Highlights from RB’s April Mailbox

The Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Toronto wrote to us: “On April 11 at the Papermill Art Gallery in Toronto, Canada, the third edition of Bulgarian Arts Festival in Canada was launched. For 10 days, the guests on it had the opportunity to study the works of Bulgarian artists living in Toronto, as well as to enjoy the performances of a newly-established Orthodox choir. There was the premiere of the documentary "The city and its soloists", dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Sofia Soloists orchestra. For the younger visitors there was also an evening of Bulgarian rock music. Special guest at this year's festival was the jazz singer Yildiz İbrahimova. Her concert was held under the applause of the audience."

For events related to Palm Sunday we were informed by Nevyana Atanasova, a professor at the Sunday group "Azbukarche" of the Bulgarian school at the Embassy of Bulgaria in London. “The holiday passed in the spirit of Bulgarian traditions respecting the folk customs of Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday which merged with the celebration of the events of Holy Week and Easter as its climax. That's how we spend the holidays - in the Bulgarian way. Always with our songs and dances, our traditions ... so we're still friends, still Bulgarians ", Nevyana Anastasova concludes her letter.

With pleasure and delight the children of the First Bulgarian Sunday School in Valencia, Spain, this year have also tried to revive the customs associated with significant dates on the calendar of the Orthodox Christians - Palm Sunday and Easter. "Our students come from all over the country, telling about the unique and colorful heritage of folk customs. The kids shared about the various techniques used in the painting of eggs and kneading cakes. In Spain, our students live with Bulgarian spirit in mind and heart," writes in her letter Pepa Zlateva from the Vasil Levski school.

Vasya Valentino from the Bulgaria NOW newspaper in San Diego, USA, writes: "Many Bulgarians attended the concerts of Orlin Goranov and Kristina Dimitrova in California. We felt like coming home ... I went back to my fondest memories of the heydays of youth. That is, after 30 years of walking away from my Bulgarian childhood in America, from the other side of the Earth, I'm back with my favorite pop stars and their songs, which again I feel like some ancient magic of the Land of Orpheus coming back ... in the fondest memories of the golden age of youth. At the end of the concert everyone was singing familiar tunes... Sometimes I explain to my American and also Bulgarian friends that we, the heirs of the high civilizations that created the sources of today's civilization, we know that in life we work to live, we don’t live to work ... And the art of song and dance, poetry and beauty will save the world from the attempts to transform is into robots without feelings and dreams. The music is the best highway in which we and the future generations move towards a full mental, not just physical, life ..."

RB’s listener and friend James Obrien from Cardiff, Wales wrote to us: “Hello Radio Bulgaria, I caught a listen to your online program this evening that was as always full with some very interesting topics from your country.On events and developments I heard about the growing number of Some Bulgarians who are looking to seek employment in neighbouring countries that mainly touched on Cyprus.Here in the UK recently in the news it is said that from 2014 Bulgarians and Romanians also gain the right to live and work here which will give another opportunity for Bulgarians looking to pursue work abroad. What followed on from this was a very upbeat rock sounding song of the day called all alone. Then your nature and environment segment regarding the very high levels of noise and dust particularly in some of your major cities with coal burning, transport and industry being some of the main cause for concern for this issue. I would imagine that Sofia being the capital would more than likely be the busiest and therefore properly suffer the most as well as would my extremely bad hay fever if I were to pay you a visit. Folk studio supplied a very satisfying insight into the history of the music along with the various traditional pieces that you played right up till the end of you broadcast which was a pleasant listen indeed. To you all there at the RB HQ who work so hard in Sofia to put together such programmes for your listeners your work is highly commendable an appreciated. All the very best and will be in touch soon!"
From another friend in Great Britain, Alan Roe, we received the following letter: “Hi It's been a little while since I last wrote to you, so thought that it's time to put that right. I'd like to thank you again for some excellent programmes once again. I just downloaded a couple of days ago the double-bill of History Club programmes produced on 2 May. Both very interesting programmes: the first looking at the April 1876 uprising which, although a failure in itself, provided the foundation for the liberation of Bulgaria against Ottoman rule. Fascinating programme. And then the second programme about Boris the first. I loved the opening "One of the greatest Bulgarian rulers, Boris 1st is *not* famous for his victories on the battlefield as he lost almost all wars he engaged in ...". A great opening hook which meant that I just had to keep listening to find out why, if not for any victories, he *was* famous. Perhaps a future edition could look at some of the wars that he lost?

This was followed buy a very enjoyable Folk Studio - about the meaning of the painted egg in Orthodox Christian religion accompanied by some very enjoyable music. When we visited Ukraine some years ago, we visited an Ethnographic museum where a demonstration of egg painting was being given. We bought one as a souvenir, and get it out at Christmas time as a Christmas decoration (we don't really do Easter decorations), so it was interesting to learn more about the meaning of the painted egg.

I also downloaded and enjoyed the compilation programme of Easter music from 5 May - which I listened to whilst on the train over the weekend on my MP3 player.

