Back to: [Stoyan Mihailovski][SLOVOTO]

March ahead, o revived people,

to your future march ahead,

forge your destiny of glory,

by the might of letters led.

March to powerful knowledge,

let your duty be your guide!

Join the host of other peoples,

God is always by your side.

Go! For like the sun is knowledge.

On the soul it sheds its rays.

Go! A people shall not perish,

when true learning lights its days.

Once unknown and obscure,

take your place in History.

Let your spirit rule the countries

you subdued in victory.

Thus the two brothers encouraged

our people long ago.

O you memorable old times,

O you sacred days of yore!

Bulgaria has ever followed

this most worthy testament,

and accomplished deeds of glory

in triumph and predicament.

For it had its time of power,

then it grievously declined,

yet unhesitantly followed

what was once to it assigned.

There were times when our letters

spread quickly far and wide,

and they nourished human learning

with the wisdom which they hide.

Next came sad and slavish years,

when the proud Balkan son

had to bow under the yoke

of the ruthless Ottoman.

But the spirit of the people

always sought support in you.

Sages! After a millennium

your voice still rings strong and true.

O you saviours of a nation

in the darkest days of doom!

You revivers of its spirit

sleeping in the deepest gloom!

O you champions of true faith,

enemies of strife and lies!

You apostles God-inspired,

bright stars in the Slavic skies!

You saints Cyril and Methodius,

you be blessed thrice above!

Fathers of Bulgarian learning,

makers of the tongue we love!

People will repeat for ever

your two names in every clime

and the Slavs preserve your mighty

speeches to the end of time!

Translated by Evgenia Pancheva

Back to: [Stoyan Mihailovski][SLOVOTO]