Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Bulgaria in Ukraine Dimitar VLADIMIROV: “INTERTWINED FATES OF OUR NATIONS CAN BE RETRACED FROM DISTANT PAST”

Every year on the 1st of March with great constancy Bulgarians pin so-called “martenica” – a little interlacement of white and red threads in bright tracery with a heart or a flower - to their clothes. Such tradition has been well-known only in Bulgaria for a long time. Although it is respected by all Bulgarians throughout the country, but most attention is paid to it by peasants – probably, it is them, who go through biggest difficulties in the epoch of changes at all times. That is why from times immemorial local peasants decorate even animals in their farmsteads with red and white threads of “martenica”: this serves evidence and hope that new spring, new changes in nature will bring joy and prosperity into the house.

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Bulgaria in Ukraine Dimitar Vladimirov

How popular is this tradition in present-day Bulgaria? How beloved by Bulgarians is “Martenica” on the recurrent turn of history of their country, in these years of big changes? Our conversation with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Bulgaria in Ukraine Dimitar VLADIMIROV started from these questions.

— The 1st of March is our ancient and favorite holiday, – Dimitar Vladimirov says. − On this day all Bulgarians, old and young, with the same joy pin “martenica” with wishes of health and wellbeing for the whole year. The tradition goes back to the times of Khan Asparuh, the founder of contemporary Bulgaria. A swallow brought him a message from his father – Khan Kubrat. It was fastened with white and red threads. By the way, I think many Ukrainians must be aware that Khan Kubrat`s grave is located on Ukrainian land in the village Malaya Pereschepina of Poltava region.

According to folk superstition, red color is the symbol of the sun and it gives strength to everything alive. In Bulgarian folk art red color is also considered to be means of defense from illnesses. And white color foreshadows long life and fertility. This “martenica” tradition has survived trial by time from that old time till today. The 1st of March still remains the favorite holiday for every Bulgarian. Beginning of spring and beginning of flourishing of new life are celebrated on this day.

Although, let`s not forget that similar holiday is celebrated in some other Slavic countries.

— Mr. Ambassador, how do Bulgarians and their children live today? Are they satisfied with the pace and the way they keep moving towards their independent prosperity?

— Answering this question, I would like to note that the main reason for Bulgarians` striving to become a full member of the European Union and the NATO is the fact that we take membership in these organizations as engine of modernization of our country and society. Since the European Union is a special model of social development, which has successfully gone over ever-lasting contradictions between member-countries and provided them with enviable prosperity nowadays.

The difficult process of joining European and Euro Atlantic structures demanded fundamental reforms in all spheres of social, political and economic life of the state. Those reforms were not always easy to manage for us. But the very preparation for the country`s joining the European Union, helped us to reach macroeconomic stability and stable economical growth, decrease level of unemployment and raise the level of life of population. Unfortunately, the world financial crisis involved Bulgaria too and now our country is going through a number of its negative consequences: abridged consumption, reduction of investments, growth of budget deficit and so on. But our financial discipline and economic growth in past years enable us to meet current difficulties more confidently and overcome challenges of the complicated economic situation in the world, including the European Union.

— Apparently, Bulgaria has been making confident and verified steps in its development lately. Unprecedented microeconomic stabilization of the country became the result of it; Bulgaria established itself as full member of the EU…

— It is true, after joining the European Union, citizens of our country became part of the zone of peace, stability, safety and prosperity, where high standards in the field of environment, health-care, food and social policy are established. Each Bulgarian has the freedom of travel, work (in some countries of European Union after a certain probation period), ability to live and study in any country of the European Union, develop private business and use systems of social maintenance.

Besides, membership in the EU had positive effect on Bulgarian economics and gives substantial advantages from the point of view of competitive ability of Bulgarian companies. For example, all customs dues for trade within the European Union have been cancelled. It enabled enterprises to decrease their expenses and speed up movement of goods across the border. Actually, borders with their post controls do not exist any longer. Any citizen of Bulgaria can move around the European Union without a passport, with an ID document (Internal passport).

Among microeconomic factors of influence of membership in the EU I can mention the following ones: increase of direct foreign investments, which is the consequence of high trust from the side of business, improvement of transport infrastructure in long-term outlook, growth of competitive ability and development of innovative technologies and access to European funds, of course. During the period from 2007 till 2013 Bulgaria can get about 7 million Euros for development of its infrastructure, agriculture, environmental projects, regional development and so on.

As to our bilateral relations with Ukraine, I would like to emphasize that traditionally they have been warm and friendly. I`m proud to mention that relations between our countries have been developing at an ever increasing rate lately, positive dynamics in all spheres of cooperation can be observed: political, economic, cultural. Due to active political dialogue both at the highest and work level there have been no unsolved political matters between our two countries for all the 19 years of cooperation. Both sides declare their desire to maintain active cooperation and dynamically develop their relations in all spheres of mutual interest.

I believe that common foreign-policy priorities of our countries, such as Bulgaria`s membership in the European Union and Ukraine`s desire to integrate into it, unite us and broaden opportunities for cooperation. For example, economic cooperation between our countries has been showing stable tendency to activation during the last years. And the expected creation of Free Trade Zone between Ukraine and the European Union, which is between Ukraine and Bulgaria as well, will give more opportunities for activation of our trade contacts.

