After the collapse of the Soviet Union when Georgia became an independent state, a little more than 14 years ago a Bulgarian-Georgian Friendship Society was formed in Bulgaria. Its founders were eminent public figures – intellectuals from different spheres of human activity: artists, writers, actors, engineers, scientists, and businessmen. What brought them together was that they had direct contacts with Georgian colleagues, or were under the influence of Georgian science and technology, having studied or worked in Georgia, drawn on the Georgian cultural treasury and cherishing a feeling of friendship to the Georgian people.

The Society is a public association, NGO – independent, voluntary, non-profit, non-religious, non-political organization with broad public participation. It unites public authority in the name of the national interests and international cooperation, registered under the Law on Persons and the Family.

Its main goal is to create and develop joint bridges for promotion of the treasures of the Georgian and Bulgarian cultural heritage and the achievements of modern scientific and cultural thought. Through the so-called people-to-people diplomacy, it facilitates the establishment and development of direct contacts between representatives of the scientific, cultural and business circles.

For both nations the period of the past 10-15 years was marked by the hard transition to democratic society on a new socioeconomic base. But this did not hinder the active contacts. For example, Days of the Georgian Cinema were held in Sofia, featuring famous and evergreen films from the classical Georgian cinema, exhibition of paintings by the Georgian artist Mamuka Djaparidze, a Georgian language course, screening of films of the directors Genio Tsolaya and Neli Nenova, concerts of the State Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances of the city of Kutaisi, popularization of films about Bulgaria on the Georgian radio and television, among many other activities.

Every year on May 26, Georgia’s National Holiday, members of the Friendship Society and Bulgarian cultural figures visit the Georgian Embassy to express the friendly feelings and attitudes towards Georgia. Meetings with the Georgian diaspora are held. Under the auspices of the Georgian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Teimuraz Sharashenidze the book of poetry Georgia in Verses was published in Bulgarian.

This year’s celebration of the National Holiday of Georgia is remarkable because it marks the 15th anniversary of Georgia’s independence. The Bulgarian public wishes the Georgian people further successes in the development of democratic society and the socioeconomic base.