Increased Interest In The Days Of Bulgarian Culture In Senegal
In the representative hall of the University Library of one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Africa - "Sheikh Anta Diop" (UCAD), on December 8, the phototype exhibition of the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs "Bulgarian Monuments Under The Protection Of Unesco" was opened ".
The first Days of Bulgarian Culture are being held in the capital of Senegal, Dakar. The event is with the participation of the host University, the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philologies at the Saint Kliment Ohridski University and the State Institute for Culture.
Greetings at the official opening were given by the Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Social Sciences, Prof. Aliun Badara Kanji, who highlighted the good cooperation between the two universities, which he hopes, will expand.
The director of the library, Abdoulaye Toure, expressed satisfaction with the excellent partnership for the organization of the Days of Bulgarian Culture and emphasized that for the first time, Bulgarian culture is being presented to the Senegalese public through various media formats – exhibition, film and translated literature and criticism.
The director of The State Institute for Culture Snezhana Joveva-Dimitrova emphasized the role of this exhibition in popularizing the cultural, historical and natural Bulgarian heritage around the world, which is one of the sustainable tools of cultural diplomacy.
Prof. Madeleine Danova, dean of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philologies at the University of St. Kliment Ohridski" thanked for the hospitality and support for the development of African studies in Bulgaria and expressed hope that the partnership will deepen. She congratulated all the students present at the opening on the occasion of the student holiday, December 8.
A key role in the implementation of the Bulgarian events in Dakar is played by Prof. Reni Yotova, Delegate representative of the International Organization of Francophonie (IOF) for the teaching of the French language in the world. She pointed out that both countries, as members of the MOF, pursue common goals of supporting culture and education as the main bridges of understanding between peoples.
The event was attended by the ambassadors of Romania, Austria, Rwanda, South Africa, Cuba, Madagascar, Argentina, the delegate of Wallonia-Brussels, the permanent representative of the International Economic and Financial Union of West African Countries, teachers and students, Prof. Danail Danov from the specialty " African Studies", as well as students from the same major at Sofia University, who are part of the "Bulgaria in Africa, Africa in Bulgaria" project.
The trilingual exhibition (French, English and Bulgarian) emphasizes the promotion of the uniqueness and beauty of the Bulgarian monuments included in the list of world cultural and natural heritage sites. It is dedicated to 65 years of Bulgaria's membership in UNESCO and 75 years of the foundation of the organization, presenting 21 panels: 13 information panels and 8 photographic panels with the sites of Bulgaria on the UNESCO list of cultural and natural sites, world heritage monuments, and the photographs are by the great Bulgarian photographer Ivo Hadjimishev.
A short film about the cultural, historical and natural wealth of Bulgaria was shown for all guests, in French, provided by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria.
As part of the program of the Days of Bulgaria in Senegal, a thematic issue of Literary Journal dedicated to Senegalese literature and culture, edited by Prof. Reni Yotova, Literary Journal No. 38, 2-8, was published in Sofia in November 2022, which was presented by Prof. Reni Yotova to the guests, among whom were some of the authors of the translated works of contemporary Senegalese literature.
The exhibition will remain at the University of Dakar until the end of 2022, and is expected to visit other African countries that have already shown interest.