The Bulgarians in Transnistria

The population of Transnistria is a true ethnic mosaic. The largest group consists of Moldovans (Romanians) - 31.9% according to the 2004 census. They are followed by Russians (30.3%) and Ukrainians (28.8%). The rest of the population is made up of Bulgarians (2%), as well as representatives of other nationalities, including Poles. Most of all Bulgarians live in the village of Parcani, located 5 km west of Tiraspol. The population of the village is more than 10 thousand inhabitants (10.2 thousand), of which 80% are Bulgarians. The village of Parcani was founded around 1740, but the Bulgarians settled here at the beginning of the 19th century (possibly in 1803 or 1811, or even in 1806). Bulgarians also live in Tiraspol and in Rîbniţa. Beginning with the 90ies of the 20th century, two schools from Parcani began to teach the Bulgarian language and the government of Bulgaria is giving great help in this. Also, the Bulgarian population of Transnistria has the opportunity to study Bulgarian language in universities.