Addresses delivered in the general policy debate by the Head of Delegation at the General Conference

37 session of the General Conference

His Excellency Mr Kristian Vigenin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria

Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 37th session of the General Conference - revised and corrected version of the verbatim records of plenary meetings

36 session of the General Conference - 10th anniversary of the Declaration on Cultural Diversity

His Excellency Mr. Georgi Parvanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria

Keynote Address at the Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Declaration on Cultural Diversity held during the 36th session of the General Conference (posted as received)

36 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mr Serguei Ignatov, Minister of Education, Sciences and Youth

Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 36th session of the General Conference and posted as received

35 session of the General Conference

S.E. M. Marin Raykov, Vice-ministre des Affaires étrangères

“Permettez-moi tout d’abord d’adresser mes remerciements sincères au Directeur général pour sa fidélité aux principes et aux idéaux de l’UNESCO tout au long de ces dix dernières années.”
“Je me félicite de l’élection par le Conseil exécutif de notre candidat, l’Ambassadeur Irina Bokova, à la tête de cette prestigieuse Organisation.”
“(…) En temps de crise, les fonds alloués à la culture sont souvent les premiers revus à la baisse. Liée souvent à des contraintes budgétaires, la crise peut engendrer un certain laxisme face à des actes de négligence, des problèmes du patrimoine culturel, matériel et immatériel. C’est une tentation à combattre et mon Gouvernement s’y emploie sans réserve.”
“(…) La Bulgarie souhaiterait que l’UNESCO s’investisse encore davantage dans un effort visant à mettre en valeur et à promouvoir ce patrimoine qui véhicule un message de forces spirituelles uniques.”
“La Bulgarie s’associe au discours de la présidence suédoise de l’Union Européenne »
“Nous nous félicitons de la place centrale attribuée à l’éducation par rapport aux autres priorités de l’UNESCO, et notamment de l’importance accordée à l’éducation pour tous. L’UNESCO doit cibler son attention sur l’élaboration d’une stratégie globale et compréhensive pour l’éducation à tous les niveaux, sur le développement et la mise en place de systèmes d’enseignement équilibrés, harmonisant les aspirations locales, nationales et globales. A la lumière des objectifs du millénaire pour le développement, nous devons promouvoir l’établissement de liens étroits entre l’éducation pour tous et la Décennie des Nations Unies pour l’éducation en vue du développement durable. Dans le contexte de la priorité Afrique, cette approche n’a pas d’alternative.”
“L’UNESCO doit devenir un leader incontestable favorisant la mobilisation des gouvernements, des institutions spécialisées et de la communauté scientifique au profit des sciences, des innovations et des technologies nouvelles. Les changements climatiques et leurs conséquences pour l’humanité, en particulier pour les pays les moins développés et les petits pays insulaires, parallèlement à la préservation de la biodiversité et les sources en eau sont des défis essentiels à relever par la science. On se doit de leur accorder la place qui leur revient dans les programmes de l’UNESCO, sans oublier les dimensions éthiques de tous les acquis de la science et de la technologie.”
“L’intégration de l’UNESCO dans le cadre « Uni dans l’action » est d’une importance primordiale. Elle doit rendre les activités sur le terrain plus cohérentes et efficaces tout en poursuivant une décentralisation bien structurée.”

