Sts. Cyril and Methodius High School of Humanities, Plovdiv

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 and most respected educational institutions.

With a strong focus on humanities and social sciences, the school drives its students to consistently excel in national exams and competitions. The challenging curriculum is supported by a variety of extracurricular activities, especially those related to community work, like volunteering.

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?"

After 1860, the school attracted exceptionally well-prepared teachers such as Spas Zafirov, Nikola Kovachev, and Dimitar Pavlov. The American missionary John Clark also joined, teaching English, music, and leading gymnastics and hiking activities. This diverse and talented faculty helped solidify the school's reputation as a leading educational institution.

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. Ivan Vazov shared a similar sentiment, stating that he managed to master French in one year to the extent that he could translate French poetry.

According to the prominent researcher of the Bulgarian National Revival, Nikolay Genchev, the level of educational programs at the Plovdiv Gymnasium was so high that a diploma from there was sufficient for admission to foreign universities.

A Beacon of Nationalism and Revolutionary Spirit
The century marked by nationalism and revolutionary fervor on the Balkans did not bypass the Plovdiv Gymnasium. Within its walls, many patriotic Bulgarians received a high-quality education and imbued with patriotic values, realized the need for an independent Bulgarian state, and joined the national liberation movement. Two-thirds of the gymnasium's alumni became organizers and participants in the April Uprising and later joined the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation (1877-1878).

Academic Excellence and National Contribution After Liberation
After the Liberation, the Plovdiv Gymnasium resumed its activities, and attracted renowned Czech educators who significantly elevated its standards. Their contributions were immense: Ludwig Lukash advanced chemistry into an experimental science, Vaclav Dobrusky delved into the history and archaeology of Thrace, the Shkorpil brothers pioneered numismatics in Plovdiv, Ivan Mrkvicka introduced fine arts, Frantisek Splitek authored numerous math textbooks, and Anton Bezenshek founded shorthand in Bulgaria.

Despite its dedication to academic excellence, 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. Notable among these figures were Konstantin Stoilov, a distinguished Sorbonne-educated lawyer who later became a trusted advisor to Prince Alexander I, and Petko Karavelov, both prominent Bulgarian politicians. The gymnasium's alumni also played a crucial role in establishing the administrative structures of Eastern Rumelia, akin to those of the Principality of Bulgaria, marking a pivotal step toward Bulgaria's eventual unification.

Forging Social Change and Cultural Legacy
In the years following the Unification of Bulgaria, the Plovdiv Gymnasium became a hotbed for new ideas about social rights. Visionary teachers such as Georgi Bakalov and Dimitar Blagoev, who were founders of the social democratic movement in Bulgaria, played a crucial role in this intellectual awakening.

During the government of Stefan Stambolov, there was a significant emphasis on developing humanitarian education. However, political tensions with Russia led to the removal of Russian from the curriculum. This situation was rectified in 1894 when Russian was reintroduced, but the lack of teaching materials posed a challenge. Dimitar Blagoev, who was teaching at the Plovdiv Gymnasium at the time, addressed this issue by creating essential resources for students. By the end of 1896, he had published "Guide to the Russian Language" in two parts and "Russian Chrestomathy for Studying the Russian Language."

In 1912, alumni from the Plovdiv Gymnasium and the French College "Saint Augustine" founded Bulgaria's first football club, "Hristo Botev-Football Association," now known as PFC Botev Plovdiv.

The Plovdiv Gymnasium's significant contributions to the city and the country were recognized by Exarch Stefan, who honored the school by calling it "the pride and glory of Plovdiv." This acknowledgment underscores the lasting impact the institution has had on Bulgaria's educational and cultural landscape.

Architecture
In the first year after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the student population at the Plovdiv Gymnasium was 143. By the following year, 1879-1880, the number of students had increased to 600, with a tendency to continue growing. This rapid increase in students created an urgent need for a new building.

The head administrator Aleko Bogoridi and the Directorate of Eastern Rumelia responded to this need by approving Yoakim Gruev's request for a new building. The regional budget allocated 800,000 groschen for the construction of a new Plovdiv Gymnasium building. The task was entrusted to Pietro Montani, who completed the construction of a beautiful and monumental building in 1885. This structure was a romantic harmony of volumes and forms.

On October 20, 1885, the Plovdiv Men's Gymnasium moved into the newly constructed building, which it still occupies today. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prince Alexander I, Stefan Stambolov, architect Montani, clergy, and political figures from Plovdiv and across the country. The beautiful building of the school has witnessed many historical events and remains one of Plovdiv's most remarkable structures.

== Official names of the school throughtout the years ==

== Notable alumni ==

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

Bulgarian 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

Former 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 sinse 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