Balgarianovinite.com In 2025, the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (EABA) opened a Library and Information Centre, hosted the founding of the Association of Bulgarian Cultural Organizations Abroad, and took part in meetings with representatives of Bulgarian communities outside the country.
In an interview for BTA’s BG World section, EABA Executive Director Raina Mandzhukova emphasized the importance of cultural initiatives and student competitions for strengthening ties between the diaspora and Bulgaria, spoke about the initiatives supported by the Agency over the past year, and outlined EABA’s priorities for 2026.
Below is the full text of the interview:
Ms Mandzhukova, this year you held numerous meetings with representatives of Bulgarian communities abroad. What topics and issues did they most often raise?
Every meeting is different. Communities we have worked with for years know us well, and our dialogue with them is usually constructive. We discuss upcoming initiatives, their plans and the ways in which we can be of assistance, as well as the ultimate purpose of each event.
Organizations we met for the first time in 2025 were not always familiar with EABA’s role and remit. At initial meetings, they raise a broad range of questions related to their concerns or unmet needs. This is precisely why such face-to-face discussions are essential: they allow us to clearly explain which institution is responsible for what, and whether a particular issue should be directed to the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Culture, or the EABA.
How do you manage to strike a balance between expectations during these meetings and the real capacities of the institution?
The life of Bulgarian organizations around the world is very dynamic. Balance is achieved through a clear distinction between events that are of internal importance to the community and those with a broader scope. Baba Marta (the equivalent to “Happy Spring”), Christmas, Easter and the celebration of Bulgarian national holidays are extremely important for the internal life of organizations and for the upbringing of children, but they usually remain within the community itself. We support them and publicize their events, but EABA’s financial support is primarily directed towards initiatives that unite Bulgarians from different countries or connect communities abroad with Bulgaria. I am referring here to school competitions, the gathering Na megdana na drugata Bulgaria (In the Public Square of the Other Bulgaria), as well as the many other folklore festivals. All this shapes a living and active “global Bulgaria”.
In addition to financial support, the Agency also assists through institutional contacts, dissemination of information via EABA’s channels, and facilitation of meetings and partnerships. I never make promises that I cannot keep. This is an extremely important principle for me.
In April 2025, the EABA inaugurated its Library and Information Centre. What purpose does it serve?
The opening of the Library and Information Centre was one of the most joyful events of the year. Shortly after it opened, the centre attracted the interest of students and doctoral candidates, who began using the library collection. From the very beginning, we conceived it not only as a place for study, but also as a space for meetings and events.
Significant initiatives were held there, such as the meeting with Nikolai Kurtov from the Ukrainian village of Kamchik, whom we awarded an honorary plaque on the occasion of his 75th birthday and for his contribution to promoting the history of his native place, as well as the discussion with Olha Kolot from Ternivka, Ukraine, Deputy Chair of the Ivan Vazov Society. The centre is gradually establishing itself as a place of knowledge, memory and living dialogue.
EABA also hosted the founding of the Association of Bulgarian Cultural Organizations Abroad. What necessity led to its creation, and what role do you expect it to play in the future?
The founding was held symbolically in Hall 820, now the Library and Information Centre, where years ago the creation of the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad (ABSA) was discussed. The experience of ABSA showed that unifying structures with legal positioning in Bulgaria are key to effective dialogue and financial support for organizations abroad.
Following the same model, the Association of Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles Abroad (ABFEA) was created, which now serves as an example. It was precisely around the folklore ensembles that the issue of financial support for Bulgarian culture abroad began to be actively discussed. However, it is not fair for Bulgarian culture abroad to be identified solely with folklore, as there are also artists, musicians, writers and filmmakers who often work individually. The new Association of Bulgarian Cultural Organizations Abroad aims to unite them, to give them the opportunity to come together, demonstrate their activity and significance, and strengthen their ties with Bulgaria.
Is an Association of Bulgarian Media Abroad the next step?
The need for such an association has been discussed for a long time. During the 20th World Meeting of Bulgarian Media, organized by BTA in May, I once again stressed the necessity for media abroad to unite following the model of ABSA and ABFEA, so that they can be mutually beneficial. In fact, I will not tire of raising this issue in the future, because it is important to have a structure that unites the media energy of Bulgarians abroad and in Bulgaria on a much broader scale. Of course, for this to happen, the media teams themselves must want it.
