Bulgarian Concert at UNESCO Marks 30 Years of Bulgaria in International Organization of La Francophonie

Dimitrina Solakova

Vice President Iliana Iotova addressing the audience of the Bulgarian concert at UNESCO headquarters, Paris, Dec. 11, 2023 (President's Administration Photo)

Sofia,

12.12.2023 10:51

(BTA)

A concert-show of Bulgarian performers dedicated to Edith Piaf took place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Monday evening on the occasion of 30 years since Bulgaria joined the International Organization of La Francophonie. The event was held under the auspices of Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova, Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel, and the French National Commission for UNESCO, the head of State's press secretariat reported Tuesday.

The concert also marked 40 years since the inscription of the first four Bulgarian sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List and 20 years since the adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Addressing the audience, Iotova said that in today's world of hatred, division, and wars, education and culture unite us and show the way forward. "I am proud to be part of the Bulgarian people, born from the education and culture that turned Bulgaria into a spiritual empire," she noted.

Iotova described as one of the most serious choices in Bulgaria's democratic history the accession to the International Organization of La Francophonie. "I am proud that Bulgaria is the first Slavic country to join the Organization and contribute to the broadening of La Francophonie's political and regional dimensions," she noted. She expressed her belief in the power of the Francophone community - a space of not only a common language but also of shared ideas, common public and political goals, and common values such as peace, democracy, solidarity, and human rights protection. "In this turbulent world, the voice of the Organization and of all of us who share these values should be heard more loudly," Iotova underscored.

In her words, the Francophone community helps find like-minded people for daring ideas and causes. "To me, the most important cause is building knowledgeable young people, individuals with a critical view on the world, open to the various cultures. It is precisely culture that forms our identity, that connects us the most strongly. That is why we chose to dedicate this concert to the 60th death anniversary of France's symbol, Edith Piaf, to honour the sparrow with the etherial voice who belongs to the entire world," Iotova said.

UNESCO Assistant Director-General Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah too addressed the audience.

Among the audience were heirs of Edith Piaf.

The concert-show was created by Vera Chandelle and Angel Zaberski Trio. The scenography was done by Mariana Arsenova.

/DS/