The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU was officially opened in Brussels with Bulgarian classics, folklore and European music

The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union was officially opened at the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels with a concert by the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nayden Todorov, the Vanya Moneva Choir conducted by Vanya Moneva, and with the special participation of the soprano Sonya Yoncheva and the pianist Lyudmil Angelov. The programme included pieces from Bulgarian classics and European music.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Vice President of Bulgaria Iliana Iotova i, the Minister of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union Lilyana Pavlova, the Minister of Culture Boil Banov, representatives of the diplomatic corps and the international institutions in Brussels, and foreign and Bulgarian cultural figures were present at the event.

‘The Bulgarian Presidency is important not only for the Bulgarians and the Balkans, but also for the whole of Europe’, stated Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. He pointed out that we are ready to address the challenges facing the Union united, as is the motto of our country and the Presidency, and that this will give us strength.

In his statement, President Rumen Radev highlighted that it is places like BOZAR that remind us that Europe should not only be rational but spiritual as well.

The Minister of the Bulgarian Presidency Lilyana Pavlova underlined that we speak many different languages, but we do not need a translation for our common culture.

‘The Presidency for us Bulgarians is not just a rotation, it is not just being in the limelight, but rather it is a question of honor, a dream come true. I hope that everyone will feel a bit of our spirit, our world view and our talent this evening’ stated the Minister of Culture Boil Banov.

The Chief Executive Officer of BOZAR Paul Dujardin gave a special welcoming address.