site.btaVice President Iotova Attends Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship Day Celebration in Budapest

Vice President Iliana Iotova joined Bulgarians in Hungary for a celebration of Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship Day (October 19), the President's Press Secretariat reported on Friday. On that day, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates St John of Rila.

Speaking in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St Cyril and St Methodius in Budapest, Iotova said: "In today's tough world we need to learn from the wisdom of St John of Rila and use his philosophy as a guiding light through crisis. We have a duty and a responsibility for our children: we must give them peace and a chance to grow in happiness."

The Vice President also gave the following quote from Sandor Petofi, the great Hungarian revolutionary and poet who was born 200 years ago: "If you look to the past, you can see the future like a reflection of the sky in deep water." Iotova's interpretation of the quote was: "To advance successfully together, we need to know our roots, we should want to look into the lessons of the past and learn from them, so as not to repeat past mistakes."

Discussing the history of the Bulgarian community in Hungary, Iotova said: "When the Bulgarian gardeners came here, they found barren land. In a few years, they turned it into an Eden." The guest thanked the local Bulgarian community for preserving their identity away from their homeland, and noted that they are highly respected in Hungarian society. She quoted the following words from gardener Lazar Ivanov, who set up the Association of Bulgarians in Hungary 100 years ago: "It takes more than just hard toil to build the future. We also need to believe in God and to keep our eyes open. And it is science that can open them."

Yotova went on to say: "The future lies in education, culture and spirituality. The Bulgarian people and the Bulgarian state owe their existence to writing, literature and spirituality. Our deep sense of unity has kept us strong through the centuries, regardless of where in the world we have settled."

She extended special thanks to the observer for the Bulgarian community in the Hungarian Parliament Szimeon Varga, the President of the National Self-Government of Bulgarians in Hungary Dancso Muszev and the President of the Association of Bulgarians in Hungary Dimitar Ivanov. The Vice President assured the local Bulgarian community that it can count on the support of the Bulgarian state.

Iotova also travelled to Esztergom, Northern Hungary, where the relics of St John of Rila remained for some time in the 12th century. She opened a documentary photo exhibition dubbed "The Heart of Bulgaria. Masterpieces from the Rila Monastery". The commemoration of St John of Rila was also attended by Miklos Soltesz, Hungary's Secretary of State for Churches, Minorities and Civil Affairs.