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

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 significant contributions to research of Bulgarian history. This article provides an overview of the history of teaching the Bulgarian language and Bulgarian studies in general in China, with the main focus on teaching and studying of Bulgarian history. For more than 60 years, the teaching of Bulgarian history has been central in Bulgarian studies in China. In addition to the required courses, the specialty also provides specialized lectures on various topics under the guidance of experts and scholars in the field from China and other countries. Chinese research in the relevant field 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 disciplines of the first level.