site.btaPresident Radev Meets with Representatives of Bulgarian Media Based Abroad

President Rumen Radev Monday met with representatives of Bulgarian media outlets based abroad, who had participated in the 20th World Meeting of Bulgarian Media, organized by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). The meeting took place during the closing conference of the “Europe on the Balkans: Cohesion Skills” project in Varshets.

President Radev expressed gratitude to the journalists for their efforts to maintain the connection between Bulgarian communities abroad and their homeland. Several of the journalists extended invitations for him to visit the countries they live and work in and meet with local Bulgarian communities. The President welcomed the invitations and confirmed his readiness for future meetings with Bulgarian communities abroad.

“We often say that Bulgaria extends as far as there are Bulgarians,” Radev said. “In order for this space to be spiritual, for these spiritual borders of Bulgaria to be strong and healthy, there must be a strong connection with our compatriots abroad,” he added.

He noted that is the media that preserve and strengthen that bond. The President added that Bulgarian media outlets based abroad act not only as a platform but also as a defender of the interests and concerns of Bulgarian communities. Media help unite Bulgarians around their shared culture, identity, and traditions, the head of State noted.

Maria Huseynova, editor-in-chief of the Akord Bulgarian magazine based in Azerbaijan, presented the President with a book about Azerbaijan and several issues of her magazine. She invited him to visit Baku and meet with the Bulgarian community there.

Alexander Dimitrov, editor-in-chief of GLAS PRESS in Bosilegrad, Serbia, also extended an invitation. “This could be the first visit of a Bulgarian President to our town, which is located just 110 km from Sofia and is home to more than 90% Bulgarians,” Dimitrov said. He suggested that the 10th anniversary of the BTA National Press Club in Bosilegrad later this year would be a fitting occasion.

Invitations were also extended by Denica Sekulička, editor-in-chief of the Slovakia-based Bulgarian newspaper Sanarodnik [Compatriot], Diana Glasnova, editor-in-chief of the Croatia-based magazine Rodna Rech, and Dora Kostova, editor-in-chief of the Ukraine-based newspaper Roden Krai.

The 20th World Meeting of Bulgarian Media took place in Sofia, the St Cyril and St Methodius Klisura Monastery, and the town of Varshets (Northwestern Bulgaria) on Saturday and Sunday. The event featured three discussion panels: “Culture in the Media,” “New Knowledge in the Media,“ and “Bulgarians in the 21st Century World and the Media.” The meeting was held with the support of A1, Aurubis Bulgaria, BGR Group Ltd., Geotechmin, Glavbolgarstroy Holding, Logistic Systems Ltd., the 13 centuries Bulgaria National Endowment Fund, SFA Automotive Ltd. (the official importer of Opel in Bulgaria), Postbank, Pachkov Ltd., and SOF Connect (the operator of Vasil Levski Sofia Airport).