A growing number of letters sent by friends of Radio Bulgaria round the world

With each passing month, an increasing number of letters arrives in RB’s traditional and electronic mailbox. Over 1,600 friends of Radio Bulgaria wrote to us in May, sharing their impressions, comments and recommendations to our webcasts and features on our website. Nearly 400 people preferred the live contact by phone. 

Most of the letters of our compatriots abroad were dedicated to the numerous Bulgarian holidays over May. Many of them also contain the request to help them promote through Radio Bulgaria the events they organize among the Bulgarian diaspora worldwide.

Violeta Petrova, Anelia Andreeva and Stoyan Detchev, teachers at "John Atanasoff” school in Chicago, USA have written:

"On May 11, at the religious holiday of St. Cyril and Methodius, at John Atanasovff school was held a presentation entitled "we have also given something to the world - to all Slavs books to read," which has become a true celebration of Bulgarian spirituality. It was attended by many parents, teachers, and representatives from the board of directors at the school. The hall was festively decorated with portraits of the holy brothers, with colored panels, depicting the history of our alphabet. Each participant had put on his left a small heart-shaped badge painted with the colors of the Bulgarian flag. Special attention was paid to the fact that about 300 million people in the world use the Cyrillic alphabet and today it is the third script in the European Union."

Director Vasil Barkov informed us about a Bulgarian cultural event in Ukraine, which was held from 24 to 29 May, namely the Third Festival of contemporary Bulgarian cinema. 

"The idea of the festival is to promote the understanding and rapprochement of the Bulgarian and Ukrainian people through cinema and to promote Bulgarian culture among the numerous Bulgarian Diaspora in Ukraine," said Vasil Barkov, who will be guest to RB’s Russian section in mid-June.

Always very active are our compatriots in Spain, where it is the most populous Bulgarian emigrants’ community. Siyka Mudieva from the White Swallow Association in Valencia says in her letter: 

"In the Holy Spirit locality near Valencia we enjoyed native Bulgarian songs, happy people with smiling faces danced Bulgarian dances. For the first time in twelve years here I have seen so many Bulgarians in one place. This is the proper way to celebrate Saint George’s Day! A memorable day with great emotions, let's face it – there is nothing better than our own Bulgarian things. The initiative brought together several organizations of Bulgarians in Spain, and several folk ensembles. Many Bulgarians who arrived from the region and from the whole of Spain, countrymen even came from Germany, and everyone joined the dance to the sound of the familiar sounds... We created a real feast."

For another Bulgarian initiative in Spain we learn from the lines in the letter of Ralitza Tsvetanova, president of the Association "Slovo" in Madrid: 

"In the spring already for the second consecutive year now we held an international competition for drawing and literary work themed “Nature and traditions in children's art”. It brought together schools from Bulgaria and abroad named after Bulgarian enlightener Bacho Kiro. The aim of the competition is to promote the talent of Bulgarian children and to stimulate their desire for creative expression. Our association wants to engage in activities which represent Bulgarian culture, art and traditions abroad. "

The celebration of Easter put a mark on the contacts of the Russian section of RB with its friends from across the different countries of the Russian Federation who sent their greetings and wishes. According to Natalia Kolish, Radio Bulgaria in Russian language is necessary because of the many Russians who live in Bulgaria. Galina Pustoshkina also said her recently bought a house in the country and that many they very much like the people, nature and the sea. She takes great interest in how Bulgarians at home live.

One of the most active in the past month were our listeners from Germany. 

"I loved the show about the mystical Strandja Mountain, broadcast on May 16" - says Hans Martin Winner. "Of particular interest to me was the information about the cult centers and ancient gold mines around Malko Tarnovo. I personally know several idyllic villages near the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, such as Bulgari, Kosti and Brodilovo, which is located near the Veleka River. And here the flora and fauna are unique. Unfortunately, the flight of young people to the tourist centers poses a risk to the long-term survival of the villages in the sparsely populated areas. In Strandja there are not a lot of tourists, so the mountain is a real gem for nature lovers and ethnologists."

Dieter Feltes liked the show dedicated to family and family values, and the feature about the Magura cave: 

"I did not know that caves in Bulgaria have such an interesting history. In your feature, you spoke about the Magura. Is there a connection between this cave and the champagne brand "Magura"? I do not know whether it is available today on the market, but in the 1970s of last century it was sold at the seaside and was really good."

Oliver Fülla thanks for the e-card from the series dedicated to Arbanassi. 

"Thanks to your programs, I learn a lot about the history of Bulgaria. Since I am a teacher myself, I was intrigued by the show, dedicated to the two teachers, awarded the title Bulgarian woman of the year. It was very informative to hear your detailed feature in response to a listener’s question about the holding of the elections, mostly because it made clear the differences relative to our system in Germany", says Mr. Fülla.

