EMBASSIES. NATIONAL DAYS.

• The Bulgarian community in Belgium met with three Bulgarian ministers
• Bulgaria with a new Honorary Consul in Switzerland
• Minister Solomon Passy met with the Honorary Consuls of Bulgaria in Italy and Switzerland
• Bulgarian General Consul in Toronto Decorates Two Bulgarians with Golden Laurel Branch Badge of Honour

On March 21, in Iran they celebrate the holiday Nouruz which marks the Iranian New Year and the beginning of spring

On March 21 at the Eastern Languages and Cultures Center with St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, with the kind cooperation of the Iranian Studies department, the Cultural Representation of the Islamic Republic of Iran hosted a reception on the occasion of the Iranian New Year (1384).

The event was attended by Assoc. Prof. Petya Yaneva, Dean of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology with the University of Sofia, Prof. Dr. Boryana Hristova, Director of St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivo Panov and many Iranian and Bulgarian guests, students and lecturers.

Mr. Seied Hossein Mosawi, cultural attachе, greeted the guests and read the message of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mr. Seied Mohammad Khatami on the occasion of the New Year. The Iranian Studies department received a special new-year’s gift – a computer, a copying machine and a printer.

The program continued with performances of Iranian folk music and after that with another ancient custom “chaharshanbeh suri” – jumping over fire, and with the showing of the Iranian movie “The White Baloon”.

At the end of the celebration the guests were invited to “haft sin” – the traditional Iranian New Year’s dinner.

On March 24, the chargе d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Timur Urazaev hosted a reception on the occasion of the spring holiday Nouruz

Representatives of the political, diplomatic, business and cultural circles and fiends of the two countries came to the party held at Harmony – Sofia restaurant.

Among the guests were Mr. Chetin Kazak, vice chairman of the Parliamentary group for Friendship Bulgaria-Kazakhstan, MPs from the 39th National Assembly – Mrs. Marina Vasileva, Mrs. Emilia Maslarova, Mr. Svetlin Belchilov, Prof. Alexander Fedotov, Vice Rector of St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, and three chargеs d’affaires of the Bulgarian Embassy in Kazakhstan (1994-2004) – Mr. Petar Ivanov, Mr. Dimitar Dekov and Mr. Yordan Trenchev.

Many representatives of the Kazakhstanian diaspore in Sofia also honoured the event – Mrs. Shara Karsakpaeva, director of the private dance school “Galina Ulanova” – classical ballet and general education.

The guests had the chance to sample national Kazakhstanian cuisine.

On March 15, the Hungarians celebrate their National Day related to the Revolution of 1848-1849. On this occasion H.E. Dr. Bela Kolozsi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Hungary to Bulgaria hosted a reception at the Embassy on March 14. As usual many guests came – ambassadors, politicians, people connected with Hungary and Hungarian culture. They enjoyed the warm attention of the hosts and the masterpieces of the Hungarian cuisine.

The guests were welcomed by H.E. Dr. Bela Kolozsi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Hungary, lieutenant-colonel Andor Benko, military attachе, Dr. Sandor Toth, economic adviser, Mr. Istvan Cserepes, trade adviser

On March 25, H.E. Mr. Procopios Mantzouranis, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Greece, and his wife hosted a reception on the occasion of the country’s National Day – Independence Day

H.E. Mr. Procopios Mantzouranis and his wife Mrs. Alexandra Mantzourani, Mr. Nikolaos Kotrokois, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission, and his wife Mrs. Eleni Ignatopoulou

On March 25, the Chilean Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Mr. Manuel Munoz hosted a reception on the occasion of the coming into office of the Honorary Consul of Chile in Bulgaria Mr. Georgi Krumov.

The Republic of Chile has an Embassy for Bulgaria and Romania seated in Bucharest and just one official honorary consulate in Bulgaria headed by Mr. Georgi Krumov.

The guests of the elegant reception at the Sheraton were offered some excellent Chilean wine.

Mr. Georgi Krumov, H.E. Mr. Manuel Munoz, Mr. Patracio Brikle, Chilean Consul with a seat in Romania, and Mr. Maxim Behar, Director of M3 Communications Group