Cultural

Indian culture enjoys considerable popularity in Bulgaria. In modern times, right from the days of Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Bulgaria in 1926, the Indian culture has been well received which is evident by the popularity of not only the Indian classics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedas, Upanishadas, Bhagvat Gita and Panchatantra but also such well-known modern Indian authors like Prem Chand, Mulk Raj Anand and Amrita Pritam. Some of the eminent Bulgarian poets like Hristo Botev, Hristo Smyrensky and Nikola Vaptsorar have also been widely translated to Indian languages. All these have contributed to the better understanding of each other’s culture and philosophy.

Indo-Bulgarian cultural relations have been given an institutional framework by a Cultural Agreement, which was signed in 1963. Since then our cultural interactions have continued under the framework of biennial or triennial Cultural Exchange Programmes. So far, we have signed 14 CEPs and the last one was signed in September 2001. The last CEP signed for 2001-2003 has been extended to 2004 or till such time as new CEP is signed between the two sides.

In Bulgaria, there are sizeable numbers of Bulgarians who are extremely close and friendly towards India. There are several institutions/organizations connected with India who are involved in promoting Indian culture, Indian music and dance, Ayurveda, Yoga etc. These are the two Friendship Societies namely ‘Friends of India Club” and East-West Indological Foundation’; Indology Department in Sofia University and two schools named after our former Prime Minister Late Smt. Indira Gandhi – Indira Gandhi High School in Sofia and Indira Gandhi Kindergarten in Pravetz. There are about 1200 students in Indira Gandhi High School where Hindi is also taught to students from Grade IX-XII. The Mission maintains close contacts with these institutions/organizations and organizes various activities with their support like the World Hindi Day which is being celebrated since 2006.

As a part of the Centre for Eastern Languages and Cultures, Sofia University has an Indology Department, which, since 1983, has been conducting courses at graduation and post-graduation levels. There is a visiting chair for a Professor of Hindi from India in the Indology Department of Sofia University and similarly in the Delhi / Jamia Millia Islamia Universities for a Professor of Bulgarian language. Bulgarian students from the Indology department of Sofia University have been going to Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra in India for pursuing a one-year course in Hindi under scholarships provided by the Ministry of Culture and covered under the Cultural Exchange Programme between the two countries. The following table shows the number of students who have availed of this Course in recent years :

Years	No. of Students
2000-01	1
2001-02	2
2002-03	3
2003-04	3
2004-05	3
2005-06	4
2006-07	4
2007-08	6
2008-09	4

  Friendship Societies in Bulgaria

There are two friendship societies which are active in Bulgaria. They are involved in spread and propagation of Indian culture through organization of cultural activities with support from the Indian Embassy. These are Friends of India Club and East-West Indological Foundation. Both the Friendship Societies receive an annual Grant-in-aid from the Ministry of Culture of India.

   Friends of India Club

Friends of India Club was founded in 1993. There are at present 560 Bulgarian members who are from all fields of life: writers, scholars, diplomats, artists, journalists, and musicians. The main purpose of the Club is to acquaint the Bulgarian public with the cultural and human values from India. The Club with the help of Indian Embassy brings out “Svetilnik” magazine annually which covers different aspects of Indian culture and society. Every month with support and assistance from the Mission, the Club organizes cultural activities related to India.
To become a member of the Friends of India Club, contact email address - fic1991@abv.bg

   East-West Indological Foundation

East-West Indological Foundation was established in 1997. The main objective of the Foundation is to promote the implementation of Indology in diverse ways and at different levels. The Foundation supports and stimulates the development of Indology at Sofia University. Up to now, several projects, such as creation of Hindi-Bulgarian Electronic Dictionary, translation of short stories of several Hindi writers from Hindi to Bulgarian, publication of these translations, etc., have been conducted and funded by the Foundation. The Foundation also is active in supporting cultural troupes from India and has been instrumental in organizing cultural shows in Bulgaria.

  Facets of Indian Culture in Bulgaria

The Embassy organized the Third World Hindi Day on March 20, 2008 with the cooperation of the Indology Department of Sofia University, Indira Gandhi School, Sofia and Indira Gandhi Kindergarten, Pravetz. After the official inauguration of the function by the Ambassador Shri Lal Dingliana, a DVD on “Hindi in United Nations”, which was prepared by the Ministry on the occasion of the World Hindi Conference in New York in July 2007 was screened. This was followed by an entertaining as well as educational programme amalgamating the usage of Hindi in all forms including dance performances on Bollywood songs by the students of Indology Department, Indira-Gandhi School and a local dance-troupe; a short educational skit in Hindi by the students of Indology Department; singing of Bollywood songs and poetry recitation; a Bulgarian folk-dance by the little children of Indira Gandhi Kindergarten, Pravetz (who came from Pravetz for this dance-performance only which is about 70 kms away from Sofia); Bollywood dances by local group ‘Rajunka’ and Bharatnatyam dance performances by a local dance group ‘Deepawali’. As part of the World Hindi Day celebrations, the Embassy had organized Essay-writing, Poetry-recitation and Story-writing competitions prior to the event in the Indology Department of Sofia University and the Indira Gandhi School, Sofia with their kind cooperation. The winners of the competitions were awarded cash prizes, certificates and books on Indian literature by the Ambassador. A small reception was organized after the function which included some items of Indian cuisine too.

