The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Bulgaria H.E. Ms. Jasna Ognjanovac talked about the power of cultural diplomacy. The event took place on 25 February and was organized by the “Prof. Alexander Fol” Institute of Balkan Studies with Centre of Thracology in the framework of the “Cultural Diplomacy in the Balkans in the 20th and 21st Centuries: achievements, problems, challenges and the way forward” project.
The Vice-President of BAS Prof. Emmanuel Moutafov and the Scientific Secretary of the “Cultural Heritage and National Identity” division Assoc. Prof. Mario Ivanov attended the lecture. Prof. Moutafov congratulated the organizers and participants in the meeting. “I appreciate the efforts made by Sen. Asst. Prof. Alexandra Milanova, PhD for this event and for the whole project she is leading. She is among the most promising young scientists at BAS”, Prof. Moutafov said.
Н.E. Jasna Ognjanovac outlined her views on the development of cultural diplomacy which are based on her long experience as Ambassador in different countries. “Culture is the most direct way to get to know each other as nations. I came to Bulgaria five years ago without knowing anything about your country but now I am captivated by the culture, nature and kindness of Bulgarians,” Her Excellency said. As an example of the good relations between Bulgaria and Croatia, she pointed to the long-standing successful cooperation between scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. An interesting element in the meeting-discussion was the presence of a Bulgarian student who played the role of shadow Ambassador of the First Lady of Croatian diplomacy in our country.
The next event of “The Soft Power of Cultural Diplomacy” series will take place on 11 March at BAS-Administration again. The Institute of Balkan Studies with Center for Thracology of BAS in institutional partnership with the State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria is organizing a series of public meetings-discussions on cultural diplomacy in Bulgaria and the Balkans.
