The Francophonie is crossing frontiers

21 March 2014 News

"The Francophonie is of a significant importance for Central and Eastern Europe, given that almost all countries in the region are members of it, for which we have special merit. The cooperation within this organization, based upon democracy, human rights, tolerance, cultural and linguistic diversity and sustainable development, has contributed to strengthening the dialogue and to some extent to the fall of the borders separating our cultures," said Kristian Vigenin at today’s opening of the International Conference "Francophonie and frontiers" which was part of the MFA events celebrating the International FrancophonieDay.

Minister Vigenin welcomed the choice of conference topic that touches all aspects of the Francophonie - geographical, geopolitical, socialand intellectual,as well asthe cultural and social messages, carried by the OIF. "Usually when we talk about frontiers, it is in the context of security policies, but today we are discussing the ways to overcome them through the founding ideasof the OIF. The concept of frontiers is related to the principles we should always fight for and stick to in order topreservethe stability, namely dialogue, peace and diplomatic solutions," said the Bulgarian Foreign Minister.

A welcoming speech to the conference participants was delivered bythe French Ambassador to Bulgaria Xavier de Cabanes, who is also a Chairman of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors. 25 years ago the borders disappeared with the fall of the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall. The frontiers were removed also in the EU, and this is applicable also for the Schengen area which I am convinced that Bulgaria will join soon, said Ambassador de Cabanes. In his words, however, new frontiers have appeared very close to us. "Borders are no longer only points crossed, but barriers between people," said the French diplomat and urged not to forget the core values of the Francophonie.

Welcoming words to the participants were said also by Reni Yotova, representative of OIF in Bulgaria, Iliana Yotova, MEP from the Socialists and Democrats Group, and Angel Cholakov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaryof the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of France. "Solidarity allows to rethink the world and to overcome stereotypes that divide us ," said in her statement Reni Yotova.

"In the age of globalizationsome say that the French language is threatened, but it is a living matter that brings people together. For such a language horizons are always open,"said MEP Iliana Yotova. Ambassador Angel Cholakov defined the Francophonie as an area of solidarity, emphasizing that it contributes to the development of the international multilateral cooperation.

The MFA program of celebrations of the International Francophonie Day, includes the exhibition "Paris - fairy magic" by Milena Jojic (Bulgaria) and Anne De Colbert Christophorov (France), organized by the State Cultural Institute to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the"Paris - Moscow" art gallery in Sofia.

"This exhibition is yet another proof that art has the power to rally and unite, that there are no limits to it. From the standpoint of the present day and the challenges we face, the Francophonie is not only a process of cultural interaction between the countries and the people involved in it. Through it, we can andwe must protect the highest human values - democracy, religious tolerance, respect for diversity, "said Minister Kristian Vigenin at the opening of the exhibition.

At the opening of the exhibition "Paris - fairy magic" participated also the Director of the State Institute for Culture Lyudmila Dimitrova, the Head of the Centre for Slavo-Byzantine Studies "Prof. Ivan Dujčev" – Prof.Aksinia Djurova. Special guests were the authors of the exhibition Milena Jojic and Anne De Colbert Christophorov.

With its color and beauty, the exhibition carries messages for a better and peaceful world. It can be part of the debate about the borders, the intercultural communication, the points of intersection, said Lyudmila Dimitrova. For her part, Prof. Djurova said that today's event shows the multi-faceted culture of the European Community, which is based on preserving the identity of each of the imbedded cultures and traditions.

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