— Romantic legends about the rose valley are one of spiritual treasuries of Bulgaria. But “Bulgarian Rose” is a world brand. Here are words of a poet about it:

Вземи във тохи хубав ден
Една българска роза от мен –
Нека тя да ти разкаже
С ароматния си глас
За Балкана, за морето
И за всички нас.

How needed are nice stories from “Kazanlik” in succession of generations? What is the role of “Bulgarian rose” as a product of perfume industry in current relations between Bulgaria and Ukraine?

— Oil rose, rose oil turned into the symbol of our country long ago. Rose is pride and fame of Bulgaria. Thanks to it, foreigners call our country “rosarium”, “the country of roses”. In botany about 7000 kinds of roses are known, only 200 of which are oil. In botany such rose is known under the name of “damask rose”.

“Damask Rose” used to be grown only in Kazanlik Valley in Bulgaria, where there are favorable ground and climatic conditions for it. Nowadays rose from this valley is cultivated in many countries, in particular in Greece, Cyprus, USA (California). It is also grown in India, Iran, Turkey, Morocco, France and Germany for industrial needs. But nowhere else it gives such precious oil as in the Rose Valley.

Rose oil is the “liquid gold” of our country. About a liter of aromatic liquid is derived from three tons of red or six tons of white petals. And growing of roses takes so much work, care and attention. That`s why a kilo of Bulgarian Rose oil costs 2,5 times as much as a kilo of pure gold.

Oil rose is widely used in perfumery. Bulgarian cosmetic industry is well-developed and has traditions of many years. Today our cosmetic products hold the greatest part of Bulgarian export to the CIS countries and to Ukraine, in particular. Rose oil forms the biggest part of those exported products. Our cosmetic gradually returns its former positions in Ukraine due to its high quality and acceptable prices.

— The book of collected stories “Jokes of Gabrovo” was presented to me by my Bulgarian friends long ago and a saw a tailless cat with my own eyes, walking about streets of Gabrovo.

However, I am more concerned with the question what effect the merry stories about stinginess of residents of Gabrovo, created by them personally, have on their liberal relations with equally merry and witty Ukrainian sister-city of Gabrovo – Odessa?

— That`s right, it is a well-known fact that Gabrovo is Bulgarian capital of humor. Residents of Gabrovo have a slogan: “The World survived because it kept laughing”. They can economize and bargain, since thrift is in their nature. They know how to get something out of nothing – the priceless experience of their ancestors. In case of crisis, they use their sense of humor, since there is nothing else they can do. Numerous funny stories about this most stingy and witty part of Bulgarian people are told. It was them, who created the phenomenon of “Humor of Gabrovo”, which is alive and flourishing today.

For example, they say that Gabrovo citizens cut off cats` tails to let the door close quicker after them and keep warmth inside a house. That is why a tailless black cat became the symbol of Gabrovo long ago. Thousands of anecdotes about stinginess of the townsmen have been created. There is the House of Humor and Satire, where jokes, merrymaking and carnivals are honored. For over 35 years, International Biannual Festival of Humor and Satire in Art with participation of more than 170 countries, including Ukraine, is organized.

I think that connection between Gabrovo and Odessa is logical. Odessa, like its Bulgarian sister-city, is known for its specific sense of humor. But for some reason, an association agreement between these two cities has not been signed yet. Such an idea would surely be an interesting initiative, worth considering. As we know Odessa maintains active contacts with Varna – Bulgaria`s biggest Black Sea city.

— Let`s remember that first Bulgarian settlers appeared on the territory of present-day Odessa region in the middle of the 18th century, fleeing from persecutions of the authorities of Ottoman Empire…

— That`s right, the biggest in the world Bulgarian Diaspora – over 200 thousand people − has lived on the territory of present-day Ukraine for more than 200 years. Ethnic Bulgarians, who have kept their language, traditions and customs till present time, being decent citizens of Ukraine at the same time, are one of the most firm bridges, which connect our two countries and determine importance of bilateral relations.

It is a well-known fact that Association of Bulgarians exists and actively functions in Ukraine. It includes over 100 regional and district organizations. Bulgarians are very active in their cultural, social and educational activity here. Every year they organize a number of events, connected with Bulgarian holidays, hold folklore gatherings, open monuments to their outstanding countrymen. Bulgarian language and history of our country are optionally studied at the classical school of the town of Bolgrad in Odessa region and in the Primorsk lyceum. Due to the ratified bilateral protocol, Bulgaria has been accepting Ukrainian citizens of Bulgarian origin for free studying at higher educational establishments. After getting a diploma, many of them return to their motherland as qualified specialists and work successfully for the benefit of Ukraine.

In other words, connection between Bulgarians, living on the territory of Bulgaria and those, who are citizens of Ukraine, is rather strong. For example, our Embassy maintains tight relations with the Association of Bulgarians in Ukraine and with other organizations of ethnic Bulgarians. Work with Bulgarian Diasporas abroad is one of the priorities of our Government. In its turn, attitude to Bulgarians in Ukraine is special and reverent. And this must be natural, since the complicated history of our people is reflected in life of every Bulgarian family that settled on the land of Bessarabia 200 years ago.

