talented composers and pop singers recognized and popular. The Community of culture “Rodina” collaborates to the Society of Folklore, Stara Zagora in holding the International Youth Folklore Assembly in spring and autumn.

Membership in professional organizations

Community of culture “Rodina” – member of the Community of culture Union
Library “Rodina” – member of the Union of the library and information workers
Foreign Language Centre – member of Bulgarian Association of quality language services “OPTIMA”
Choir “Rodina” – member of the Choir Union

Schools and courses

Music School since 1954

Subjects taught: piano, guitar, accordion, drums, bass guitar, key board, solfeggio. There are two bands – for primary pupils and secondary school students. There are piano lessons offered to the local kindergartens.

Art School since 1982

Subjects taught: fine arts: painting, graphic, drawing; applied arts: ceramic, paper plastic, collage; exam help for entering secondary and high art schools in Bulgaria and abroad; computer courses in CorelDRAW and Adobe Fotoshop. The Japanese teacher Yuki Sato worked at the school from 2002 to March 2004 and she enriched the school activities with some specific Japanese art techniques. Public activities: author exhibitions; traditional Christmas art auctions where children sell their own pieces of work – Christmas cards, calendars, drawings, Christmas decorations and ceramics; fashion shows for hats, clothes and accessories created and shown by the children themselves; on 1st March the children from the school create a real celebration flying their colourful kites in the sky.

Foreing Language Center since 1956

Languages taught: English and German
Courses: language kindergarten, courses for pupils, students and adults.
Each year the examinations of the British Institute City & Guilds of London and Pitman Qualifications are held in the school. The school has been a member of the Bulgarian Association of quality language services “OPTIMA” which is an associated member of EAQUALS since September 2002.

Amateur clubs

Ballet School Children’s folklore dance assembly “Sinchets” School for folklore singing “Zharava” Children’s choir “Rodina Mixed choir “Rodina” Youth theatre club “Stsena 99” Children’s vocal club “Usmivki” Club for pop singing Club for modern dancing Children’s literary club “Pegasche” Club “Trayana” (children and young people are taught in vocal techniques and stage performing)