Although the summer is usually the time for recreation and travel, and people do not stay too long at home by the radio receiver, you, our regular listeners and internet users, have continued to follow our broadcasts and to send back mail and comments. More than 1100 letters and emails have arrived to Radio Bulgaria’s mailbox during the months of August and September. Close to 300 listeners from across the world have called us on the phone. Here are some excerpts:
„Radio Bulgaria is one of the few stations I find time for even in the summer”, admits Jens Goessing from Germany. His compatriot Helmut Matt writes the following: „It is always worthwhile to tune in to the wavelengths of your radio, because one is always rewarded with a nice and very informative program. Radio Bulgaria in German is a committed program made by a team that always takes its job as well as its listeners seriously. Instead of presenting readymade views, you deliver multifaceted information that helps us, listeners, in developing our own opinion about things”.
Jorg-Klemans Hofmann is also “looking forward to the colorful and diverse programs from Bulgaria.” He adds: „I find it particularly pleasant to listen to the rich, intense melodies. Current affairs content is also very interesting casting light on the daily life and politics in your country, its people and Bulgarian history.”
According to Reiner Holtmann in Germany there is no information about Bulgaria and therefore for many of his fellow countrymen it has acquired the image not only of a destination for tourism but also of a land marred by crime and corruption. „For this particular reason a program like yours addressed to listeners abroad, is a very good solution. In this way one can get regular information that he or she could pass to friend and family circles and in this way help neutralize prejudice. Keep up the good work”, Mr. Holtmann writes.
Here is an excerpt from the mail of Harry Taylor from Pennsylvania, USA: “Radio Bulgaria programming is consistently professional and covers a broad range of topics. News events in Bulgaria, the Balkans and Europe provide information not available elsewhere. Additionally, your programs always contain informative segments covering music, culture, events, and different regions in Bulgaria. This varied programming is both interesting and informative. I enjoy listening very much”.
The letter of Carl Wolfe has also come from faraway America. Writes Carl: “I very much enjoyed the interview with the EDXC secretary general. Your programs are always well-presented and professional – I find them interesting and attractive.”
“I was very interested to hear a report about the agriculture in Bulgaria, the food and how it is cooked that was also very informative. I hope the EU do not want you to change your way of life and change your character, and tell your government how to run your industry and food stocks”, comments Mick Horsefield from Manchester, England.
Christer Brunstrom from Sweden, a listener of the French language broadcasts, writes: „For years almost every morning I listen to Radio Bulgaria while I work. You play very good music. I am a fan of folk music. I also like your DX programs that provide interesting and plentiful information. I work as a philately journalist and take interest in Bulgarian stamps. I own a collection from 1879 as well as one of the first post stamp issues displaying pictures from Bulgaria”.
Roger Roussel from Canada sends over his greetings: „Bravo to your wonderful programs and incredible folk music that you play in your broadcasts. Go on to bring so much enjoyment to us!”
New listeners from Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Peru, USA and Japan follow with interest Radio Bulgaria emissions in Spanish. „I enjoy greatly your broadcasts that help me learn a lot about your traditions, folklore and history. Radio Bulgaria takes me to an everyday trip to a cherished land. Congratulations for your website”, writes Juan-Antonio Morales from Spain.
Gorge Garcia-Rangel from Venezuela extends an invitation for participation of Radio Bulgaria representatives in the Second Meeting of DXers and Radio Amateurs due at the beginning of next year in Venezuela. „I should like very much Radio Bulgaria to join the event with its special presentation about the future of radio, its new mission, programs and problems”, Gorge Garcia-Rangel writes.
„I am addressing to you with a request for support regarding our demand to UNESCO to declare international radio broadcasts aired both online and on shortwave, intangible heritage of humankind, and also to launch a world day of international radio broadcasts”, writes Berny Solano from Costa Rica.
“Seeing how Radio Bulgaria continues to treat with utmost attention its listeners, despite of the crisis that has swept Europe, is a veritable triumph on shortwave”, Fidel Fidalgo Moncada from Cuba declares in his mail. “I wish we will be able for many more years to find you on the radio scale. You are doing a very good job and it is always a pleasure to get news about everything that has been happening in your wonderful motherland.”
Cuban Liuben Rosales Arevalo wants to know whether the future of Radio Bulgaria has been under threat. „Because recently quite a few radio stations said goodbye to us”, he adds. „How many languages are spoken in Bulgaria? Until what age is education mandatory?” are other questions that Arevalo asks.
Salvador Lavin Carral from Spain should like to know more about Bachkovo Monastery.
In his letter our listener from Belarus Sergey Balbasov asks about the measures taken in Bulgaria for collecting debts from debtors. „I hope that in the future too, you will continue being a tireless guide of your foreign listeners amid a sea of events taking place in Bulgaria”, he adds.
“Since I enrolled in university, I have had little time to listen to radio”, says Roman Pestriakov from Russia. “However, I recently sat by the radio receiver and while searching for Russian voices I came across a steady signal with voices so close to my heart. My dear broadcasters, I was virtually swept by memories from 2003 when for the first time I heard the signal of an interesting country, Bulgaria. Many years have passed, and I still find it so pleasant and interesting to listen to your station. Back then I was still a 12-year-old child and I listened to your broadcasts with great attention. I was listening to Bulgarian music and got acquainted with Bulgarian history. My favorite program was The Way We Live. I’ve got digitalized recordings of the broadcasts in which you told listeners about the highlights in the lives of average Bulgarians. I sometimes listen to the recordings and go back in time to those wonderful years”.
We have got also mail from our Balkan neighbors. „Dear friends, I hope that you regularly receive my letters and cards. I am always delighted with your authentic folk music. Best regards to everybody from the section – from your loyal listener and admirer", writes Tomo Tektic from Boznia-Herzegovina.
The regular listener of Greek language broadcasts Maria Dzamaria once again greets our colleagues for their nice programs and adds: „You take us along tourist routes to show to us beautiful mountains, rivers and lakes, the springs with mineral water and your seaside resorts. Through you I learn about archeological digs across the country and visit monasteries and churches, try Bulgarian meals and Bulgaria’s good wines…”
The number of the readers of the facebook page Friends of Radio Bulgaria in Albanian have increased as well. There regular listener Arsinela Djara from Korca greets the staff of the Bulgarian National Radio and thanks for the participation of the Albanian Section in the 30th International Seminar in Albanian Language, Culture and Literature held n Pristina earlier this year. Neim Selimoglou from the village of Airovo, Kardjali district, Southeastern Bulgaria, who follows Turkish language broadcasts, writes: “I am your regular listener and I like your emissions very much. You are everything for us – our hands, our voice and speech. You are the ones who make personalities out of us. You create these wonderful programs for us. Deep from my heart I wish that all your desires come true.”
Our compatriots abroad continue to send over curious information about life in Bulgarian emigrant communities across the world. The Bulgarian City Club in London has informed us about the opening of a Bulgarian Culture and Information Center in the British capital. Gergana Tsenova who lives in Madrid, has told us about two projects launched in September. Shared Peaks is the initiative of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian Association. On 22 September 50 employees of the Spanish branch of Barclay’s Bank climbed Musala Peak in Mount Rila, Southern Bulgaria, raising charity in the process. Raised charities will be spent on organizing courses assisting unemployed Bulgarians. They are aimed at helping them start their own business in Spain. Another piece of good news is that a new Bulgarian school opens at the Association under the program “Mother tongue and culture abroad” of the Ministry of Education in Bulgaria.
Translated by Daniela Konstantinova
