Skopje, 30 October 2022 (MIA) – Macedonian culture club “Nikola Vapcarov” is set to open in the Bulgarian city of Blagoevgrad on Sunday amid tight security and large media interest. Atanas Maznov of the Macedonian culture club told media that the club opens in order to bring the two nations closer and hopes that the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria would get its rights as will Bulgarians in North Macedonia through their incorporation in the country’s constitution. Representatives of the association of Macedonians living in Bulgaria OMO Ilinden-Pirin, President’s Office Secretary General Mile Boshnjakovski, as well as VMRO-DPMNE and Levica leaders, Hristijan Mickoski and Dimitar Apasiev respectively, have arrived at the club. Greek Orthodox priest Nikodim Tsarknias is also there, saying Bulgaria should not fear the club’s opening but show it is a true democratic and European state. “In Greece, we set up an association named after Krste Misirkov and no one is against its activities. When we went to the court, no one questioned the name of the association. We have been active for three years now. Therefore, Bulgaria should not fear this club,” said Tsarknias. Bulgarian right-wing party VMRO-BND is hosting an exhibit opposite the Macedonian club, including images of Tsar Boris III and Macedonian revolutionaries Goce Delchev and Jane Sandanski, accompanied by loud music. The party also said it would stage a protest.