Text and photos: Juan David Latorre
The new Bulgarian ambassador, Todor Stoyanov, celebrated the Republic’s National Day last Tuesday with a reception for the Diplomatic Corps and the Bulgarian community in Madrid.
“Today, Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and NATO; it is a free, sovereign, and prosperous country,” the Bulgarian ambassador stated. “I am proud that, following our country’s accession to the Schengen Area in 2025, Bulgaria will also be a member of the Eurozone from January 1, 2026, thus fully completing its political and economic integration into our great European family,” he remarked.
Todor Stoyanov then offered a brief overview of Bulgarian history, noting that “it is an ancient country that, since its founding in 681, has retained its name unchanged. Throughout its millennia-long history, it has forged its own state, culture, and literary tradition, occupying a prominent place in European civilization. Its history has been marked by decisive events, periods of splendor, and also difficult times that have not broken it, but rather served to affirm its national identity and religious independence, making it a center of cultural and spiritual influence with a key contribution to the development of European civilization.”
Ambassador Stoyanov continued his speech by emphasizing “the excellent state of relations between Bulgaria and Spain, which have steadily developed since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries 116 years ago. Today, Bulgaria and Spain are more than partners and friends: they are faithful and loyal allies within the European Union and the Euro-Atlantic framework, sharing common values and a common vision. Political dialogue at the highest level is active and substantial, which undoubtedly has a positive impact on all areas of our bilateral relations.”
“Beyond political, economic, and commercial ties,” the Bulgarian ambassador continued, “our two states are united by even stronger bonds: human ones. The hundreds of thousands of Bulgarians who live in Spain today contribute to making Bulgaria more recognizable and approachable. Spain is home to the second largest Bulgarian diaspora in Europe. This community, successfully integrated not only thanks to its undeniable work ethic and human qualities, but also with the support of our Spanish friends, has become the most natural bridge between our peoples. With more than 50 Bulgarian associations and 53 Sunday schools actively promoting the Bulgarian language, culture, and traditions, the Bulgarians living here are the best ambassadors for Bulgaria in Spain.”
The ambassador emphasized that Bulgaria, throughout its more than thirteen centuries of existence, “has always distinguished itself by its constant veneration of culture in all its dimensions. One of the cultural fields in which our country has produced artists who have reached the highest global peaks is bel canto. Raina Kabaivanska, Ghena Dimitrova, Boris Christoff, Nicolai Ghiaurov, and Nicola Ghiuselev are just a few of the constellation of great Bulgarian figures in world operatic art.”
As in the reception held last year, the Bulgarian Embassy collaborated with the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Rome, a prestigious center for the development of young talent, to present a selection of masterpieces of world classical opera, performed by students of the “Boris Christoff” Academy, pianist Ilia Lozanov, sopranos Deyana Savova and Vihra Smilkova, and tenor Juan Noval Moro.
