On behalf of the Head of State Rumen Radev, Iliana Iotova presented the honorary sign of the president to patron Gilles Fuchs for his support and promotion of Bulgarian culture

 

Vice President Iliana Iotova was a guest in the French city of Grasse at a gala concert marking the 145th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and France. The French audience was delighted with the talent of Bulgarian opera singers Plamena Girginova, Vera Girginova, Kiril Manolov and Mihail Mihaylov accompanied by pianist Boryana Lambreva. The concert, which was held under the patronage of UNESCO Director-General (2009-2017) Irina Bokova, was organised by the cultural association "Centre for the Arts" in Grasse . At the invitation of its chairman Gilles Fuchs, Iliana Iotova was an official guest at the concert.

 

Gilles Fuchs is a prominent philanthropist, winner of numerous international awards, who actively works to promote Bulgarian culture around the world. Fuchs has made a huge contribution to the development of the International Ballet Competition in Varna, which with its long history has set world standards.

 

Vice President Iotova presented Gilles Fuchs, on behalf of the Head of State Rumen Radev, with the President's honorary badge for his great contribution to the promotion of Bulgarian culture and dance art in Europe and around the world, as well as for his role in the development of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and France.

 

Mr Fuchs, it is an honour for me to be able to call you one of the greatest friends of my homeland Bulgaria. I am proud that a person like you works tirelessly to ensure that the rich Bulgarian culture, the immeasurable Bulgarian talent, are known to the general public, the Vice President addressed Gilles Fuchs.

 

Bulgaria is the pearl of the Balkans and I love it very much, said Fuchs. He highlighted his long-standing cooperation with the creator of the International Ballet Competition in Varna, maestro Emil Dimitrov, with whom they laid the foundation for supporting and promoting Bulgarian talents – an activity that Gilles Fuchs continues today.

 

The Vice President congratulated the patron of the concert, Irina Bokova, for her active work in creating cultural ties even after the completion of her two terms as Director-General of UNESCO - the highest position a Bulgarian has held in the UN system.

 

In her welcome address, Iotova emphasised the ancient history and rich culture of Bulgaria and its contribution to the development of the Slavic world. This year is significant for us because we are celebrating two important anniversaries – 1160 years since the adoption of Christianity by the Bulgarian people and 1170 years of the Glagolitic script – the prototype of the Slavic script, the Cyrillic script, which was born in Bulgaria, said the Vice President. Along with the program, the guests of the concert received information and access to the Bulgarian film “The Path of Light”, which tells about the significant Bulgarian role in the development of Christianity and Slavic civilisation.

 

Today, in the cathedral of Grasse, we are gathered as different people, but strongly united by the conviction that culture is the most direct path to knowledge of the other. It is the most effective antidote to the widespread opposition, hatred, and conflicts. It is the stable foundation on which relations between countries are confidently built, a foundation that vicissitudes can hardly shake, the vice president addressed the guests.

 

In her speech, she emphasised that for 145 years, Bulgaria and France have been confidently writing the history of their relations. France was among the first to recognise the Principality of Bulgaria as equal to other European countries in 1879. The ideas of the French Revolution left their mark on our national liberation movement, our Revival literature was strongly influenced by French literature, and a number of representatives of the Bulgarian intelligentsia received higher education in French schools and universities, said Iliana Iotova.

 

According to the Vice President, today Bulgaria and France are successfully developing their relations together in the European family. Our common goal is a strong Europe, without divisions. The European Union must affirm its leadership role on the international stage. To return its role to the continent that gives birth to and develops talents, makes discoveries, sets examples in the field of culture and spiritual development of the world, in upholding human rights, the great idea of freedom, equality and fraternity, Iliana Iotova pointed out.

 

She stressed that the intensive partnership between Grasse and its twin town of Kazanlak is an example of the successful bilateral relations between Bulgaria and France.