The event received an overwhelming response and was attended by nearly 250-275 people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contacts of the Mission in different Ministries, students and faculty-members from Sofia University, members of Friends of India Club and East-West Indological Foundation apart from media persons. The event was covered in the news telecast of the Bulgarian National TV (BNT) on the next day. The function was also covered by ‘TV Zdrave’ and a documentary on the event along-with an interview of the Ambassador taken on the occasion was telecast on March 29 at 10.30 A.M local time.

(See the photographs of the event)

The Embassy organized a Lecture cum Film Show on October 2, 2007 to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which has been declared by the United Nations as the International day of Non-Violence. The event was organized at Slavyanska Besseda hall in Sofia on October 2, 2007 from 1700 hrs to 1900 hrs. Ambassador Shri Lal Dingliana welcomed the gathering and spoke on the importance and significance of the day. Dr.Violina Stoycheva Atanassova, a research scholar from the Institute of History of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and an expert on cultural and social history of modern India, gave a short lecture on the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and its relevance in the present day world. This was followed by screening of the two documentaries on Mahatma Gandhi – (i) A film on Satyagraha and (ii) Mahatma – A Great Soul of the 20th century. A small reception was organized after the film show. Around 100 people attended the event including officials from the Foreign Office and other Ministries; Vice-Rector of Sofia University; faculty members and students of Indology Department of Sofia University; members of the Friends of India Club and East-West Indological Foundation; members of the Indian community including officials from the Management Board of Kremikovtzi Steel Plant; officials of the Embassy and media-persons. The event was covered by the Bulgarian National TV and broadcasted during its Daily News on October 3, 2007.

The Embassy organised the Second World Hindi Day on March 15, 2007 at Sofia University with the kind cooperation of the Indology Department of Sofia University. The event got an overwhelming response with participation in various events by students of Indology Department; Indira Gandhi School, Sofia and Indira Gandhi Kindergarten, Pravetz. Ambassador addressed the gathering and outlined the growing popularity and usage of Hindi language in the world. Essay writing and Poetry competitions in Hindi at two levels were organized at Indology department and Indira Gandhi School respectively for which cash prizes and Indian music CDs were given to winners on the occasion. Ambassador gifted Hindi Shabd Kosh consisting of eleven volumes, five copies of Bulgarian-English Oxford Dictionaries and a set of 53 VHS cassettes comprising of episodes of the famous Indian documentary in Hindi titled “Bharat Ek khoj”. There were dance performances by students on Bollywood songs, poetry recitation and anchoring of the event in Hindi apart from Bharatnatyam and Kathak performances by two local groups. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as faculty members of Indology Deprtment as well as Indira Gandhi School and students were present on the occasion. The audience were addressed by Vice-Rector of Sofia University, Mr. Alexander Fedotoff as well as by faculty members from the Indology Department which included Visiting Associate Professor, Shri Satyakam, Mrs. Tatyana Evtimova, Associate Professor and Head of Indology Department, Galina Sokolova. The event was covered by press and it was also shown by different channels of Bulgarian Television.

On January 10, 2006, Indian Embassy with support from Indology Department of Sofia University and Indira Gandhi School, Lyulin celebrated the “World Hindi Day”. A celebratory function was held at the main auditorium of Sofia University to mark the occasion. Ambassador of India was the Chief Guest for the function. He formally inaugurated a wall magazine to be displayed in the Indology Department. This was followed by a cultural evening in which Bulgarian students from the Indology Department, Indira Gandhi School as well as local Bulgarian ballet troupe Rajunika gave outstanding performances of dance, music and poetry. Ambassador awarded prizes to the participant Bulgarian students in different competitions like poetry-recital, translation etc. On this occasion, especially with a view to promote the knowledge and effective learning of Hindi, 2 sets each of Hindi Softwares named ‘Akshar XP’ and ‘Hindi Shikshak’ were gifted by Ambassador to the Indology Department and Indira Gandhi School (Lyulin) respectively. Ambassador also presented one set each of famous Indian mythological epics – “Ramayana” and “Mahabharta” in VCD/DVD form to the Indology Department. Also 40 Hindi books of renowned authors and 40 Hindi Films in VCD form were gifted by Ambassador to the participating Bulgarian students.

