A Large Audience Gathered in the Mission Gallery for the Presentation Of a Book From the Writing Diplomats Program
On March 30, the premiere of the book "The Hidden Charm of Cyprus" with author Hristo Georgiev, diplomat and writer, took place in the crowded space of the "Mission" gallery. The event was organized by the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs and University Publishing House "St. Kliment Ohridski". The presentation of the book is part of the well-established program of the State Cultural Institute "Writing Diplomats", through which new literary works with authors of current or former diplomats are promoted as a tool of cultural diplomacy.
The event was attended by a diverse audience, including diplomats, literary critics, journalists and friends of the author, and a special guest was H.E. Joel Meyer - Ambassador of France to Bulgaria. The publication was presented by three Bulgarian diplomats, who during their careers were ambassadors of the Republic of Bulgaria in Cyprus: H.E. Petar Vodenski (Ambassador of Bulgaria in Cyprus 2005-2009), H.E. Krasimir Stefanov (Ambassador of Bulgaria in Cyprus 2001-2005) and HE Veselin Valchev (Ambassador of Bulgaria in Cyprus 2009-2014). Each of them talked about their experience and experiences as diplomats in this country and shared interesting and important moments of their professional stay in the island country.
In his speech, the author of the book H.E. Hristo Georgiev, who was also ambassador to Cyprus, shared that the book is a fascinating journey among the natural beauties and historical sights of the island, an attempt to gain insight into the destiny - ancient and modern - of Cyprus. He emphasized that the book is a subjective narrative that reflects his personal impressions and experiences, his meetings with Cypriot statesmen and politicians, with religious figures, with people of culture, with ordinary inhabitants of the island. The book is perhaps the only publication in Bulgaria that presents such a vivid and comprehensive picture of Cyprus, painted with mastery and love, with skill and insight.
Hristo Georgiev was born in 1952 in Veliko Tarnovo - a long-time employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He held various diplomatic positions - minister plenipotentiary and ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary in Belgium and Luxembourg, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary in Cyprus, director of various directorates in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, secretary general of the National Commission for UNESCO.