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 through exchange of letters. One of the highlights of our cultural interaction is the strengthening of the Indology Department in the Sofia University and the Bulgarian studies Programme in the Delhi and Jamia Millia Islamia Universities.
Friendship Societies in Bulgaria
There are two friendship societies which are active in Bulgaria. They are involved in spread and propagation of Indian cultural activities with support from the Indian Embassy. These are Friends of India Club and East-West Indological Foundation.
Friends of India Club, Sofia
Friends of India Club was founded twelve years ago. 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 help from Indian Embassy brings out “Svetilnik” magazine which covers about different aspects of Indian culture and society. Every month with support and assistance from the Mission, the Club organizes cultural activities related to India.
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 many diverse ways and on 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.
Facets of Indian Culture in Bulgaria
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. 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. Notable amongst those present were Mrs. Evgenia Kamova from “Friends of India Club” and Mrs. Yordanka Boyanova from “East-West Foundation” and members of “Roerich Club”. 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 Anand Vardhan Sharma, 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.
A Hindi Professor on deputation from ICCR, India completed his two-year tenure in June 2006 at Indology Department of Sofia University. The new visiting Professor joined the Indology Department in October 2006. The new Bulgarian Professor is expected to join the Slavic studies Department at the Delhi University in near future.
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.
Under the CEP, two Bulgarian students attended one month Kathak course at Indira Kala Sangeet Vishvavidyala, Khairagarh, Chhatisgarh from March–April, 2004.
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.
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.
In 2000, a Bulgarian student was deputed to study Hindi at Kendriya Hindi Sansthan Agra and in 2001 two students and in 2002 & 2003, 2004 three students went to the Sansthan to pursue Hindi studies at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan Agra. At present, 4 Bulgarian students are pursuing the Hindi course since August 2005 and will complete their courses in May, 2006.
A function was organised by Indian Embassy in collaboration with “Friends of India Club” to celebrate Diwali on November 3 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.
Sports
During the visit of our Hon’ble President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to Bulgaria in October 22-24, 2003 an Agreement in the field of Youth and Sports was signed by both the sides. Under the Protocol, a provision exists for bilateral exchange of Specialists, Information and Documentation in the field of Sports. As a run-up to the Athens Olympics scheduled in August 2004.
6 free-style Indian wrestlers trained in Sofia before participating at the Athens Olympics in August 2004. World Chess Champion Vishwanathan Anand came to Sofia in January 2004 for an exhibition match with Bulgarian top player Vesselin Topalov. Anand took part in a chess tournament in May, 2005 in Sofia. Bulgarian Archery coach Ivanov Ivan Yotov coached the Indian archery team which took part in the Olympics in August 2004. Two Bulgarian officials from the Bulgarian State Agency of Youth Affairs and Sports Mr. Ivan Modev, Director General of Youth Policy Directorate and Mr. Nikolay Ivanov, Director of EU Coordination and International Activities Directorate represented Bulgaria at the National Youth Festival which took place from 13th to 17th February, 2006 in Patna.