In 2020 Radio Bulgaria has strengthened its contacts with Bulgarians living abroad. We found out that no matter how far away they live, they all hold Bulgaria deep in their hearts. These people are mainly connected with their homeland by the holidays and traditions typical for every Bulgarian home. Bulgaria is where our people gather - in small restaurants and cafes, or in bookstores where books in Bulgarian can be found. The longer they lived abroad, the stronger the excitement that fills their souls when they hear a Bulgarian speech.

"What Bulgarians miss the most abroad is the Bulgarian language. Their childhood memories are connected with it," said Margarita Lazarova, who has lived in Southern Italy for 20 years. In her spare time she writes tales about Bulgarian children and sends them to the children of emigrants in different countries around the world. She is driven by the idea that young Bulgarians should feel and preserve that warmth and purity in the relations the nation has kept for centuries. In Radio Bulgaria’s interview with Margarita Lazarova you will find words of pride of the kindness, honesty and nobility of our compatriots abroad:

Along with their honesty and diligence, Bulgarians take their experience, knowledge and talent abroad. Designer Mylèna Atanassova is one of our compatriots with exceptional global recognition, with whom we met this year.

Her works are appreciated by top designers from the world of haute couture such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and even Karl Lagerfeld, who evaluated highly a master class held by the Bulgarian designer in Paris. Mylèna Atanassova grew up in a family with modest means, but her family, in which fine beauty and elegance had always been valued, gave her the impetus for the sublime in fashion.

Another compatriot Tanya Kostova accepts her life in the United States as her mission, because she unites Bulgarian emigrants in California and other states with her initiatives.

"I had often thought that I would always bear my love for Bulgaria and the Bulgarians, the knowledge of Bulgarian history, way of life and spirit, but no one would pay attention to it. But it so happened that I met these people and we became like communicating vessels”, Tanya Kostova said in an interview for Radio Bulgaria. You can learn more details about the Antika Bulgaria Folk Dance Ensemble and Cultural Club in San Francisco and the weekend family school named “Martenitsi” in the following interview:

The Bulgarian language and traditions are preserved by the descendants of our old emigrant communities. This is typical for the Bulgarians in Moldova and Ukraine, but we also found a strong connection between the Bulgarians in Kazakhstan and their ancestral homeland. About 4,500 Bulgarians live in this transcontinental country. They know that their ancestors settled into the wild Kazakh Steppe at the beginning of the 20th century and created two prosperous villages there. The locals taught them how to build dugouts from clay and straw. Their homes were always well maintained and kept their clean and whitewashed.

Bulgarians in Kazakhstan feel strong connection with Bulgaria, although they have never set foot on Bulgarian territory.You can learn more details from ethnic Bulgarian Valentina Shatova who heads the Bulgarian Zdravets ethno cultural center in Pavlodar:

Written by: Gergana Mancheva

English version: Kostadin Atanasov