/ world today news/ In a special interview for KMG, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria emphasizes that cultural cooperation helps us learn more about each other in the easiest and most accessible way possible, which in turn makes us even more open and tolerant . He is adamant that twinning between Bulgarian and Chinese cities and regions is an extremely good opportunity to expand and diversify the cultural relations between the two countries.
Q. Mr. Minister, the cultural ties between Bulgaria and China have a long history, the cultural traditions of both countries are of mutual interest. Many Chinese are interested in Bulgarian folklore, songs, dances, music, and vice versa – Bulgarians, lovers of Chinese traditional art and culture, are extremely interested in Chinese intangible cultural heritage. In this sense, could you tell us what the current state of Bulgarian-Chinese cultural cooperation is? Moreover, as we know, cultural relations are generally a very important part of mutual contacts between countries all over the world and are the form of the so-called “soft diplomacy” in relations between individual countries?
A. Through the prism of Bulgarian-Chinese relations in the field of culture, I would first like to express a principled opinion. Culture makes today’s dynamic world beautiful and interesting. It is the field where many differences, sights, creative inspiration and ideas are exchanged. It helps us learn more about each other in the easiest and most accessible way possible, and this makes us even more open and tolerant. A concerted and consistent effort must be made to affirm the role of culture as an essential part of international relations, a role that places it high on our political agenda.
In the context of the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and China, there is a solid legal and regulatory framework that regulates cultural cooperation, of course the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Cooperation in the Field of Culture, signed on May 6, is fundamental 1987. Followed by the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on mutual creation of cultural centers, signed on November 12, 2015 in Sofia, ratified on June 9, 2016.
It is also important to point out the currently active Program for cooperation in the field of culture between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China for the period 2021-2024, signed on February 9, 2021 in Beijing. It is a comprehensive and wide-ranging program that has the ambition to cover as many potential areas of interaction as possible. And of course, it reflects and deserves a place for cooperation in the field of folk art. Let me outline these areas of cooperation:
· Cooperation in the field of music and dance art: exchange of tours of individual performers and dance ensembles, participation in music, ballet, dance and folklore festivals organized on the territory of each of the countries.
· Cooperation in the field of fine arts: implementation of direct cooperation between museums, art galleries and institutions engaged in the study, protection and conservation of movable cultural assets. We offer, on a reciprocal basis, the exchange of art (contemporary art), craft exhibitions, photo documentary exhibitions and exhibitions of artistic photography. Support for the participation of artists and art critics from both countries in exhibitions, symposia, seminars, international workshops, etc. depending on the financial capabilities of the parties;
· Cooperation in the field of research and preservation of cultural heritage: implementation of joint projects for dissemination, preservation, restoration and management of cultural heritage, exchange of information to facilitate the return of illegally exported cultural values from both countries, implementation of cooperation in the field of preservation of cultural heritage through the exchange of specialists, information and experience. In this regard, I can say that the Chinese side is particularly interested in exhibiting Bulgaria’s Thracian treasures in China and has already held several meetings in the Ministry of Culture with the line directorates with a view to preliminary research into the conditions for organizing such a large-scale exhibition.
Cooperation in the field of books and book publishing: assistance in the translation, publication and distribution of artistic and scientific works by authors of the other side, exchange of experience and information in the field of conservation and restoration of written monuments, encouragement of publishing institutions to participate in international book fairs;
· Cooperation in the field of cinema: organization of Bulgarian and Chinese Cinema Days, participation, if possible, in film festivals held in both countries;
· Cooperation in the field of folk art: inviting professional and amateur ensembles to participate in international festivals and competitions held in both countries;
· Cooperation in the field of theater and circus art: exchange of puppet shows, participation of Bulgarian artists in international circus festivals in China.
Q. Could you comment on the cultural cooperation between Bulgaria and China in the context of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, the 10th anniversary of which we are celebrating this year, as well as within the framework of the Cooperation Mechanism between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe /CIE
A. The mechanism for cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe / CEE is a format for dialogue and interaction between the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and China, with an emphasis on trade and economic relations, investments, culture, education, science and tourism. It is important to note that this Mechanism offers very good opportunities for an open conversation on a number of issues of mutual interest and Bulgaria is making efforts to strengthen its position within its framework. Let me remind you that Sofia hosted the meeting of the ministers of culture from the countries of the mechanism in 2015. During this forum, a Declaration was adopted, in which three main priorities for cultural cooperation were identified:
-current challenges in the management of cultural heritage and the exchange of cultural values;
– creating the necessary conditions for the wider opening of international markets for the cultural and creative industries;
– promoting the mobility of artists and the exchange of works of contemporary art.
