On May 24, Bulgarian history meets living tradition: it is the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian alphabet, education, and culture — and also the date on which one of the country’s most famous football clubs was founded.
May 24, 1851 — The First Modern Celebration of Cyril and Methodius Day
On May 24, Bulgaria honours the work of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the cultural tradition that grew from their mission. The first modern celebration associated with the holiday was held in 1851 in Plovdiv, in a school named after the saintly brothers.
During the National Revival, the celebration became a public expression of Bulgarian literacy and cultural self-confidence. It later developed into a national holiday marked by school processions, songs, and ceremonies, and remains one of the few holidays embraced with equal feeling by people of very different outlooks.
May 24, 1914 — PFC Levski Sofia Is Established
On May 24, 1914, PFC Levski Sofia was established. Named after the revolutionary Vasil Levski, the club became one of the most popular and successful teams in Bulgarian football.
Its founding on May 24 tied the sport to a day of education and national culture, and the name added a strong patriotic layer to its identity. The club came to stand at the meeting point between sporting passion and the symbols of national self-awareness.
