In the month of Bulgarian culture for a fourth year in a row the Italian festival in Bulgaria is held. Between May 10 and June 20 it presents not only the familiar Italian traditions but mostly the contemporary achievements and way of life. The rich showcase offers products made in Italy - from design to arts and music, from cuisine to economy and hi techs. The Italian festival takes place concurrently every year in different countries. In the dynamically changing world of today this is an important state strategy because in this way the world can get to know contemporary Italy. Something useful for us, too. In Bulgaria this event started three years ago under the sign of the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The festival, we may say, came to Bulgaria with the arrival of Ambassador Campagnola. Its growth and popularization is the fruit of the joint efforts of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Embassy of the Republic of Italy under the patronage of the ambassador. This is an interview with H.E. Mr. Gian B. Campagnola.

Your Excellency, what is the festival’s message in the year of Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union?
First of all, I am glad Bulgaria’s accession to EU as a full member happened during the Italian presidency. This edition of the festival is dedicated to this historical fact. Although you are a young member of the European family, you have always belonged to it. The message of this festival is also to get to know each other closely, to communicate in the language of our time, to enrich the traditional links between the two countries, to be friends. I am proud that this initiative is developing and establishing its image as a festival different from all others. I am saying this because the diverse events in the capital city, in Plovdiv and in Sunny Beach encompass our achievements in art, business, the culinary art. The festival takes place within the framework of Italy’s National Day, June 2.

We are celebrating the half a century long history of EU. As an old member of the European family, how would Italy share its experience with its Bulgarian partners?
Each edition of the festival aims at displaying the Italian way of life, the products made in Italy, with our priorities in our common home. Of mutual benefit was the Conference dedicated to food quality and safety, as well as the Conference on the resources of the structural funds in Bulgaria until 2013, organized by the Consultative Committee of Italian Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria. The Italian Institute for Foreign Trade organized courses for the training of Bulgarian entrepreneurs and institutions in absorption of the structural funds - something very important. Interesting were the seminars on cooperation in the energy sector with a visit by an economic delegation from Pulia region, and on Corridor VIII. The Italian experience in cultural tourism is acknowledged. Culture, cultural heritage are an important economic factor. In this sense the Congress on cultural tourism with Italian and Bulgarian lecturers in Plovdiv was a forum for exchange of experience. We shared our experience in the field of radiology at the Italian-Bulgarian symposium in image diagnostics Italmedica-2007.

Therefore I am convinced that this forum is different from the traditional notion of a festival. This is a venue for dialogue, exchange of ideas, how to live together in the global world.

The first editions were oriented mostly towards the established and well-known values, such as presentation of Italian baroque, the Milan Philharmonic Orchestra with Riccardo Muti, futurism, ballet, fashion, design. What was the accent this year?
Purposefully every time we choose different topics, we seek the most successful formula of dialogue with the contemporary people, with young people. Last year we put an emphasis on the trends in fashion, design, photography, dance. This year a key element was the exhibition “Contemporary Art Collection of Farnesina Palace” with 88 works by famous master of the past century: from the futurists Balla and Boccioni, the metaphysics of Giorgio de Chirico, Boetti, Depero, Guttuso, etc. The lectures of the world-famous arch. Alexandro Guerriero, president of the New Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, have become a tradition. Scholarships for young people for the summer courses at the Academy have been envisaged. The exhibition “Centennial Italian Menu” presented achievements in menus, made by prominent Italian artists in Liberty style. Those who wish to learn something of the secrets of Italian cuisine can participate in the master classes of the Serramazzioni School of Hotel and Restaurant Management,

What was Bulgaria to you upon your arrival and what is it now; what would you tell your friends about us, when you go back to Italy?
At first I did not understand anything. I must say the countries of the European family have a very superficial idea of you. It is customary to visit known places. After four years in Bulgaria I believe the East will enrich European culture with new blood. I believe we will unite also by virtue of the new cultural routes, e.g. Varna - Trieste, which will soon become a reality. I came here as an ambassador of Italy to Bulgaria, I will leave as an ambassador of Bulgaria to Italy.

What will you keep in your heart, something that will stay with you forever?
I appreciate many things in Bulgaria, but what impresses me strongly are the young people. They are determined, of high and good education, open to the world. I will also carry away the beauty of the mountains, of the lakes, the rural landscape, the unusual history of the monasteries, the archaeological wealth. Something I respect very much is the fact that we can trust each other.