Official presentation of the book "Cultural Diplomacy of Bulgaria" by ULSIT doctoral student Julian Shkodrov
Bishop Sionis presented the author, on behalf of the Bulgarian Patriarch Neofit, a prayer diptych with the image of Christ and the Mother of God of Kazan
The official presentation of the book "Cultural Diplomacy of Bulgaria" with author Julian Shkodrov brought together the spiritual, intellectual, and political elite, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps in the National Library "St. Cyril and Methodius".
Among the event's guests was the abbot of the Troyan and Bachkov stavropegial holy monasteries - His Eminence the Bishop Sionis of Velic, Prof. Stoyan Denchev DSc, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ULSIT, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Rector of UNWE. The presenter was Boyan Avramov, and a special presentation of the author and his work was made by Prof. Evgeniy Sachev DSc.
"This book has a secular character, but deeply in it are laid the spirituality, fraternal love, peace, consensus, and the good of all people," said Bishop Sionis.
He commented that the presentation of such a book requires the high respect and attention of every citizen.
"Each new book is a new light, a new grace, a joy for Bulgaria, and a confirmation of modern Bulgarian writers!"
His Eminence the Bishop Sionis of Velic
Bishop Sionis presented the author, on behalf of the Bulgarian Patriarch Neofit, a prayer diptych with the image of Christ and the Kazan Mother of God - the patroness of the Samara flag, the patroness of the Bulgarian militia, with the wish that the gift be a blessing for the author, his home, and for everyone his friends. Credit for this gift is Shkodrov's affinity, support, and love for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
During the event, the guests had the opportunity to enjoy a performance of "Izlel e Delho Haidutin" by the "Great Bagpipes" at the Episcopal Vicarage in Asenovgrad, led by Stefan Yanev.
"For the first time, with this book, a successful attempt has been made to present not only the history but also the contribution of Bulgarian diplomats in the field of cultural diplomacy."
Prof. Evgeniy Sachev
"In addition to the assessments and consultations, proposals were made for the creation of a new model, a new model for managing this extremely important and priority activity in our foreign policy,'' commented Prof. Evgeniy Sachev. He added that for the first time, a personnel officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria is engaged so thoroughly in exploratory and research activities in this area.
"Without the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, without our Orthodox culture, we cannot take a step forward. Only the mutually exclusive model of work of all cultural, educational, and educational institutions, with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, is a basic factor for the sustainable development of our society, state, and nation. This is emphasized and brought out in Julian Shkodrov's book as a priority task'', noted Prof. Sachev and emphasized that the book covers the relationship between national security and cultural diplomacy for the first time.
A congratulatory address to the author of the book was also sent on behalf of President Rumen Radev. Shkodrov emphasized the fact that cultural diplomacy is vital both for Bulgaria and for Europe, for the world, because it is a major factor in building a nation and a state.
"The book describes facts from the 5th and 7th centuries, about the Middle Ages and the period after the Liberation of Bulgaria. Great personalities and statesmen, members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are described", explained the author.
"With this book, as I lay the foundations for new, plans, I want us all to unite not only in Bulgaria but in Europe and the world, because culture is the one that will lead to the long-awaited peace in a comprehensive aspect."
Julian Shkodrov
Let us all change and work together for the unification of the nation, the state, Europe, and the world. Let's create, build, and create all together and above all to build in the new world'', added Julian Shkodrov. According to him, only in this way will we be able to sift the cultural-historical, educational-intellectual, and spiritual identity of Bulgaria.
About the author
Julian Shkodrov is a chief specialist in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria. He was born in 1978 in Sofia. In 2020, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in "Library Science and Bibliography" at the University of Library Science and Information Technology. In 2023, he graduated with a master's degree in "Cultural Interactions and Cultural Policies in Southeast Europe". His doctoral dissertation is on "Formation of cultural diplomacy as part of Bulgaria's foreign policy from the mid-1950s to 1991". Julian Shkodrov is a member of the public council of the National Library "St. Cyril and Methodius" and the Union of Thracian Societies in Bulgaria.
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