In 2025, EABA organized its traditional three student competitions. Do you observe growing interest in them?
The interest is steady, and this pleases us. We are, however, striving to expand the geographical reach of the competitions. This year I met compatriots in Finland and Norway, until now there had been no participants from there, despite the fact that information was sent regularly. I am confident that next year we will have children from these countries as well, after we personally presented the competitions on site.
The Agency published and presented the book by Prof Spas Tashev, Bulgarian Communities in Albania and Kosovo: Socio-Political Processes and Demographic Consequences (1913–2024). Why is it important for the State to support such research, and how does it contribute to better understanding of historical Bulgarian communities?
In order to shape an effective state policy towards specific communities, sufficient information about them is first required. When it comes to historical communities whose formation and development span centuries, in-depth research and analytical materials prepared by qualified specialists are necessary. This is why the Agency publishes such books – to provide a knowledge base and understanding of Bulgarian communities abroad.
During the year, with EABA’s support, two films were presented – And They Reached the End of the World and The End of the River. What place do cinema and visual storytelling occupy in contemporary cultural policy towards Bulgarians abroad?
Cinema is another form of discovery. While scholars work with facts and analyses, emotion and the sense of community are best conveyed through images. A film shows what no book can recreate in the same way – the viewer perceives the state and spirit of the community directly and emotionally. Visual storytelling reaches a much wider audience and is an indispensable tool in cultural policy towards Bulgarians abroad.
With EABA’s support, the first edition of the Festival of Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles from Abroad took place in Veliko Tarnovo in July. You have repeatedly underlined the significant role of folklore in the connection between the diaspora and Bulgaria. What are the Agency’s plans in this direction for 2026?
Definitely the organization of a second festival. After the first one in Veliko Tarnovo, we carried out an analysis and identified what could be improved. In fact, I had long dreamed that this celebration of Bulgarian folklore would also take place in Bulgaria, because the beauty and talent of our ensembles abroad deserve to be seen in the homeland as well. The Fourth Creative Meeting of Leaders of Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles Abroad allowed us to discuss priorities and plan the next steps. I am convinced that the second folklore gathering will be even more successful and will strengthen the ties between Bulgarian communities abroad and Bulgaria.
What other priorities will shape the work of the EABA in the coming calendar year?
We will continue what we started in 2025. One of the important moments this year was the seminar Models for Creation, Management and Communication in Different Structures of Bulgarians Abroad in Budapest. This pilot event provided a valuable opportunity for organizations to exchange experience. We invited representatives of eight organizations of different types, and the seminar proved extremely useful. Meetings of this kind remain a priority for the Agency.
In September, we are planning a large-scale meeting titled Bulgarian Creators Abroad. The first such meeting took place in 1996, when the Agency was chaired by Ginyo Ganev, and brought together 100 creators from different countries. Next year, we aim to invite artists, writers, musicians, film and theatre professionals. Between September 1 and 6, Sofia will turn into a large cultural stage with book premieres, exhibitions, concerts and film screenings, and on September 6, on the occasion of Unification Day, we will organize a major concert at St Alexander Nevsky Square.
Placing children and work with them at the centre of attention, the Agency is also turning its gaze towards sport. In 2010, the competitive initiative Spartakiada was launched. In 2026, we are planning a new similar event, which will be called Yunashki Igri (Heroic Games) and will include both sports competitions and educational quizzes.
What is your message to Bulgarians around the world on the eve of the New Year?
Let my message be not only to Bulgarians around the world, but to all Bulgarians. I believe in the principles I share in my latest book Orisiyata Balgarka (The Fate of Being a Bulgarian Woman): “Be useful and measure your growth by how useful you are to others.
The most valuable capital and the most universal currency are contacts, people and friends. Success and professional fulfilment are achieved only if you truly love what you do.” This is what I wish for everyone. Agency for Bulgarians Abroad Director: Cultural Initiatives Strengthen Ties between Bulgarians Abroad and Bulgaria 2025 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2025-12-23 20:21:25 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
