Kiril Kadiiski is the first director of the Bulgarian Institute in Paris

He is a great modern poet. And certainly the most widely translated in French. We owe him not only the pleasure from his beautiful poetry but also the brilliant translations of Villon, Hugo, Baudelaire, Verlaine, Rimbaud, MalarmÎ, Appolinaire, Cendrars, the dramas of MoliÏre, as well as of Tyutchev, Blok, Bunin, Voloshin, Leopold Staf, etc.

Kiril Kadiiski is a Russian Philology graduate. He made his first poetic attempts in his university years. Also his first translations from Russian, then from Polish. In the course of time the poet made contacts with writers from all parts of the world, participated in dozens of international writers’ meetings. It was not always easy for him. His very first book of poetry, “Lamp”, in 1975 was not published because he refused to make drastic cuts and changes and this put him on the list of intellectuals with restricted access to the media. The poet constantly had problems with those in power but nobody could take away from him his creative inspirations. One after another came out his books: “Heavenly Concerts”, “Pot with a Tail” (for children), “Sand Time”, “Between Two Abysses”, “Are We Brave” (his second children’s book), “Before You Resurrect”, “A Phoenix Feather and Other Verses”, “Lamentations”, “Day-and-Night City”, “The Death of the White Swallow and Thirteen New Sonnets”, till his latest “Yorik’s Skull”.

Alain Bosquet said that he is a poet, whose “anxious sensibility” is closest to the French. And that he is among the most universal minds in his country today. Perhaps that is why in 1975 he was elected a member of MalarmÎ Academy. Jean Orizet, another great French poet and president of the Academy, said at the ceremony: “The Academy renders this honour to Kiril Kadiiski for his long years of work as a writer, translator and publisher, particularly in the sphere of French literature and poetry.” The name of the Bulgarian poet was placed next to the names of some of the greatest contemporary French and foreign poets such as Alain Bosquet, Claude Esteban, Pierre Oster, Eugene Giivik, Andrey Voznesenski, Ismail KadarÎ, Mario Luzi, Josten Sostrand. Kadiiski presented many of these authors with his Nov Zlatorog, the first private publishing house in Bulgaria.

Winner of many international prizes for literature, in 2002 the poet received one of the most prestigious ones – the French Max Jacob prize. This May he became Knight of the French Order for Art and Literature.

For some time now Kiril Kadiiski has been director of the Bulgarian Culture Institute in Paris, which will be officially opened in October. His thoughts are already drifting to the French capital and accumulating ideas for his future work.

The Bulgarian Culture Institute is situated in the heart of Paris, in a crossing of Champs Elysee. A pun came to my mind that the Institute was not on Champs Elysee but on Chance Elysee. This is indeed a paradisiacal chance. In this moment so important for Bulgaria, the Ministry of Culture and the Foreign Ministry secured a place where our cultural achievements will really become generally known to the French public. Having attended dozens of forums in Europe and over the ocean, I know that the place is very important for the success of a cultural event. If it is in the suburbs, be it even the Parisian suburbs, the chances of contact with the public are much less. We are starting from nothing and we need a strong takeoff, out of the ordinary. During the ongoing repairs meant to transform the premises (a former Brazilian gallery) into a cultural center, into a multifunctional hall which could be a gallery at one time, next – a concert hall, and then a theatre stage, we can organize things elsewhere thanks to my French contacts. We’ll use well-known halls in Paris, such as in the museum of Boris Vian and Jacques Prever, a former automechanic workshop under the apartments which was frugally turned into a wonderful cultural venue. My friend, the poet Marc Delouse, who gives memorable shows there, has already offered me his hospitality. We can also count on the Writers’ Home in Vernoy Street, near Saint Germaine, where most interesting cultural meetings take place, international too. The bookshop Art et Literature in Montparnasse Blvd. offers another opportunity to make presentations before the French intellectual elite. I already had three poetry evenings there. There are other possibilities, too, but I think this is enough for a start.

It will all depend on how far we’ll be able to balance between cultural heritage and classics, on the one hand, and the latest, modern, which will stir interest in the French public. This balance is very delicate but I think we’ll succeed. As a publisher I know how to promote the new between the known and demanded.

Apart from the diaspora in France we’ll work with the French cultural elite, and above all with the elite. It is very important that they know you and trust you and your undertakings. For this position I had many references from the French side and this fact makes me optimistic that we’ll be able to make up for the delay in the opening of the Bulgarian Institute, so painful for our culture. And that we’ll not only be able to organize a grand inauguration but also to continue working at the same pace.

Why is the Bulgarian cultural institute in Paris opened so late, bearing in mind that the relations between the two countries are so strong? How will you make up for lost time?
The Bulgarian intellectual elite have always been gravitating towards French culture. From the dawn of the Revival, when one of the first authors to be translated was MoliÏre. Ever since France has occupied a significant place in our literary and cultural development.

Back in 1964 agreements were signed for the opening of cultural centers in the two capital cities. Till 1990 it is clear why Bulgaria did not hurry to open one. Perhaps it did not want to but could not decline the proposition. After November 10, a new agreement for cultural and technical cooperation was signed. The fact is the French Cultural Institute in Sofia has been functioning for years now, with activities beneficial for both sides, while we still don’t have one in Paris. Perhaps the reason is that we don’t have a building and funds. Anyway, it is good that this matter is finally settled.

Bulgarian emigrants in France out of pure patriotism have organized movements, associations and organizations to do things of public utility. They eagerly anticipate the opening of our institute. It is important to involve them and together to make up for lost time. The doors are open for everybody.

We must show what we have and that it is of good quality. The elite French public has to come to our center and see our music, films, theatre, folklore. I don’t doubt we’ll be able to organize folk dance courses, for example, and Bulgarian language courses. The Bulgarian actress Anna Tancheva, who is married in Paris, runs a Sunday school for children since one year. This is very good because the children from mixed marriages can improve their Bulgarian language and keep up their love for Bulgaria. The main motive force in this school is enthusiasm. I want to lend it a hand and promote it.

I wish we could use and mobilize the personal contacts, which successful Bulgarians in France have established through the years. My contacts and friendships with French artists and intellectuals have convinced me that they are happy to find equivalents of their modern quests in a different reality, a different cultural setting. The French actress Ann Safor was in Sofia the other day, unfortunately for just a couple of hours. She has organized several Bulgarian evenings in Bordeaux. On my visit there last year she made a recital of my poems on the background of her photo-exhibition of Bulgaria. The Burgas children’s choir for folk songs happened to be passing through Bordeaux. They had come to the event as spectators but we put them on the program and it was an unforgettable evening. Now Ann is preparing a new exhibition and we hope to show it not only Bordeaux but also in Paris, in our new center.

We can organize similar events in other French cities, where there are Bulgarian colonies, such as Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon. We must get in line with the local activities and organize them under the aegis of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute. Because we have a common goal – to demonstrate the Bulgarian cultural heritage and Bulgarian culture today, as well as its impact on the French public. Also that Bulgaria is not joining Europe but is simply coming back to it after a period of forceful detachment.