There is a young Bulgarian woman in Rome who fascinates all her interlocutors with her rich culture, artistic flair and sharp intelligence. And most of all, with the energy and optimism nurtured by her big love – the love for Bulgaria. Her name is Zhana Yakovleva and she is the head of the Bulgarian Cultural Centre in a process of building in the Italian capital. The establishment of a cultural centre as a non-governmental institution looks like an impossible task, yet one fully worth of the uphill work it requires, Zhana believes and has already come closer to the final stretch in attaining her dream – that the centre would open its doors before Bulgaria's accession to the European Union in 2007, to become a splendid window display of Bulgaria in the very heart of Rome, where Bulgaria's culture would shine as a precious jewel.

The initiative seems impossible
Yet it has already reached its final stage. The idea for a cultural centre was born two years ago. It originated spontaneously or as Zhana says: “Walking through a magnificent city like Rome, and being a Bulgarian you realize that you are in want of a place where you can meet with your friends and where Bulgaria would be present with all its beauty. Bulgaria, which you miss so much. It is then that you realize such a place simply does not exist. And you feel the pain. The pain that Bulgaria still remains undiscovered and unknown as a nation. And if eventually something draws attention, it most often has negative connotations. Yet, our culture, although the culture of a small nation, is a part of the European one. We have an incredible number of things to be proud of. These things, however, remain unknown to the Italians. And we can only blame ourselves.”

Zhana set out on an ambitious endeavour – that of creating a non-governmental cultural centre. Her friends and collaborators – Diana Bazieva, Daniel Vladimirov, Alex Botev, and the Italian national Domenico Caporale, supported her and joined hands to establish the Phoenix Association.

Two years of uphill work
Two years of uphill work for papers and permits are by no means a short period of time. Yet nothing is impossible if you possess the revivalists' spirit. In 2004, Zhana and her friends were received by Todor Stoyanov, the Bulgarian Consul at the Embassy in Rome. They shared their idea for a non-governmental cultural centre, which they envisioned as “a window display, a Bulgarian club, featuring the country in all its glory”. The Consul lent them a helping hand; they received the support of Ambassador Nikola Kaludov. “They outlined the directions, we drafted the programme. Together with the press attachI of the Embassy, Daniela Koleva, we prepared and submitted our request to the Municipality of Rome. After a certain time, which seemed to us years, the request was granted. Recently a new Consul, Mrs. Ermelina Peycheva, was appointed to the Bulgarian Embassy and we are truly glad that she, too, took to heart our idea and has provided us with her support. It is sad there are no state-set cultural centres in many capitals around the world. If one day the Bulgarian government decides to open one in Rome, we will not act as its competitors. I rather hope we will be working hand in hand.”

A fragment of the Vatican Wall
Also known as the Leonine Wall (Muro Leonile), after the name of the Pope during whose reign it was built, the wall is one of Rome's historical landmarks. “We, together with all Bulgarian nationals, will have the honour to transform a part of it into our cultural centre, preserving its authentic appearance, of course. Thinking about the incredibility of all this, I realize nothing comes by chance. We invested all our love in fascinating the Italians and showing them Bulgaria is an unknown jewel. They responded accordingly by giving us another small jewel that we should preserve and nurture.

We received from the Municipality of Rome the official documents for the establishment of the centre in June this year. Since we are an NGO, the opportunities for state support are limited. However, I must admit I am received with open arms and meet approval wherever I go in Bulgaria. I hope we will be able to find the right road to success together and inaugurate our centre prior to Bulgaria's accession to the EU.”

Days of Bulgarian Culture
The centre will be hosted in the premises of a building that has not been renovated for years. Well aware of the related difficulties, the Municipality of Rome made a second gesture. It proposed the organization of Bulgarian Culture Days on February 26 – March 1. “This will provide us with the opportunity to showcase our beloved Bulgaria through its culture. With that end in view, the Municipality placed at our disposal two wonderful halls free of charge: one of them belongs to a jazz club, and the municipality owns the other. I am convinced that thanks to the Culture Days and the support of the Italian media we will be able to raise funds for the repairs. I believe that when many Bulgarians and a lot of Italians who love Bulgaria gather in one place, they are destined to succeed."

The Programme
Zhana Yakovleva and her collaborators from the Phoenix Association are already discussing the programme. They would like to invite to Rome all worthy citizens and artists of Bulgaria. Four days would not suffice for such an endeavour; but in the coming years they will most probably succeed.

What will they present to the citizens of Rome initially? “...Most certainly there will be an exhibition of paintings, an exhibition of small plastics. We would like to present Bulgarian poetry, Bulgarian literature, which are totally unknown in Italy. Even such a simple thing as a Bulgarian dictionary cannot be found in Rome! We would like to include a performance so that we can show the best of our music. At the moment the Italians have great interest in Bulgarian ethnic jazz. We also need ideas. I don't know to what extent the fruit of my imagination falls within the scope of tangible realization. I live in Italy and I have been away from Bulgaria for 12 years. When I am back in Sofia, I try to assimilate all information available, yet I do not know if this is the best or the right thing. This is why I am looking forward to the collaboration of each and every friend, colleague, cultural worker. I am ready to embrace all interesting ideas."

Zhana says that the members of her association tend to believe more in the spiritual than in the material. When it comes to endevours like this, however, the material aspect is not unimportant. “Rome Municipality will possibly allot partial sponsorship to the days in its 2006 budget. I received the assurance of Sofia Municipality Culture Department that we will have its support as well. I also rely on our ministries – of culture, of foreign affairs, of education. Because we are doing this in the name of Bulgaria!"

The Bulgarians in Rome
We cannot command respect in the Italians if we do not respect ourselves. “I must admit that in the last three years, after H. E. Mr. Nikola Kaludov took office as Bulgaria's Ambassador to Rome, the Embassy has become my second home. I will never forget how in 1998 a group of Bulgarians, waiting for documents, were left like outcasts in the pouring rain while the neighbouring Polish mission opened doors to shelter its people.

Today, the Bulgarians and the Embassy in Rome enjoy very good contacts. One of the numerous examples in point was the inauguration of Petko Voyvoda's monument on December 2, 2004. So many people came from Bulgaria with buses, flags! The event was also attended by Bulgarians living in Rome, and by the Embassy staff as well. It was touching to see a monument to a Bulgarian revolutionary rise at the top of the Eternal city. Every day at 12 o'clock the cannons fire a salvo and each and every Bulgarian feels truly proud! In a moment like this, one thinks: “We, too, have given something to the world!”

A Bulgarian exhibition or a Bulgarian concert can bring forth similar exclamations. Such events will be in the focus of the future centre. So that Bulgarian culture can shine with its glamour and glory. For the Bulgarians in Rome. As well as for the Italians, who get so easily infected. Zhana is convinced: “If we succeed in presenting the information about ourselves with our heads proudly up and not feel embarrassed, we will succeed. Then the entire world will respect us for our glorious history, rich culture, and wonderful cuisine... We should look back into our past to extend a courtesy to the future."