The Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute was represented by Ms. Mihaela Ilieva, Chief Expert at the Public Affairs and Cooperation Department, at a meeting with history students from the Free University of Brussels (ULB), organised by the State Institute for Culture.
The students, led by Mr. Jeremy Lambert, Director of International Relations at the Centre for Fine Arts – BOZAR, Brussels, are undertaking a 10-day educational study trip across the Balkans as part of the course The Historian and the Social Demand.
The programme focuses on exploring different historical narratives and manifestations of statehood and national identity, the place of minorities, as well as the ways in which historical heritage is understood and interpreted.
During the meeting, Mr. Yavor Koinakov, Acting Director of the State Institute for Culture, presented its activities, as well as its work on the museum exhibition “The Jewish Street – Reconstruction”, the “Cyril and Methodius European Cultural Route”, and cultural cooperation with the Western Balkans.
Ms. Mihaela Ilieva presented the activities of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute and highlighted the initiatives implemented by the Institute within the framework of the project “Strategic Cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway in Support of Bulgaria’s International Commitments to Combat Antisemitism and Preserve Jewish Heritage” (2021–2023). She also presented the successful cooperation with the Alef Centre for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation in Burgas, including the Institute’s support for the organisation of the International Literary and Film Festival “Whoever Saves One Life, Saves the Entire Universe”. As part of this cooperation, the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute presents an award, on behalf of its Director, for a study visit to the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute.
The visit aims to raise young people’s awareness of the diplomatic service, career development opportunities, human rights issues, the fight against antisemitism, and the preservation of Jewish cultural heritage, as part of Bulgaria’s commitments under the National Action Plan for Combating Antisemitism (2023–2027).
We thank our colleagues at the State Institute for Culture for the invitation and cooperation.
