site.btaBTA Receives Congratulatons on Its 127th Anniversary from Politicians, Institutions, Scientists, Public Figures

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) received numerous congratulations on its 127th anniversary on Sunday. Politicians, representatives of institutions, scientists, and public figures sent the agency congratulatory addresses.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov sent an address congratulating BTA on 127 years since its first bulletin and on the agency's technological and material renovation. "Nowadays, BTA reaches its readers via the Internet, not by telegraph, but it continues to uphold its responsibility to protect and promote the literary Bulgarian language, national traditions and culture. In recent years, free access to BTA news and established relationships with global agencies have enabled all Bulgarian media to publish their news in Bulgarian free of charge. The basic principles enshrined in BTA's activities, such as independence, objectivity and integrity in the dissemination of information, are the sure guarantor of the agency's future development," the address reads. Zhelyazkov wishes BTA great success.

Interior Minister Daniel Mitov sent an address to BTA Director General Kiril Valchev. "Over the years, BTA has established itself as a leading information source in Bulgaria. Your issues are an example of objectivity, accuracy and timeliness. Your profession is burdened with high expectations, because to inform is both a privilege and a responsibility to society and to oneself," the address to the BTA Director General reads. "Your record of success, dedication and determination is reason enough for me to express my confidence that in the future you will continue unreservedly to invest your efforts and indomitable journalistic spirit in raising the profile of the institution you lead," the Interior Minister wrote to Valchev.

Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev wrote in his address that the BTA is the oldest national news agency, an institution of key importance for Bulgarian journalism and public awareness. "Your role in disseminating accurate and timely information is essential for the development of democratic dialogue and freedom of speech," he said. Georgiev thanked BTA for its long-standing and fruitful cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying that this collaboration is an integral part of the efforts to present Bulgaria to the international community and inform the Bulgarian public on foreign policy matters. The Foreign Minister said he is confident that BTA will continue to uphold its high standards of journalistic ethics and professionalism while expanding its presence and adapting to the challenges of the modern media landscape.

In his greetings, Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov noted the renovations at the news agency and the implementation of new technologies. He said he was happy that programmes such as Beautiful Bulgaria, initiated by the Labour and Social Policy Ministry, had contributed to the modernization of BTA's image. Gutsanov praised BTA's leadership and team for their dedication, as a public media outlet, to protect and promote the literary language and national traditions and culture. He stressed that the news agency will leave invaluable information for future generations, as well as significant lessons in maintaining high standards in Bulgarian journalism. "The times we live in are filled with challenges, but also with opportunities. Thank you for your dedication and efforts in providing accurate and reliable information, which is crucial for society and for building trust between institutions and citizens," Gutsanov said.

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov sent greetings on behalf of his Ministry. "I wish you [BTA Director General Kiril Valchev] and the entire responsible and highly motivated journalistic team of the Agency many new professional achievements," he said. "Today's celebration is a pleasant occasion to express my gratitude for our successful interaction, for the objective and thorough coverage of the problems, processes and achievements of the Bulgarian Army and the Ministry of Defence," he added. "Strict adherence to the criteria for objective journalism make BTA a benchmark for professionalism and make it an unavoidable factor in the Bulgarian media environment. Today's transformed look of the Agency, which we are witnessing, works for the positive image of Bulgaria and supports the promotion of national causes, Bulgarian culture and journalism," Zapryanov said.

In his anniversary greetings to BTA, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov stressed that the news agency provides "professional and objective coverage of topics related to the challenges facing Bulgaria's energy sector in its smooth transition towards low-carbon and competitive production, in line with the green transformation". Stankov said that Bulgaria plays a key role in the Balkans in diversifying energy supplies in the interest of security and the sector's independence. "Progress in these developments would be unthinkable without the active presence of the media, and I am confident that BTA will continue to be one of the responsible information leaders," he said.