I do find it a little difficult at times to simply download a programme from your website for later listening - the website is mostly geared towards listening on-line. Perhaps sometime when time and budget allows, you could get your webpages updated to include a simple download link in addition to the listen-now link for each programme.

Anyway, that's all for now with my best wishes to everyone at Radio Bulgaria”

“I love to follow your section" Tourism ", mainly because it introduces us to new and unknown to the general tourist attractions”, writes Hans Martin Winner from Germany. “Especially valuable to me in this regard were the features about Lozen Mountain and Berkovitsa Balkan. I was surprised by the fact that the area of Berkovica has thermal springs, and that the city has a museum of Ivan Vazov who once lived there. One of Vazov’s travelogues Along the paths of the Rhodopes translated in German is one of my favorite readings. And your programs arouse in me further a desire to visit these places. Given the dire economic situation of the Bulgarian population it is admirable that there are still initiatives such as Ivo Ivanchev’s one, about protecting turtles. Similar efforts to protect the Bulgarian fauna deserve immense respect, all the more that these animals are threatened with extinction globally."

Oliver Fülla from Germany says he likes to listen to our broadcasts about folk customs. "It was interesting also to listen to the feature about the different parties in Bulgaria. I look forward to the development of the Euranet Plus project after the end of Euranet."

Stephan Mertens from German says: "I want to thank you for the critical, very appropriate and interesting description of the current problems in your last show" Mystery & Suspense". I just cannot figure out why because of savings from now on it will be broadcast only once every two months. It is very very sad to shorten programs for this reason. The decision to save money by stopping your programs on shortwave may have been motivated by financial reasons, but to reduce or cut shows is a signal in the wrong direction, not only for me but for the rest of your loyal listeners who have experienced severe enough the suspension of the shortwave programs. Thank you for your very good work! "

From France writes Jean-Yves Auclair: "I am one of your oldest listeners, even when you were Radio Sofia, but since you stopped the short wave I stopped listening to you. Some time ago I decided to visit your site and restore our old relationship. Yes, I again intend to listen to you.”

Michel Minouflet from France shares his views on what he heard in the Mailbox program: "I listen to it with great pleasure. It answered my question about the most common first names of Bulgarian children and I am delighted with the response and I thank you most warmly. I want to express my gratitude to the entire team of the French version, which works flawlessly and is really dedicated. When people hear your voices, they really feel better ... the program of the French version are extremely rich and diverse topics and I cannot help thinking with some sadness for those of your former listeners who do not have Internet, and unfortunately had to break their ties with you and Bulgaria."

Paul Jamet from Arzhantyoy, France, thanks the editorial staff about the interesting programs that reveal the advantages of the Internet. "You can listen when you want, at whatever time you want, without thinking about the clock. In any case, I stick with your evening news every day! "

From Gre-sur-Rock, in France, writes René Pigeard: "Anyway, with resistance or not, we got used to your programs on the Internet and it is because for years we have had the warmest and friendly feelings towards you and towards Bulgaria. Attachment that results from short waves, still let's face it. Our only concern now is not to see RB with the fate of Radio Moldova which first stopped broadcasting on shortwave, but after a few months on the Internet, it was gone and it just does not exist. So do not leave us. "

"It was very interesting and appealing for me to listen to a feature on the upcoming tourist season in the Bulgarian coastal cities, says Claudio Martijena from Argentina, on the occasion of our programs 1, 2 and 3 April. I had no idea that cities like Bourgas and others along the coast receive such a significant flow of European tourists. It is also clear that this is a viable alternative for South Americans because of the lower prices than traditional tourist services in most other European countries offer. This is an opportunity for travel, worth considering."

And yes, here is the place to say that the summer tourist season has already started in some places here quite some time ago in early May, and today it is officially kicking in some mountain resorts such as Borovets, the place we told you about in RB’s quiz last year.

A whole bunch of events have been prepared by tourist sector organizations there with most of them focusing on activities suitable for children as it is June 1, International Children’s Day.
Claudio Martijena from Argentina continues: “On the occasion of the introduction of a tax on bank interest, which however does not affect the growth of deposits in Bulgarian banks and the lack of interest on the part of citizens to other opportunities to invest their savings, the following questions arise in me: Is the capital market in Bulgaria well developed, what is the approximate number of companies traded on the stock exchange in Bulgaria, do Bulgarians possess the necessary sources of information, and the knowledge that would allow them to choose other investment alternatives?"

And here is the place to say that a special feature on stock exchange and Bulgarian companies listed there will be coming up in June.