Two Bulgarian scholars, Mrs Taniya Evtimova, Associate Professor and Head of the Classical East Department at the Sofia University and Ms. Nadedja Ivanova Rozova, Hindi Lecturer in Sofia University and Head of Publishing Department of East-West Indological Foundation participated at the Conference ”Continuity in Change: State of Indian Studies Abroad” in Warsaw from September 15-17, 2005. It was organised by ICCR.

A 12-Member Rajasthani Folk Dance and Music Group arranged to be sent by ICCR and led by Ms. Radha Sapera, participated in the First World Festival of Roma Music and Song at the city of Stara Zagora from 9th to 11th August, 2005. The Group won the special prize of the Board of Adjudicators for spectacular stage performance. Ten groups had entered the competitive part of the festival.

A 8 member Kuchipudi dance troupe led by Smt. Alekhya Punjala gave their performances in Sofia from June 30- July 2, 2005. The troupe performed at National Academy of Theatre and Fine Arts and at Little City Theatre. Ambassador was also present on the occasion. The show was attended by Bulgarians to a packed capacity and diplomats from Sweden, South Korea, Algeria, Indonesia, Vietnam, Greece etc. also appreciated the performances. The print and mass media have also given good coverage about the cultural troupe. The cultural troupe also gave demonstration of their art at the Theatre Academy. East-West Indological Foundation with support from the Embassy of India made arrangements for the cultural troupe.

In the year 2004, 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Indo-Bulgarian diplomatic relations was observed. Exchange of messages between the two countries took place at the level of President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Many functions were organized by the Indian Embassy with help and assistance from local Ministries and agencies. As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Indo-Bulgarian diplomatic relations, a 16 member cultural troupe from Rajasthan, AAKAR Puppet group performed in Sofia from December 15-20. The troupe performed at the “Indira Gandhi school” Lyulin in Sofia on December 16 and 17 & December 18 at "Salza i Smiah" Theatre. The cultural troupe also gave demonstrations of their art at the Theatre Academy and National Puppet Theatre. On December 10, 2004 an official function took place at the Sofia University as part of the celebration of the 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Bulgaria. Ambassador of India addressed the audience. Also present were the Deputy Foreign Minister, First Bulgarian Ambassador to India, Mr. Popov. The messages of President Parvanov, and Foreign Minister Passy were read on the occasion. Ambassador of India presented a set of 33 Hindi books as gift to the Indology Department and released the 6th annual issue of the “Svetilnik” magazine. The event was organized by Indology Department, Friends of India Club with assistance from the Indian Embassy. Selected passages from Hindi, Sanskrit and Urdu languages along with Bulgarian translation were rendered by the Bulgarian students of the Indology Department. A song and dance item was presented by the students of the Indira Gandhi School, Lyulin.On December 2, Ambassador of India released an illustrated post card with special postal seal titled “50 years of Diplomatic relations between India and Bulgaria” at the Communications Museum in the Central Post Office. The event was organized by Bulgarian Ministry of Transport and Communications and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A festival of Indian feature films was held in Sofia after a gap of more than a decade from June 25 to July 1, 2004 at the Central Cinema Hall. Three Hindi Films viz. Massey Sahib, Sarfarosh and Paar were screened.

A function was organised by Indian Embassy in collaboration with “Friends of India Club” to celebrate Diwali on November 3, 2005 at the Union of Architects Hall. On this occasion a condolence message on behalf of President Parvanov was read out in which he expressed deep sorrow on the demise of famous Indian Punjabi writer Smt. Amrita Pritam. Also present were local Indians as well as students and staff from the Indology Department of the Sofia University and members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A cultural function was organised on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the naming of the school in the memory of late PM Smt. Indira Gandhi and on the occasion of her 88th birth anniversary. Ambassador addressed the students and the staff members and gave 25 Hindi Film CDs and four copies of books “Eternal Quest” and “Wings of Fire” written by President A.P.J Abdul Kalam as gifts to the school.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Indology Department at the Sofia University, a seminar on Indian studies was organised by the University from 30 June-2 July, 2004 with wide ranging participation and more than 50 papers were presented by scholars related to the fields of Sociology, Linguistics, History, Music etc. Ambassador also addressed the audience. Messages from Bulgarian President, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Education were read.

Under the CEP, two Bulgarian students attended one month Kathak course at Indira Kala Sangeet Vishvavidyala, Khairagarh, Chhatisgarh from March–April, 2004.