In his congratulatory address, Youth and Sports Minister Ivan Peshev said this is a moment to reflect on the power of words and the great responsibility carried by those entrusted with them. He commended BTA's leadership and entire team for their high professionalism and the daily efforts invested in developing and shaping the news agency's modern image. The Sports Minister also said that throughout its long history, BTA has established itself as a reputable public media outlet, dedicated to providing honest and timely information, delivering news on important topics, while contributing to the formation and development of a critically thinking and active civil society.

Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) Chair Dobri Mitrev wrote to BTA: "For more than a century, BTA has been a cornerstone of Bulgarian journalism and an invaluable source of reliable and objective information. Over the years the Agency has established itself as a leading factor in informing the public, covering all significant events in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the country," he said. "The Bulgarian Industrial Association highly appreciates the professionalism and dedication of the BTA team, which strives daily to provide the audience with quality and up-to-date information. Your work is extremely important for the development of free and independent journalism in Bulgaria, as well as for the strengthening of democratic values and civil society," Mitrev added. "On this festive day, I would like to underline that BTA is not only a news agency, but also an important partner of Bulgarian business. Through its objective and in-depth reporting, the Agency helps entrepreneurs stay informed about current trends and challenges facing our economy," he said.

Kalina Ivanova, Director of the St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library, sent greetings on behalf of the institution. "At the dawn of liberated Bulgaria, the bright minds of the nation laid the foundations of two key institutions for education and culture. The first two decades after the Liberation were significant - in 1878 the first public library opened its doors and in 1898 BTA was founded. Since its establishment, BTA has consistently followed the principles of independence, objectivity and integrity, and is a benchmark for professionalism in modern journalism," she wrote.

Prof. Dr Veselina Valkanova, Dean of the Sofia University's Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, sent a congratulatory address reading: "Now that you unveil your renovated visual identity and modernized infrastructure, you assert your positions as leading professionalism and innovators. I congratulate you on the design of the new typeface inspired by the script invested by Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius. By this unique handwriting BTA will continue to safeguard the Bulgarian historical heritage and intertwine it in the future of journalism."

In an address to BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, the Rector of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, wrote: "I congratulate you on the anniversary of Bulgaria's oldest national news agency, established in 1898, which over the years has established itself as the main and most reliable source of information, steadfastly following its mission to collect and disseminate knowledge for today, to preserve the knowledge of today for tomorrow and to remind today of the knowledge of yesterday. I wish you as Director General of BTA and the entire team to continue to develop BTA as a strong national public service media, a symbol of professionalism and school of journalism, to build on the BTA's reputation as a model of independent, objective and constructive media, a leader in public trust. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the fruitful cooperation with the UNWE and for the support the BTA provides in covering the activities of the University and supporting the training of our students so that they can be competitive and meet the demands of modern journalism. I wish the whole team good health, good news to prevail and your professional zeal and alert civic conscience never to leave you!"

Congratulations came from the Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island as well, via livestream. Prof. Christo Pimpirev, head of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, and the Rector of the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Prof. Georgi Valchev, congratulated the agency from the BTA press club on Livingston Island, while Flotilla Admiral Boyan Mednikarov, RSV 421 Captain Radko Muevski and commanding officer Nikolay Danailov did the same aboard the Bulgarian naval research ship Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421). Prof. Pimpirev and Prof. Valchev extended their sincere best wishes on the occasion. They expressed their admiration for the transformation of the BTA, for the team of press clubs, including those of the Bulgarian Antarctic base and aboard RSV 421. The professors hailed the successful dissemination by BTA of the news from Bulgaria and the world to every home. After his speech, Prof. Pimpirev said that the conditions on Livingston Island are currently harsh, there is a polar storm with very heavy snowfall and wind, which necessitates the rapid movement of some of the participants of the 33rd expedition to the ship, to sail to the Drake Passage. From the BTA Press Club aboard the research ship, Flotilla Admiral Mednikarov also extended his congratulations to the BTA, thanking the agency for the wonderful media partnership in covering another expedition of RSV 421. "It is thanks to your reporters and the news pieces you have published that we have been able to follow the whole story of these campaigns. Sincere thanks and best wishes!"