— How active is the role of Bulgarian Diaspora in implementing European standards in protection of rights of national minorities in Ukraine? In your opinion, how effective is support of such initiatives by Ukrainian side?

— As I have mentioned, Bulgarian Diaspora in Ukraine is very active in its social activity. And it has its own rather strong organization, which represents and protects rights of every Bulgarian in Ukraine. For 15 years the Association of Bulgarians in Ukraine has been running purposeful activity in consolidation of Bulgarian Diaspora, revival and development of its native language, familiarizing of young generation with cultural and historical values of Bulgarian people. Naturally, part of the Association`s activity is dedicated to establishment of European standards in realization of rights of national minorities in Ukraine, for example implementation of European Chart of Regional Languages, ratified by Ukraine in 2003.

Bulgarians are the sixth in number national community in Ukraine. Its multiplicity and activity provide it with good opportunity to stand for its right for national self-identification, use of native language and traditions. That is the way Bulgarians contribute to realization of rights of national minorities in Ukraine.

Here I should mention that Bulgaria has always noted that there were favorable conditions for preservation and enrichment of national identity of ethnic Bulgarians in Ukraine. And we are very grateful to your country for that.

— Do Ukrainian Bulgarians wish to return to their historical motherland? How strong is their aspiration for unity, established in the agreement about consolidation of Bulgaria, which is steadily celebrated in September every year?

— I have been working in Ukraine for over 8 years. During all this time I have been maintaining tight communication with ethnic Bulgarians, so I am familiar with their activity, problems and strivings. So I can confidently state that Bulgarians in Ukraine have strong emotional connection with their historical motherland, they are proud of their roots and origin, history and culture.

They often visit Bulgaria, especially places, where their ancestors used to live. Here is one of numerous examples. Descendants of the first settlers from Bulgaria − natives of Bulgarian town Alfatar − live in the village Olshanka of Kirovograd region. At present time Olshanka and Alfatar maintain tight friendly connection.

Speaking about strong connections of Bulgarians in Ukraine with their historical motherland, we shouldn`t forget that they love their present motherland, Ukraine, very much. I believe many of them want to live and work here, develop their country, raise their region. You know, in the 90th years of the last century many Bulgarians immigrated to countries of Western Europe and USA, searching for better life. Since the situation in the country was very difficult then. Today the opposite tendency can be observed: some immigrants return to their native regions. Because every Bulgarian, no matter how good and prosperous life he has in another country, dreams to return to his motherland sooner or later. Actually, I think all people have the same feelings, despite their nationality.

— What place in Bulgarian present-day history is occupied by people, who can be called liberators on the way of their nation to independence and who pertain to Ukraine in some way or another – for example, such as the classic of Bulgarian literature Ivan Vazov, who lived in Odessa and wrote his best novel “Under the Yoke” there or the first rector of the University of Sophia Teodor Balan, who was also born near Odessa?

— As known, the first Bulgarian state was founded in the distant 681. Bulgarians remember it very well as well as their ancient history and culture. For over 1300 years of its existence Bulgaria has given the world many of its outstanding sons and daughters, who made great contribution to the history, literature and art of their native land. I think it will be interesting for your readers to learn that not only the famous names of Ivan Vazov and Teodor Balan were connected with Ukraine. Bulgarian revolutionary and national hero Angel Kunchev, Bulgarian Prime Minister Aleksandr Malinov, our generals Danail Nikolaev, Olimpiy Panov and many others used to be pupils of the Bolgrad classic school. The famous poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev lived and worked in Odessa.

As a matter of fact, intertwined fates of our nations can be retraced from distant past. Roots of present warm bilateral relations go back to the times of Kievan Rus and the First Bulgarian Kingdom, to the times of Christianization and spreading of Slavic written language on the territory of present-day Bulgaria and Ukraine.

— Rilski Monastery is a sacred place of the Christian Church. How strong is its influence on current revival of national and creation of new sacred places and centers of Bulgaria?

— Rilski Monastery is the eternal spiritual symbol of Bulgaria. Created in 30th years of the 10th century by Bulgarian monk – hermit Ioan Rilski, it has turned into the cradle of Bulgarian self-identification at the times of Byzantine and Ottoman slavery.

Putting the Monastery on the list of the World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 1983 is the bright evidence of international recognition of its historical, cultural and art value.

Today Rilski Monastery is an educational, cultural and touristic center, which has an important mission – raising current and future generations in the spirit of deep humanism and continuing the mission of the Monastery, created by the Bulgarian Saint Ioan Rilski.

If we draw a parallel with Ukraine, Kiev Pechersk Lavra is your Saint Cloister of the same importance. I think that such symbols as Rilski Monastery and Kiev Pechersk Lavra should always remind us that we have single faith, which teaches to love and respect one`s neighbor, encourages unity of our nations and their spiritual growth.

Media Center of “Prime Excursion Bureau”.

August 2010.