Hugo Longhi from Argentina thanked for the attention given to his letters in the section "Mailbox". "It's really nice to be convinced that you are still part of the circle of friends of the Spanish version of Radio Bulgaria. I like to pay attention to the small and large details of the Bulgarian daily life. For example, you mentioned that each year the number of road accidents in Bulgaria reduces. In my country, it is quite the opposite. Both countries have taken steps in this direction, however the difference is that the Bulgarians observe them and Argentines do not. I liked the feature about pianist Maria Martynova. I had not heard of her before, of course I paid special attention to her love of tango and the career that she builds around it. I hope to one day visit Argentina with her band and show us her talent. It'll be interesting to see something so typically local and ours in the rendition of a Bulgarian musician. A very nice material. "

From Spain writes Jose Jose Luis Corcuera Gil:
"I suppose you've noticed that a lot of listeners who regularly tuned to Radio Bulgaria, are no longer writing. The reason is that people in older age in most cases are not interested in new technologies. I remember a visit to Bulgaria and there are many things that I will never forget: the walks in the Pirin and Rila, the stories of the Ottoman rule and the struggle for freedom of revolutionaries Vasil Levski and Hristo Botev and so many other things. I have already told you that when I meet a Bulgarian, they are surprised by my knowledge of your country. Some have told me that they met Spaniards who did not even know that Bulgaria is in Europe. I browse regularly through your website and I see that as always you take good care to update the information and offer pictures to illustrate the news reports or news. I saw an interesting item about the new bubble of agricultural land. It seems people do not learn their lesson after the real estate bubble and it is now time to speculate with farmland, too. I found very interesting the show dedicated to fire in the Bulgarian traditions and folklore. In Spain, we don’t have many traditions left associated with fire, the most famous are the bonfires that are lit on the night of San Juan (24 June)."

Laura Zoraya Valdés Ramos from Mexico thanks for the martenitsa and the wishes: "With great pleasure I received your letter in which you send me a martenitza accompanied by wishes for peace, prosperity and health. You have no idea how grateful me and my family are for those wonderful wishes. I am also happy that you remember me. I am infinitely glad to receive news from you."

In our profile on Facebook Ricardo Adrian Calvo Aly from Chile, wrote: "I lived in Bulgaria from 1965 to 1969 and keep good memories of your country. I wish I can go back, although it has changed a lot. Anyway, I don’t lose hope, even though I'm old. The situation in Bulgaria is worrying, I never imagined it would happen like that, because the changes may be for the better, and you come upon the problems experienced by developing countries in the fields of education, health and unemployment. I hope you will soon get better, for the good of the people. "

Mohamed Daouadi wrote us: "I am sending you my greetings with the warmest feelings for the team of the Radio and in particular the staff of the Arab version. Thank you for the efforts you are making every day. Through the air of your radio you managed to conquer our hearts. I am writing for the first time, although I listen for six years and with my humble letter I want to thank you for your useful programs, especially those related to Bulgaria."

An interesting letter arrived from Alex Fitzios from Greece who gives us information on the frequency 576 khz, at which program "Horizont" can be heard with very good quality at least in northwestern Greece. Unfortunately he does not understand what is being said, not knowing Bulgarian.

During the period of our page on Facebook "Friends of Radio Bulgaria" was joined by new members from the Gorani community in Albania. These are Çajup Uka and Eldar Hajredini. The latter writes: "Hello, friends of Radio Bulgaria! You are really great. I listen to you often. You are my favorite radio. I enjoy your work. Success! Thank you from the heart. It gives me great pleasure to be a member of this group on Facebook."

Congratulations on holidays and best wishes for a beautiful spring days we received also from our regular listener Fadil Ribari from Kosovo.

Natalia Zabolotna from Ukraine was strongly impressed by the material for balloons and Orlina Asparuhova - the first and only female balloon pilot in Bulgaria. "I can only imagine what she feels when she looks at the earth and the sky from the balloon. A determination and skill to manage it are worthy of respect. "

From Istanbul, Turkey, Kemal Gyursoy wrote to us. "I haven’t written in a long time byt my interest in your programs has not diminished. I am very glad that I found you. You gave me light and knowledge. My love for Bulgaria is even greater because of your shows, I watch over the Internet. I happened to find a photo posted on your website under the title "The magic of the Rhodopes." When I saw the picture, the first thing I thought was to copy it on my page on Facebook so that my friends could see it. Be healthy, happy and filled with love! "

"My grandmother does not miss any of your shows. She listens to you morning, noon and night. You are the joy and solace of my beloved grandmother. It is the fortress of our family", writes to us Anche Vedatova Halilova from the village of Sushina, Vurbitsa municipality, Shumen.

Ebazer Yusuf Mehmet from the village of Takach, near Kaolinovo enjoys the spring. "Everywhere nature wakes up, carries the aroma of flowers, the voices of birds ... I want to focus on a very important issue - the secret of health and longevity. It is three things that we need for longevity - green vegetation, running water and a lot of smiling faces." Later in his letter the listener lists the names of medicinal herbs, fruits and vegetables. In conclusion, he says he hopes to be helpful with his advice to our audience."

Dear friends, thank you for listening to our webcasts and visiting our website! Do feel free to share what you think, what you like or don’t like, which topics are of interest and would like to see covered in our daily features or in our mailbag program.

Also, don’t forget to write to us on any questions you might have - we are here waiting for your voices at english@bnr.bg and also in Facebook at Radio Bulgaria English Service!

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Highlights from RB’s April Mailbox

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