Other documents providing the general framework for interaction are the Hangzhou Declaration, signed in September 2017 by China and the CEE countries, as well as the Guidelines for Cooperation in the Field of Culture and the Arts. Bulgaria accedes to the Declaration and guidelines, and this is indicative of its interest in cooperation within the framework of this Mechanism.
The Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria is pleased to note the support and efforts of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism in organizing annual events in China or in other countries within the framework of the Cooperation Mechanism in the field of arts, intangible cultural heritage, literature, cultural industries, etc. .n. Bulgaria strives to actively participate in them and contributes to the exchange of ideas and good practices. We also have good contacts over the years and in cultural cooperation and exchange within the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, the anniversary of which is being celebrated this year.
Q. In your opinion, what could be the main directions and areas where there is potential and can be considered to increase the cultural exchange between the two countries, create platforms to promote the exchange of information in the context of cultural ties and the exchange of experience? Can you give us some specific examples?
A. Both in the optimization of Bulgaria’s bilateral relations with different countries of the world, and in the realization of cultural exchange with China, the Bulgarian side has a concept of promoting cultural relations and strengthening the exchange of information, knowledge, experience and good practices. Here is the place for me to outline some highlights related to the perspectives and efforts that the ministry makes related to the development of Bulgarian-Chinese cooperation in the field of culture at the governmental level: The Ministry of Culture assists in establishing direct contacts between the cultural institutes of the two countries, with a view to expanding, renewing and diversifying bilateral cooperation; Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our embassy in Beijing, the Ministry of Culture strives to exchange information on international cultural events taking place in both countries and facilitates the exchange of invitations to participate; Our Ministry also attaches great importance to the exchange of official visits in order to promote cooperation.
We intend to propose to the Chinese side the start of negotiations at the working level to develop the texts of a new bilateral cultural cooperation program between the two countries (after the expiration of the current one).
There are prospects for the development of cooperation on a regional scale as well (at the level of municipalities in Bulgaria and provinces in China). Twinning between Bulgarian and Chinese cities is an extremely good opportunity to expand and diversify the cooperation in the field of culture between the local authorities of the two countries. In order to have practical results for the Bulgarian-Chinese relations, a priority for our country should be to study the possibilities for twinning with the Chinese provinces and cities.
During the last four months of this year, the Ministry of Culture assisted the visit to Bulgaria of two delegations from Chinese provinces. The delegation of Jiangxi province, led by the governor of the province, visited Bulgaria in the period 18-21 September of this year, holding a fruitful and friendly meeting in MK with the deputy minister of culture arch. Chavdar Georgiev.
And very recently, at the beginning of December, the vice-governor of Zhejiang Province was in Bulgaria, and one of the main reasons for the visit was the organization of a tourist forum at the Chinese Cultural Center.
According to information from our embassy in China, the opportunities for cooperation in the field of culture and tourism between Bulgaria and Zhejiang province are practically endless, and we hope that through this visit of the Chinese delegation, we will create fruitful and efficient contacts for the implementation of future projects.
C. In 2017, the first Chinese Cultural Center was opened in Sofia, which until recently was the only one for the CEE countries and which is already developing serious activity, organizing various initiatives related to the promotion of Chinese art and culture. What can the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria offer to promote Bulgarian culture and art in different forms and ways in China?
A. Yes, that’s right, on November 24, 2017, the Chinese Cultural Center was officially opened in Sofia. It is the first cultural institute of its kind not only in Bulgaria, but also in Central and Southeastern Europe. I am happy to note that the center is developing an active and diverse activity. It hosts exhibitions, book presentations, courses in Chinese language, calligraphy, fine arts, martial arts, etc.
The center provides opportunities for mutual exchange and presentation of both Chinese culture and Bulgarian artists.
Unfortunately, however, the Bulgarian side has not yet opened its own cultural center in Beijing due to objective reasons – insufficient financial resources and limitations in the disclosure of staff numbers and the subsequent construction and strengthening of administrative capacity. However, this does not mean that the promotion of Bulgarian culture in China has stopped and is not taking place. The creation of a Bulgarian center in Beijing and the deployment of activities are compensated by the events organized locally by our embassy in Beijing and the Consulate General in Shanghai, which the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture supports as best it can. Sometimes, however, it is possible that the geographical distance between the two countries prevents the implementation of larger and more diverse initiatives and projects.
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