His compatriot Stephan Mertens shares his impressions of the few shows on Radio Bulgaria: "Let me say a few words in connection with your section "Bulgaria in the German documentary sources." Your show devoted to Bulgarian cities and defining Sofia as the capital of Bulgaria was very interesting. Very informative was your show in conjunction with the opening of parliament. Very interesting was the viewpoint of the British Ambassador to Bulgaria Mr. Jonathan Allen and that he listens to the voice of the people. The more you get to know Bulgaria, the more you love her. "

Great interest in May enjoyed the broadcasts on historical subjects. Here's what says in his letter Claudio Martijena from Argentina: 

"For those interested in history, it was very enriching to hear the interview with the Dean of the Faculty of History at the Sofia University on the occasion of the April Uprising of 1876, whose purpose was to end the five centuries of Ottoman rule. I think these interviews can be very interesting for the audience, even if they apply for more recent historical events such as the Communist era and the ensuing transition period, for example. "

René Pigeard from France is wondering about the main provisions of the San Stefano peace treaty that ended the Russo-Turkish War /1877-1878/ and governed, albeit tentatively, the formation of the Third Bulgarian state after nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule. "Despite my old age, I have been a faithful listener of RB for 30 years and your warm attitude towards us, the audience, makes me every time react and take a stand on issues that regard your programs."

Faithful friend of Radio Bulgaria is also his countryman Paul Jamet:

"Time flies, fly, and I still listen with great interest. When I'm very busy, I am content with your evening news, but I like you a lot the one-hour programs, too. Yes, of course, I listen to other radio stations, but I definitely prefer yours ... Hearty, intelligently presented, with good music. "

A fan of RB is also Michel Minouflet from Paris. Moreover, he adds: "I am delighted that the French version has a new staff member, Krasimir and your staff is getting younger. I notice also that unlike previous years, today the prevailing voices are male. I really like your new photo. Your staff is very nice and talented and I'm sure Krasimir will fit easily into your editing ambitious. "

Jose Luis Corcuera Gil from Spain wrote: "I reviewed the materials posted on your website and I came across an article on the endangered sturgeon species in the Danube and its cultivation in nurseries. The article is very good and I loved the theme. I congratulate you for this material."

Among the materials most discussed in the Facebook page of the Albanian version are again those that reflect Bulgarian-Albanian relations. Over 30 members of the Friends of Radio Bulgaria page in the social network liked the interview with Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaci. 

Our friends in Albania were also interested in the feature about "Zdravec" ensemble which in early May won the International Folklore Festival in Vlora, southwestern Albania. "Congratulations! Let success always accompany folk performances of the fraternal Bulgarian people", says Grigor Thanasi. 

Regular listener from Kosovo Fadil Ribari shares on Facebook: "Even though I am far from you, I wear the shirt that you gave me with the words "Radio Bulgaria." Here in the Netherlands, people often stop me in the street and ask if I work in the radio and wish to learn more about you. Kind regards. "

For the first time since the broadcasts of Radio Bulgaria went on the internet our longtime listener from neighboring Greece Marco Tsyurtsyuris wrote to us: "I miss you very much. And not only I. The café where we gather and discuss your programs, we are still talking about you. Very few people in our village, mainly young ones, have a computer and can sometimes listen to your programs. We, the older friends of Radio Bulgaria, hope as the crisis goes away, we will be again able to listen to you on the radios."

Warm greetings to the Arab version sends Aid Aldzhazairi: "I want to assure you that the communication with you is a real pleasure. Also I congratulate you for the interesting programs that prepare."

With congratulations beings the letter of Abd al-Nasser Mohammad Rashad Camille: “Dear friends, I congratulate you for your good software and I want to express my gratitude for the efforts you are making in order to inform the Arab listener son developments that occur in your brotherly for Arab Nations country." 

Over the months many listeners of RB’s broadcasts in Turkish commented on the issue of so-called "May events" of 1989, when the Bulgarian Turks rose against the "revival process". These events led to the forced eviction of many Bulgarian Turks to Turkey. "We are Bulgarian citizens who love our country and no one can chase us from our native places. We hope that this is all left in the past and this shameful page of repression and removal of our rights is now closed. The EU is a guarantee for that”, writes a listener from the village of Velichka, near Targovishte, Yakup Dervish.

From the village of Padarino, near Omurtag, writes Hamdi Mehmedov: "Dear Radio! Through your programs, we can reach the hearts of our loved ones. All our children are abroad, unemployment and poverty forced people to seek sustenance outside the country. But you are our window through which we can send our messages to them. It is good that we have you! Thank you! "

Dear friends, thank you for visiting our website and listening to RB’s daily one-hour webcasts and new bulletins. Don’t hesitate to contact us on any questions and suggestions you might have.  The addresses for contact are english@bnr.bg and in Facebook at Radio Bulgaria English Service.