site.btaCulture Minister Presents Singer Sylvie Vartan with Golden Century Necklace

Caretaker Minister of Culture Nayden Todorov awarded Bulgarian-French singer and actress Sylvie Vartan with the Golden Century Necklace for her contribution to the development and promotion of Bulgarian culture and national identity. The award ceremony took place in the gallery of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Paris on Tuesday, the Ministry of Culture reported on Wednesday morning.

The gallery is hosting a photographic exhibition entitled Sylvie Vartan and Her Bulgaria until January 30, 2025. Visitors will see pictures from the singer's concerts, moments from her philanthropic and charity work in the country, pictures from her childhood, as well as photos with her husband and children.

In his speech, Todorov praised Vartan's 1990 performance of the song Oblache Le Byalo (Little White Cloud), which he believes brought every Bulgarian who heard it to tears. The Minister labelled the singer "the best ambassador of Bulgarian spirit and talent". He addressed Vartan, saying: "France recognized you as its golden girl, the world recognized you as its favourite singer, but you never forgot your roots."

The Minister pointed out that thousands of Bulgarian children were given a chance to live thanks to medical equipment donated to hospitals in Bulgaria through Vartan's foundation.