Situated in the heart of Plovdiv, Saints Cyril and Methodius High School of Humanities (Хуманитарна гимназия "Св. св. Кирил и Методий", Пловдив) is one of Bulgaria's oldest educational institutions.

With a strong focus on humanities and social sciences, the curriculum is supported by a variety of extracurricular activities, especially those related to community work, like volunteering.

History

Founding and early years The Plovdiv Eparchial School, now known as the Humanities High School, was founded in 1850 by Nayden Gerov. The school quickly became a symbol of Bulgarian spirit and culture, playing a crucial role in the formation of the modern Bulgarian state and nation.

Initially, Gerov structured the educational process using Russian high school programs. His efforts were highly successful, with the first exam in 1851 impressing Bishop Andrea Canova, who remarked, "...the answers to many of the questions I posed are ones I learned in Europe, in higher education institutions. How is it possible for such a newly founded school to grasp such difficult knowledge?"Цит. по Д. Димов. 120 години Пловдивска гимназия; В: Светла летопис. 120 години от създаването на първата гимназия в България – ЕСПУ „Димитър Благоев“ – Пловдив (1868-1988), Пловдив, 1988, с. 8.

Prominent public figure Ivan Evstratiev Geshov fondly remembered the eight "blissful years" he spent at the school, noting that by 1863, subjects like statistics and the history of fine arts were being taught. He praised the French language instruction, claiming he learned French better than students in high schools in 1916.Гешов, Ив. Ев. Спомени из години на борби и победи, София, 1916, с. 24.

After liberation After the Liberation, the Plovdiv Gymnasium resumed its activities, and attracted Czech educators who significantly elevated its standards.Петров, Петър. Чешките учители в Пловдивската мъжка гимназия и бегъл поглед върху техния принос; В: сб. Светла летопис. 120 години от създаването на първата гимназия в България – ЕСПУ „Димитър благоев“ – Пловдив (1868-1988), Пловдив, 1988, с. 76-83.

Despite its dedication to academics, Plovdiv Gymnasium maintained a strong commitment to Bulgarian national sentiments and ideals. Its students actively participated in pivotal national events, including the Grand National Assembly in Tarnovo in 1879, where they made significant contributions to drafting the First Bulgarian Constitution.Палангурски, Милко. Учредителите. Участниците в Учредителното народно събрание в Търново. 10.II-16.IV.1879г., енциклопедичен сборник, София, 2014, с. 143- 145 и с. 244-245; Вж. също: Палангурски, Милко. Бащите на българската конституция, Велико Търново, 2019, с. 38-40.

Official names +NAMEYEARS USEDGENDER COMPOSITION'Sts. Cyril and Methodius' Class Eparchial School 1850–1867Single-sex'Sts. Cyril and Methodius' Plovdiv Male Gymnasium 1868–1884'Prince Alexander I' 1st Male Gymnasium 1885–1947'Dimitar Blagoev' Unified Secondary Polytechnic School 1948–1993Mixed'Prince Alexander I' Secondary General Education School 1994–1995'Sts. Cyril and Methodius' Gymnasium with Humanities Profile 1996–2015'Sts. Cyril and Methodius' Specialized Humanities High School 2016–2017'Sts. Cyril and Methodius' High School of Humanities 2017–Present

Notable alumni Source: Teachers

Authors and publishers

Yoakim Gruev (1828–1912), translator and author of textbooks Hristo G. Danov (1828–1911), the father of organized book publishing in Bulgaria

Artists

Georgi Danchov (1846–1908), photographer, illustrator and comics artist Ivan Mrkvička (1856–1938), painter Anton Mitov (1862–1930), art critic and art historian Zlatyu Boyadzhiev (1903–1976), painter Svetoslav Obretenov (1909–1955), composer and choir conductor

Politicians

Petko Karavelov (1843–1903), served 4 times as Prime Minister of Bulgaria, founder of the Liberal Party and later the Democratic Party Dimitar Blagoev (1856–1924), journalist, philosopher and founder of the Bulgarian Communist Party Andey Toshev (1867–1944), professor of botany, diplomat and former Prime Minister of Bulgaria

Other

Anton Bezenshek (1854–1915), journalist and shorthand expert Antonín Šourek (1857–1926), mathematician Frantisek Splitek, mathematician Ludwig Lukash, chemist Karel Škorpil (1859–1944), archaeologist and museum worker Nikola Gabrovski (1871–1962), colonel in the Bulgarian army Stefan I of Bulgaria (1878–1957), Bulgarian prelate

Students

Revolutionary activists

Lyuben Karavelov (1834–1879), poet, journalist and leader of the Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee Vasil Levski (1837–1873), founder of the Internal Revolutionary Organisation Todor Kableshkov (1851–1876), one of the leaders of the April Uprising

Prime Ministers of Bulgaria

Ivan Geshov (1849–1924), politician, governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (1883-1886) Konstantin Stoilov (1853–1901), lawyer, politician and founder of the People's Party Andrey Lyapchev (1866–1933), politician Georgi Kyoseivanov (1884–1960), politician and diplomat

Politicians

Mikhail Madzharov (1854–1944), lawyer and diplomat: MP under the People's Party from 1880, Financial Director of Eastern Rumelia (1884-1885), Bulgarian Ambassador to the UK (1913), to Russia (1914-1915), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1919-1920)

Writers

Ivan Vazov (1850–1921) poet and novelist, nominated for the 1917 Nobel Prize in Literature Pencho Slaveykov (1866–1912), poet and philosopher Peyo Yavorov (1878–1914), poet Luydmil Stoyanov (1886–1973), writer, translator, and literary critic Dimcho Debelyanov (1887–1916), poet

Scientists

Asen Zlatarov (1885–1936), biochemist, writer and social activist

Composers

Panayot Pipkov (1871–1942), composer of children's choir songs Georgi Atanasov (1882–1931), the first professional Bulgarian opera composer

References