"It will be interesting, it will be fun, it will be delicious - we are waiting for you!" - says the executive director of the Agency Rayna Mandzhukova in an interview for Radio Bulgaria, adding:

‎"Last year, the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad launched this initiative to organize an event that would not only gather like-minded people who know the Bessarabian Bulgarians, but would be more open to people. In 2022, we held this festival on the square for the first time, which we are still organizing now. In addition, there will be a presentation of books, the Almanac of the Rodolyubets Association but the biggest event will be on October 21 and 22 in front of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, since the Day of the Bessarabian Bulgarians coincides with the day of the local elections. On top of that, the celebration will be two days long and we will be able to present traditional cuisine, costumes, and a rich concert program - we have planned entertainment for young and old."‎

We will witness a review of folk costumes from different regions in Bulgaria, presented by the Bessarabian Bulgarian Oksana Zhelyapova, holder of the title "Mrs. Bulgaria Universe 2022". We will try Bessarabian wine and various Bulgarian traditional dishes from our communities abroad, we will enjoy a rich musical program", says Rayna Mandzhukova.

Read more:

• St. George Church in Chisinau was built with donations from Bessarabian Bulgarians
• The identity for Bessarabian Bulgarians is the most secure thing they have
• Jorge Cocicov with recognition for his study of the history of Bessarabian Bulgarians
• Folklore of Bessarabian Bulgarians inspired one of Academician Nikolay Kaufman’s significant works
• The story of Bessarabian Bulgarians who immigrated to Brazil in the early 20th century

Photos: Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, private archive

Translated and published by Rositsa Petkova