Acad. Blagovest Sendov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Japan

Acad. Blagovest Sendov was born in 1932. He graduated in Mathematics (1956), Candidate of Mathematical Sciences (1964) from St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University. Doctor of Science (1967) from the Steklov Institute of Mathematics, Moscow. Academician (1981). Professor (since 1968) in numerical methods, Dean (1970–1973) of the Faculty of Mathematics, Rector (1973–1979) of St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University. Vice President (1980–1988) and President (1988–1991) of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Informatics and Computer Technology Centre (1991–1993).
MP (1975–1990), Chairman (1995–1997) of the 37th and Vice Chairman of the 38th (1997–2000) and 39th (2001–2003) National Assemblies.
Author of over 200 scientific publications in the field of mathematics and informatics, of monographs and more than 30 textbooks.
Participated as main guest-lecturer in a number of international conferences and seminars.
Married, three children.
Proficient in English, German, Russian and French.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Japan since 2003, and to the Republic of the Philippines since 2006.

Your Excellency, this year is special in the relations between Bulgaria and Japan – 90 years since the official establishment and 50 years since the renewal of diplomatic relations. 2009 is also a Year of Bulgaria in Japan. In Bulgaria the celebrations of the anniversary, organized by the Embassy of Japan, have already started and will continue throughout the year. The great importance attached, does it not practically show a very high assessment of the achievements in the bilateral relations for half a century?
Indeed, the bilateral relations between Japan and Bulgaria in the last 50 years have been intensive, diverse and fruitful, despite the political difference in the first three decades of this period. During the 1970s and 80s Japan became a major partner to Bulgaria in the building of the Bulgarian electronic industry. As we know, within the framework of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance in the early 1960s Bulgaria was assigned to specialize in computing machinery and robotics. The Bulgarian state needed economic and techno-scientific cooperation with a country advanced in this field. The choice, for a number of reasons, luckily fell on Japan. Already in 1965 we bought our first modern computer from Japan. My personal contacts with this country date back to the same year, when being one of the not many computer specialists in Bulgaria I had to become familiar with the machine FACOM 230-30 of FUDJITSU Ltd. and give an evaluation of its qualities.

An important event was Bulgaria’s very successful participation in EXPO’70 – Osaka. The economic ties between the two countries began to develop intensively. The staff of the Bulgarian Embassy in Tokyo exceeded 100. At the time Bulgaria was said to be Japan on the Balkans. Recently the book by Evgeniy Kandilarov Bulgaria and Japan from the Cold War to the 21st C was published (Damian Yankov, Sofia 2009). A very serious study and analysis of this phenomenon, which is worth attention.

There seems to be a paradox in the relations between Bulgaria and Japan. When they had opposing political orientations the economic relations between the two countries were several times more intensive than in the last 20 years, when they have practically no political differences. However, it is not hard to explain. Radical changes occurred in Bulgaria within a very short time. Japan is changing too, but much more slowly and deliberately.

A major task of the Bulgarian diplomacy towards Japan now is to attract again the attention of Japanese investors and to help Bulgarian business find more Japanese partners.

The official visit of President Georgi Parvanov and his wife to Japan in January this year was literary the “event of the decade” in our relations, because according to the Japanese protocol the next such visit can take place after 10 years at the earliest.
This visit gave a flying start to the Year of Bulgaria in Japan.

How and on what issues can Bulgaria and Japan interact through the cooperation of various regional organizations? Japan shows interest in the Black Sea region and has expressed an intention to maintain enhanced dialogue with the member states of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.
In the recent years Japan has shown overt interest in the Black Sea region, launching in 2004 The Japan-Wider Black Sea Area Dialogue. Within the framework of this Dialogue two conferences were held in Tokyo with the support of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC): “Peace and Prosperity in the Wider Black Sea Area and the Role of Japan” (November 2005) and “Japan and the Black Sea Area in the Rapidly Changing World” (November 2007). The next conference of this series is scheduled for end January or early February 2010, which opens an opportunity and an obligation for Bulgaria for a more representative participation as then our country will hold the Presidency over BSEC. The Japanese side expects assistance from Bulgaria also in defining the topics of the coming conference. I hope this event will be yet another occasion for expansion of the cooperation between the two countries.

As we know, the Japanese appreciate highly the Bulgarian opera art, our cultural heritage. In Bulgaria we also enjoy the performances of Japanese artists. What is this mutual interest in each other’s culture due to?
The fruitful results from the bilateral cooperation in the various spheres to a great extent are due to the active cultural exchange. Mutual interest is part of the culture of both countries. Both Japan and Bulgaria are countries of ancient heritage and rich modern culture. There is a lot we can learn about each other and from each other.

We seem to owe much to this exchange of people and ideas for the trust built between us?
A solid basis for good cultural, economic and political relations is the presence of personalities who are bearers of these relations, truly devoted friends. In the past half a century our ambassadors and servants at the Embassy in Tokyo have managed to attract the attention of many famous Japanese politicians, businessmen, artists, citizens, who are lastingly bound to Bulgaria. Associations of friends of Bulgaria are active in many Japanese cities. It is not possible to mention all, but one of the symbols in question is Mrs. Tenkoko Sonoda, who turned 90 this year and was conferred Stara Planina Order 1st class for her exceptional contributions as chairperson of the civil society Sofia Club.

