On the Day of St. Patrick, Ireland's National Day, the Sydney Opera House, the Statue of Christ in Rio De Janeiro and the Great Wall of China will be illuminated in green lights as besides Ireland processions dedicated to the holiday will be held in New York, Moscow, Beijing, Berlin.

Since last year the Bulgarian town of Chepelare marks the celebration by illuminating the building of the municipality in green as for more than 20 years there are special friendly relationships between local people and Irish people who each year go skiing there.

For the first time Sofia will celebrate this holiday - you will find out how in the interview of BNR’s radio host Assia Chaneva with Patrick Coleman.

Patrick Coleman serves as Charge d'Affaires at the embassy in Sofia while awaiting the arrival of the new ambassador in June.  He tells us more about himself, how he feels in Bulgaria, what parallels he sees between Ireland and Bulgaria and which are the Irish films during the 20th edition of Sofia international Film Festival, which can be viewed by 31 March.

English: Rossitsa Petcova