Vatican Radio is a real federation of programmes. Each of them is an exponent and representative of its national, geographic, political and religious characteristics. It is no accident that the Pope's radio is called “the little UN”. Every day it broadcasts emissions in 40 languages. In this conglomerate the Bulgarian section has a specific mission – to be a bridge between the West and the East. As Dimitri Ganchev, journalist at the Radio, says, “each transmission is a brick in this bridge, which is to enable our country to take again its place among the European family of nations and the Europeans to re-discover the Bulgarian spirit, abilities and culture”. This bridge is built by the daily 20-minute-long broadcasts in the Bulgarian language as well as by broadcasts in Italian: the 15-minute “Bulgarian Showcase” acquaints the Italian public with current events in the bilateral relations. Bulgaria is also present in the weekly programme “Europe Without Walls” prepared by 6 Balkan sections. Dimitri Ganchev spoke to us about the work of the Bulgarian section of the Pope's radio.

Mr. Ganchev, the Bulgarian programme of Vatican Radio started on November 21, 1949. It anticipated the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Holy See by 51 years. How did the programme develop, what are the landmarks in its history?
Until 1989 the functions of the Bulgarian section of Vatican Radio were aimed chiefly at keeping up the faith of the Catholics and all Bulgarians with goodwill during the communist regime. It was the time of persecution of Catholics and informational blackout on the faith and Church. Hence, the broadcasts of Vatican Radio in that period may be called “dissident”, alongside the Bulgarian programmes of Deutsche Welle, BBC and Radio Free Europe.

Among the priests in charge of the programmes at the time were father Yosif Gagov and father passionist Ivan Sofranov, whose efforts to spread the Good News and the Truth transcended the air. But the air was the “motor” to start the canonical process of beatification of bishop Evgeniy Bosilkov, who was declared blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1998 and was the first martyr in the countries of the former Eastern bloc raised to the heavenly altars.

For more than 20 years head of the Bulgarian programme was archimandrite Georgi Eldarov, who with his erudition and encyclopaedic knowledge widened the programme horizons, lending it greater social and public orientation. Today the programme archives contain some unique historical studies by Monsignor Eldarov. To him goes the credit for expanding the editorial team by recruiting new contributors, some of whom Orthodox, as Georgi Minchev. It may be said that this period of the radio had a preparatory function for the official Bulgaria-Vatican relations because through the broadcasts the activities of the Holy See and the Pope became transparent and directly “entered” the homes of the Bulgarians, penetrating the ideological propaganda, disinformation and attempts at jamming.

In the last 15 years Bulgaria changed, which necessitated a change in the nature of the programme. It is no longer a support for a persecuted church but its companion on the not easy road of democratic processes. This means that besides the standing tasks of acquainting listeners with the activity of the Holy Father, the life of the Universal Church, and being a spiritual mainstay, the radio strives to stimulate the renewal process in the Bulgarian society. It contributes to the unification of the Universal Church and the secular education of Christians. Special attention is given to the dialogue with other churches and cultures, as well as to Bulgarian political, public and religious representatives visiting Rome. Including the ecumenical relations in the context of the Eastern tradition with view to European integration.

Daily the programme offers information divided in four parts: the activity of the Holy See and the major news from the Vatican institutions, the life of the Church worldwide, commentaries on important current issues, spiritual moulding by catechistic reflections, prayers and sermons prepared by young priests and missionaries, participating actively in the pastoral life of the Catholic church in Bulgaria, as well as Orthodox priests making liturgical comments on biblical texts and church holidays.

The programme has regular features: “Jesus Toward the Third Millennium” every Tuesday, “Man and Society” every Thursday treat topics from the social doctrine of the Catholic Church. “Youths – Salt and Light of the World” on Fridays presents interviews with Bulgarian and foreign youths, experts and professionals on topical issues, “The Bulgarian Cultural and Spiritual Presence Round the World” on Sundays offers meetings with Bulgarian representatives of culture, politics, economy and other areas related to the Bulgarian-Italian relations and Bulgaria's place in new Europe.

What is the current team of the Bulgarian section and how did get there?
The programme is run by three editors (two of whom women) but also relies on contributors and correspondents who regularly send weekly information on the life of the three Catholic eparchies in the country. It should not be forgotten that the flow of information and the media activity of the Catholic Church in Bulgaria are still insufficiently developed. Catholic websites are now starting to appear, and the broadcasting of the first Catholic web-radio TAU is under preparation. Therefore the Bulgarian programme at Vatican Radio is trying to fill in the information gaps and provide reference points for the Christian interpretation of events.

To me the 15th anniversary of Bulgaria-Vatican relations is a personal jubilee because before I started work at the radio I was employed at the apostolic nunciature in Sofia by the first papal nuncio in Bulgaria Monsignor Mario Rizzi. This was a time of hardships, deprivations and confusion, and the nunciature was perceived not as a diplomatic representation but rather as an isle of mercy and hope. Many people came with specific requests to the Pope as an ultimate instance of justice. Then I realized the value of the heritage of Monsignor Roncali, the first apostolic visitator and later Pope John XXIII, to the Bulgarians. What could be better than diplomatic relations stemming from humanity and kindness rather than administrative norms!

With the nunciature's assistance I went to Rome to specialize in social communications with the so-called “paolines” from the Society of St. Paul, known as the media vanguard of the Catholic Church. My collaboration with Vatican Radio started at that time. Then the crucial moment came when I had to choose and accept the proposal to work in it. Actually, inwardly I had made this choice years before, because my dream had been to work in the Pope's Radio.

A media, however neutral it may be, always addresses a message to the people…
On the whole, our information strives to transcend the church and religious boundaries in the desire to provide a more humane and Christian interpretation of the modern world. Because peace, justice, social harmony and human fulfilment are part of the humanism and mission of the Church. Pope Benedict XVI says: “Faith is not a private but rather a public act.” Therefore, Catholics and Christians in general are called upon to testify to it in society, not just in churches and sacristies.

On the other hand, the Church cannot be silent on issues concerning basic values such as human life, the family and religious freedom. The new age poses new demands and it is not accidental that the European political programmes ever more often include topics, which cannot ignore the viewpoint of the Church: ethics, morals, abortions, euthanasia, biotechnologies and human dignity, peace and coexistence between the nations. The current international situation suggests that the attitude toward religion is changing. Many authoritative voices forecast that the 21st century will the age of religions. Therefore, besides topical information on the life of the Catholic Church and the Pope's activity, we strive to reach those non-Catholics listeners whom we call people of goodwill. The messages of the Pope and the Universal Church of moral and universal nature are addressed to them too.

How do you see the future of the Bulgarian programme of Vatican Radio?
Good. I am sure because the Vatican information is unique but it has a universal character, it is interest-free and sensitive to the needs and concerns of the time. Unlike some international radio-colossi, which decided to close down their Bulgarian sections, Vatican Radio can give a substantial contribution not only to the religious formation of the believers but also provide spiritual and ethnic landmarks on the long road of democracy. All the more so that today Christians in Bulgaria must become aware not only of their responsibility but also of their great potential in order to be active builders of a better and just future. One more thing, despite its age, the Bulgarian programme has a youthful spirit and strives to get younger.