Here you will find different classes for children and adults. A variety of events awaits you – Bulgaroteca evenings, music nights, theatre, cinema and much more.

History - The fire inside

From a fall festival to one of the largest dance schools in the United States.

2014 - Our beginning

It all started at the end of 2014, after an autumn gathering when a group of six-seven enthusiasts founded the organization "Bulgarian Traditions" and started what has grown into the cultural center "Bulgarica". 

2015 - Strengthening

We found our place, the hall in Mount Prospect where the first folk dance classes began. In the same period, the first participation on stage of ``Bulgarica`` and the first summer seminar took place.

2016 - Growth

We continued to grow and started new folk dance classes. We also organized the first ``Bulgarian'' with Oratnitsa.

2017 - Development

Interest in ``Bulgarica`` continued to grow and this led to the organization of three more ``Bulgarica``. We have started new classes at a new location, Roselle, as well as groups for children in Mount Prospect. We found our own private space and founded the `Bulgarica` studio.

2018 - Flight

The Bulgarica Center found its new home. We formed new groups in folk dancing for children, zumba, salsa, chess, painting and yoga. This was also the year we established new successful partnerships with BBConect, 6VibeZ, MBU, Village of Mount Prospect and others.

2019 - the year "Bulgarica" unfolded

We covered five new locations, we organized "Bulgaroteca" with Avigeya, we started a new project - Celebrating the 3rd of March with a festive dance. And more - for the first time we took part in the Festival of Cultures in Mount Prospect. We have also added Bulgaroteca @Detroit and Bonadea to our portfolio of projects. We also launched our newest project - Bulgarica Kinomania.

2020 - new opportunities
For growth

It was a difficult year, a pandemic year, full of many
question marks and challenges. Together with all of you, we managed
turn it into opportunities for growth.
2019 - History - Bulgaria

Celebration for the 3rd of March

We organized a celebration for the 3rd of March with a festive dance in front of the Cultural Center Bulgarica, which gathers a large audience every year.

3rd March Concert - Bulgarica

Concert for the 3rd of March

We organized the first celebration concert for the 3rd of March in Chicago on the occasion of the 142nd anniversary of the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.

Historical Circle of Patriotism - Bulgarica

Historical Circle "Patriotism"

We founded a historical circle "Patriotism", with which we started a series of historical lectures on topics of Bulgarian history.

2021 - year of prosperity

We again organized a March 3rd choir, which turned into the biggest choir ever organized, and we made an extraordinary splash at the Mount Prospect Festival of Cultures! We held for the first time memorial service in memory of Vasil Levski and we founded the beginning of the Bagrena Gallery. We celebrated our comeback with "Bulgaroteca - The Great Restart". We also got involved in helping Bulgarians in Chicago by organizing a Bulgarica election.

2022 - Lift

We have seen a significant upturn, expanding our activities. We introduced new educational classes and Shotokan Karate-Do training. The year was filled with exciting cultural events, from a series of Bulgaroteca events and unforgettable Women's Celebrations to the first Book Bazaar. We organized and participated for the first year in the international Chicago Folk Festival 2022. We presented and shared a piece of Bulgaria again at the Mount Prospect Celebration of Culture. We saw remarkable growth in the diversity of activities, strengthening the connection to our roots and Bulgarian community.

2023 - Validation

We introduced new classes for children and adults, attracted talented teachers, and organized inspiring folk dance workshops with Petur Iliev. The Historical Crossing of Patriotism enriched its program with new lectures, and musical evenings created unforgettable memories.

We launched our new website, improving our online presence. The end of the year culminated with our organizing and participation in the Chicago Folk Festival 2023, which generated a great deal of interest and success for the second year in a row.

2024 - Progress

2024 was a year of great progress for Bulgarica Cultural Center. Together with the community, we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a party and a special Bulgaroteca, opened Bulgarica School and the Bulgarica Children's Dance Academy, launched new folk dance classes for children and adults, and participated in a number of prestigious festivals such as Mount Prospect, Skokie, Wheeling, and Romanian Fest. For the third year in a row we organized and participated in the Chicago International Folk Festival. We also hosted the Bulgaroteca 30-33, which continued to bring together friends of folklore and Bulgarian music.

To a better future, across the ocean!

We develop self-awareness and patriotism through the organization of various cultural events.

Our desire is to keep the flame burning in the hearts of all of us and to pass it on to future generations.

MEET BULGARICA’S
SPONSORS

Our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors,
who support us throughout the year!