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Highlights from February’s Mailbox

"Only a few days ago I found your website and I am delighted that there is a German-language radio from and about Bulgaria”, writes Hans Martin Winner from Germany. “For me this is the most comprehensive and exhaustive media, which I've come across in recent years. You provide an amazing wealth of interesting information. Of particular importance to me is the news bulletin, the topics from everyday life and from the field of science and ecology. Thanks to your shows in the future I will have the opportunity to be always informed. For this reason, most likely Radio Bulgaria will become my constant media companion. In addition to a number of other shows, it's been very interesting for me to listen to your "mailbox" dedicated to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. "

Very active in their feedback in February were RB’s friends from Germany who sent more than 300 emails and about 100 reports. Overall 1,100 letters arrived in our virtual and real mailbox this month, and about 300 listeners called on the phone.

It is noteworthy that many of our listeners from neighboring Balkan countries are concerned most about the events related to the massive civil unrest Bulgaria over the last month.

Jivota Djuric from Belgrade, Serbia, for example, says in his letter: "As God is my witness, that in these days I think about what is happening in Bulgaria all the time. Sorry you had to come to this situation. I hope the situation will be solved in the best way for the people. These things happen also here”.

His compatriot Blagoj Dorich also expresses his opinion on this subject: "It is not good when foreigners are usurping your country and people have nothing to pay their electricity bills and taxes ... Freedom for the Bulgarian people! "

The street protests in Bulgaria over the past month were among the most discussed topics also by the friends of Radio Bulgaria in Albania. Grigor Thanasi said: "Well done for Bulgarian citizens who go out and defend their rights. Albanians also learned that CEZ was not operating correctly and quickly chased the Czech company away ... We are witnessing the culmination of the development of public awareness worldwide. In this respect, the brotherly Bulgarian people fully protect its citizenship position”.

At the facebook page of RB’s Albanian section the most popular post was the interview with the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Bulgaria Shpend Kallaba. The material devoted to the fifth anniversary of the independence of Kosovo and Bulgaria's role in bilateral relations was liked by more than 60 users.

The listeners have expressed a desire to hear more interviews with Albanians living in Bulgaria.

Recent events in Bulgaria related to the resignation of the Cabinet and mass protests sparked comments also of Lyudmila Dementieva of Russia, who says she is interested in what happens in Bulgaria.

Vladimir Shut from Russia has enjoyed a feature on the history of Bulgarian circus and also the songs played in RB’s webcasts that remind him of the country he loves so much.

Fedor Sabiy, President of the Bulgarian community in Moldova, comments in his letter on the celebrations of the 140th anniversary of the death of Vasil Levski.

In February again our compatriots abroad shared interesting information. For example, in an email Spas Tashev, chairman of Friendship Society Bulgaria – Honduras considers the outlook for Bulgaria in the possible choice of Honduran Cardinal Maradiaga as the new pope. He was not elected, as we already know yet there is a Bulgarian connection that makes this Cardinal interesting for us. 

“Following some strange twists of fortune, in 2008 I contacted diplomats from Honduras, as we discussed mostly variants of cultural cooperation. Later, I found the presence of a significant community of descendants of Bulgarians who contributed to the development of Honduran agriculture and bread making. Then came the sensation - the presence of the river Bulgaria in Honduras discovered in the early 20th century by Bulgarians and named in honor of the motherland. So in 2011, after the cutting of a piece of the Holy Cross, held almost 90 years in Bulgaria, I suggested to give it to Honduras in recognition of their tolerance and appreciation for the fact that there is the only river named after Bulgaria .... Later I realized that it was Cardinal Maradiaga who ordered that the Christian relic donated by Bulgaria should be displayed in the central Cathedral in Tegucigalpa, accompanied by a text of gratitude for Bulgaria’s exceptional gesture."

On the occasion of the National Day of Bulgaria on March 3, the Bulgarian Embassy in India has even sent a formal letter asking to be given a CD with Bulgarian music. Over the years, a practice has been established of airing Bulgarian music on the All India radio to celebrate two great holidays - 3 March and 24 May.

"The cooperation between the Bulgarian National Radio and All India Radio is extremely positive and useful for Bulgarian cultural interests and should continue in the future," reads the letter signed by Borislav Kostov, Ambassador of Bulgaria in New Delhi.

Besides a CD with Bulgarian music also a feature was prepared dedicated to the National Day of Bulgaria. It was sent to 30 foreign radio stations that broadcast in Bulgarian, but also to Bulgarian schools and cultural centers across the world.

Also ambassadors of Radio Bulgaria across the world are our own listeners. Mrs. Claudia Marcela Velásquez Contreras from Bogota, Colombia, who is engaged to a Bulgarian said: "My desire is to contribute to the greater convergence between our countries, so I assumed the task as many people here to learn about your radio, and introduce you to the activities of the Bulgarians here”.  In her letter she tells that she listens daily to our broadcasts and thus feels our country ever closer.