Many are the personalities on both sides working in the sphere of politics, economy, culture, etc. who have greatly contributed to the promotion of the bilateral relations. Long is the list of representatives of Bulgaria who have contributed to its good presentation and fruitful Bulgarian-Japanese cooperation.

How will the Year of Bulgaria in Japan go? What initiatives does the Embassy have for marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations?
I will mention some of the major cultural events: Exhibition of the Golden Thracian Treasures, exhibition of graphic design posters The Cyrillic – Alphabet of Bulgaria, Alphabet of Europe, publication of a special brochure about the history of Bulgaria-Japan relations, translation into Japanese of the book The Message of the Cyrillic by Prof. Axinia Djurova and of the documentary film of the Bulgarian National Television The Elder Brother (about St. Methodius), organizing a competition for photos of Bulgarian roses with a prize a trip to Bulgaria during the Festival of Roses, exhibitions of postcards made by Bulgarian children on the theme “My Message to the 21st Century”, presented by the Madara Foundation. We have organized and held a workshop on Bulgarian colorations and folk dresses, a joint concert of Bulgarian and Japanese ensembles for Bulgarian folklore on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the renewal of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Japan (with the participation of the world-famous choir The Cosmic Voices of Bulgaria), cartoon exhibition from the International Biennial of Humour and Satire in Gabrovo on the occasion of 20 years of Europe’s democratization, Days of Bulgarian Films (for the first time in 35 years), concert of the Gunma Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rosen Gergov, concert of the Shizuoka Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stefan Nedyalkov, recital of Lachezar Kostov, violoncello, concerts of the world-famous mezzo soprano Veselina Katsarova, exhibition of drawings by Bulgarian children on the theme “The Danube River” in connection with the Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009, concerts of pianist Plamena Mangova, of Sofia Quartet and the group Pangea, exhibitions of the artists Zlatka Pentova, Daniela Todorova and Todor Todorov, tour of the ensemble Sofia Soloists, concerts of Delcho Delchev and Ivan Yanakov (piano), of the opera singer Veselin Stoikov and many other events are held with the support and participation of the Bulgarian Embassy in Japan. 

The full program can be seen in Bulgarian and in Japanese on the webpage of the Bulgarian Embassy in Tokyo www.mfa.bg/tokyo. In the preparation of this rich cultural calendar participate various institutions and organizations on the Bulgarian and on the Japanese side. And this shows once again the deep interest in the ancient and modern Bulgarian arts.

You are one of the most popular Bulgarian scientists, you are invited to read lectures at Japanese universities. How do the young people of Japan see Bulgaria?
I can confidently say that Bulgaria is fairly well known in Japan compared to other European countries of similar characteristics. I have had the chance to converse with schoolchildren in all grades and university students. I have delivered lectures not only in mathematics but also lectures dedicated to the history and modern development of our country. The Japanese are very curious people and are impressed by facts new to them. I have spoken repeatedly about the Cyrillic, which is used by the Russians and other nations but it originated in Bulgaria. Usually the Japanese have the impression that we have borrowed our alphabet from Russia, as they borrowed the hieroglyphs from China. Another thing that my listeners learn with surprise in getting to know Bulgaria is that electronic computing and the modern computer were discovered by the American of Bulgarian descent John Atanasoff.

Of course, here we cannot speak of Bulgaria without mentioning Kotooshu – Kaloyan Mahlyanov, our famous sumo wrestler. We already have another man in this traditional Japanese sport. In the next basho (15-day tournament) in July on the dohio (mat) will come out Aoyama – Daniel Ivanov, who trains in the Togonoura Beya (stable). Kotooshu is in Sadogatake Beya. Under the rules of the Japan Sumo Association there may be only one foreign competitor in a beya.

The mission of an ambassador in a country like Japan requires concentration of efforts and energy, a lot of work. Would you tell us which activity of yours brings you the greatest satisfaction?
When I was a schoolboy I dreamt of becoming an aircraft designer. At the university I thought of my career of a mathematician, therefore I was satisfied by my work at Sofia University and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. But I also feel comfortable as Ambassador. Of course, it is very good to practice what you studied at university. Professional diplomats have their advantages, but the so-called “political assignments” introduce a certain colour in the diplomatic corps.

As I already mentioned, I have been in touch with Japan since more than 40 years and I have visited it dozens of times before I was accredited as Ambassador. But it is one thing to come to Japan for a week or two, and quite another to live and work here for years.

You want to know what in my activity as Ambassador brings me the greatest satisfaction? To anyone who like their job satisfaction comes with the feeling that everything has been done properly and skilfully. I am not a professional diplomat but diplomacy is a universal human quality. The skill is to do things as if they were very simple and easy. When a violinist plays a complex score with ease it is pleasant to watch and listen to him. I try to never look tired and don’t complain of having too much work. One should worry if there is no work.