Hugo Longhi from Argentina congratulates us on the election of Director General of the BNR Valery Todorov as vice president of Euranet + and adds: "I hope his management is successful and he would be able to create conditions that are beneficial to our beloved Radio Bulgaria."

His compatriot Claudio Martijena says his favorite features are the Balkan news and the overview of the cultural news briefs on Friday. "As always, these are very comprehensive. You offer me news from the Balkan countries, which can only be heard on Radio Bulgaria, as well as information about various cultural events in your country. For lovers of football it was of great interest to read you article on the sports career of Lyuboslav Penev and to trace his life's destiny. "

According to Nelcy Remedy Bidart from Brazil, Radio Bulgaria is one of the best in the world and enjoys the recognition of its listeners: "I love Radio Bulgaria because of its good programs and the friendly attitude of the people working there."

Mireia Linares from Spain had read in our website the article about the book "In the name of the great goal" of our champion in rhythmic gymnastics Bianka Panova. Ms. Linares also shows interest in whether it will be translated into English, Spanish or Italian, and whether it will be released outside Bulgaria. "

"We continue to monitor your programs, especially the news aimed at the Arab world", says Aziz Ben Salem from Tunisia. "I find that you provide objective information about world events as well as public life in Bulgaria. Interesting to me are also the topics in history and culture. I'm glad I'm your listener. I like the illustrations and your website!"

Fouad Bell Kassem from Algeria says: "I am glad that every day I go to your website and read publications on various topics: political, economic and cultural. For me the most important topic is economy because I'm an engineer and I deal with these issues. Your sports section is also my favorite."

From the village of Zarnevo near Dobrich writes Ayse Hassan Suleiman"In recent years I loved your programs in Turkish. They are increasingly attracting my interest. Your broadcasts are a mouthpiece for our problems. You create a lot of good programs and live broadcasts. Unfortunately, our life has become so fast-paced and challenging, that there is hardly anyone who does not feel that. I think the hosts of the programs in Turkish are afraid to tackle these problems or perhaps they cannot which is why listeners themselves are not free to express their opinion."

Ilkay Erden from neighboring Turkey, said: "I thank you for not letting me alone in my grief for Bulgaria and you are interested in my letters. My letter was quoted in one of your New Year’s programs. There are many more things I could write to you: for customs, weddings, holidays, traditions, life in emigration..."

A fan of our music programs is Gerard Koopal from the Netherlands: "As I wrote, I have a great passion for classical music and jazz. Every time I feel great pleasure because your selection is always excellent."

Hans Gallasch from Germany remained strongly impressed by the material "Medicine in assistance of Bulgarian military missions around the world." "Please convey my gratitude of a German listener of Radio Bulgaria to these doctors and their assistants. May they continue in the future to help people in trouble. Thanks to the author Ilyana Raicheva and translator Vladimir Daskalov for this poignant material”, says Mr. Hans Gallasch.

From Austria we received a letter from Christian Mayer: "Although I am a shortwave listener from childhood years, I stay faithful to Radio Bulgaria. Thanks to you radio station I met kind and nice people like you from the German section, For us, shortwave listeners, internet radio is not the same, but I appreciate the fact that your radio continues after the suspension of short waves with its traditional enthusiasm to produce high-quality programs. You are still interested in your listeners and are polite in communicating with them. Your website has been enriched with new features, and the programs are available at any time."

The most popular posts in the Facebook page of the English version in February was the special program for the World Day of radio material on the anniversary of the death of Vasil Levski, radio history of Bulgarian pop song and coverage of the farewell show of the great athlete Jordan Jovtchev and materials for the Russian Church in Sofia and St. Trifon's Day celebration.

Jean-Michel Borie from Toulouse said: "We wonder why here on the French television and radio Bulgaria is mentioned very rarely. Only one news TV channel reported on the resignation of the government and your protests. It is good that you produce your daily news bulletins that I listen to every day. I love also the topics in the section Do You Know Bulgaria. Moreover, I have visited many of the sites that you describe and which I remember fondly. Tonight I will listen again to see how events are developing in Bulgaria. "

From Tokyo a letter arrived from Osamu Aikava: "Thanks very much for your interesting programs that I listen every morning with pleasure. Since my daily life is quite busy when I hear French program of Radio Bulgaria I relax and feel very happy. I hope that many more years we will be together."

“I listen to Radio Bulgaria and some other international stations and I noticed that everywhere in Europe unemployment is rising inexorably" - says Michel Minouflet  from Paris. "In France, young people are absolutely desperate. Thank you for touching upon such hot issues as thus anyone can draw a comparison with similar processes in their own country. "

In a touching letter René Pigeard from Gre-sur-Rock, France, says: "It is a very old, really old listener writing to you because this year I celebrate my 80th anniversary and I hope you will not forget me. And out of those 80, for 33 years, regardless of events and changes, I have been faithful and I still listen to you with the same interest and passion as in the early days. I never miss a single edition of your listeners’ Mailbox and I enjoy each new topic you develop. "



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