34 session of the General Conference - Visit

S.E. M. Georgi Parvanov, Président de la République Bulgare

La Bulgarie salue l’adhésion du Monténégro à l’UNESCO, ainsi que le retour de Singapour dans l’Organisation.
« La Bulgarie est membre de l’UNESCO depuis 50 ans et nous avons une riche coopération. Nous sommes des Européens par notre origine et par notre situation géographique mais des citoyens du monde par notre esprit. Nous avons toujours soutenu et continuons de soutenir les idéaux et les objectifs de l’organisation. »
« En Bulgarie, le nom de l’UNESCO est associé à l’Education pour Tous et au soutien qui est donné aux institutions éducatives scientifiques, à la protection du patrimoine culturel, au respect des valeurs culturelles et de la diversité culturelle comme la condition nécessaire pour un développement durable. » Le pays remercie UNESCO pour toute son aide aux experts et institutions bulgares.
« La lutte avec l’analphabétisme, à l’échelle mondiale, l’accès généralisé pour les adolescents et les enfants à l’éducation, la formation de haute qualité constitue la clé de toutes les autres réponses que nous cherchons. » C’est pourquoi la Bulgarie considère les objectifs de l’Education pour Tous d’ici 2015 comme essentiels.
La Bulgarie est la patrie de l’écriture de la langue slave : en proposant son hospitalité aux disciples de Cyrille et de Méthode, la Bulgarie a su créer les conditions d’existence d’une culture et d’une école littéraire, répandues aujourd’hui bien au-delà du territoire spirituel bulgare.
La Bulgarie soutient l’approche régionale par l’UNESCO dans le domaine de l’éducation, comme chaque Etat a des spécificités qu’il convient de prendre en considération pour des résultats tangibles.
« La Bulgarie, ensemble avec les autres états, fournit des efforts pour transformer des régions de l’Europe du Sud-est en une région de paix et de stabilité où les peuples vivraient dans une atmosphère de confiance et de respect mutuel en coopération étroite avec leurs voisins. »
« Nous, les présidents des pays de l’Europe de l’Est, étions convaincus que l’avenir de la région est étroitement lié à l’avenir commun européen et qu’il n’y a pas d’autres alternatives […] nous avons des objectifs communs et orientés avec une coopération active vers la sécurité et la stabilité, la prospérité économique et une meilleure communication. »
Pour la Bulgarie, l’éducation au patrimoine culturel et historique est un grand pas vers la tolérance interethnique et interreligieuse dans les Balkans et en Europe.
La Bulgarie soutient la Convention sur la protection et la sauvegarde du patrimoine culturel et immatériel adoptée en 2003. De plus, le pays va accueillir la deuxième session extraordinaire du Comité intergouvernemental de protection du patrimoine culturel immatériel en février 2008.
« La Bulgarie envisage la création d’un centre régional pour la protection du patrimoine culturel immatériel sous l’égide de l’UNESCO. Ce centre va réunir les efforts des pays de l’Europe du Sud, de l’Est, de la région de la Mer Noire et de la Méditerranée ainsi que la région du Caucase. »
La Bulgarie participe activement au dialogue interculturel et salue l’initiative pour la création d’une alliance des civilisations, dans laquelle l’UNESCO doit jouer un rôle important.
« La Bulgarie apprécie hautement la détermination de l’UNESCO de s’engager, de s’impliquer dans les problèmes actuels comme le réchauffement global, l’impact des nouvelles technologies, les problèmes éthiques créés par l’évolution des biotechnologies. […] Les initiatives concrètes de l’UNESCO portant sur des recherches et la coopération dans le cadre de la protection de l’environnement méritent notre plein soutien. »
« La Bulgarie continuera à faire des efforts pour encourager les objectifs de l’UNESCO, pour que notre inspiration commune à la paix, à la démocratie, à la coopération, au progrès, deviennent une réalité. »

34 session of the General Conference

S.E. M. Ivailo Kalfin, Vice-premier Ministre et Ministre des Affaires Etrangères

La Bulgarie accueille chaleureusement le Monténégro, dans la grande famille de l’UNESCO et constate avec satisfaction le retour du Singapour.
« La Bulgarie appuie les efforts de l'UNESCO pour l'approfondissement des réformes au système de l'ONU. Nous exprimons notre souhait et notre disponibilité de nous engager davantage aux activités diverses de l’organisation […] C’est d’ailleurs la motivation qui nous a amenée à présenter notre candidature au Conseil exécutif. »
« Les 14 objectifs stratégiques du programme de l'UNESCO, exposés dans la Stratégie à Moyen Terme pour la période 2008 - 2013, sont des fondements solides pour le travail de l'Organisation pendant les cinq années suivantes. Leur focalisation sur l'établissement de la culture de la paix et sur la promotion de la compréhension et du dialogue des hommes, et leur orientation particulière vers le contient africain correspondent à nos aspirations communes. »
La Bulgarie approuve le choix juste et stratégique de cibler l’activité de l’UNESCO sur les régions les moins développées et les groupes les plus vulnérables. Cependant, les systèmes d’enseignement partout dans le monde souffrent d’insuffisances, qui peuvent miner des secteurs économiques entiers ou générer des tensions sociales.
L’UNESCO doit promouvoir une éducation de qualité surtout pour les sciences exactes et les technologies pour augmenter la capacité nationale dans ces secteurs. Ceci est nécessaire pour une modernisation rapide et le développement économique. L’assistance de toute la société est requise pour améliorer la situation matérielle des enseignants et l’élaboration d’une nouvelle stratégie de l’enseignement supérieur.
« La Bulgarie considère aussi les possibilités de promouvoir, avec l'assistance de l'UNESCO, la coopération des pays de la Mer Noire sur les problèmes des écosystèmes côtiers, des réserves de la biosphère et des réserves naturelles, comme un objectif d'importance particulière. »
« Le développement de la connaissance sur le patrimoine historique et la culture doivent devenir un facteur essentiel dans l'élaboration de l'individu de demain, ouvert à la diversité du monde contemporain. […] Le respect de l’identité, de la culture et des traditions de chaque peuple demeure parmi les priorités les plus importantes face à la menace d'uniformisation et de dépersonnalisation. »
La Bulgarie envisage par ailleurs de créer un Centre régional sous l’égide de l’UNESCO pour la protection du patrimoine immatériel de la région du Sud-est européen, de la Mer Noire, du Caucase et de la Méditerranée.
La Bulgarie remercie le Bureau régional de l’UNESCO à Venise pour la science et la culture en Europe pour son assistance et son sens de l’initiative.

Celebration of anniversaries

1,200th anniversary of the birth of Saint Methodius (815-885), creator, with his brother Cyril, of the first Slavic alphabet (Bulgaria, supported by Croatia, Czech Rep., Greece, Montenegro, Russian Federation, Serbia and the FYR of Macedonia)

Co-creator of the Cyrillic alphabet, Saint Methodius is considered as one of the major figures in the history of Bulgaria and the Slavic cultures. With his brother, he translated the Bible into old Slavonic languages and helped disseminate and popularize it; their works also helped the spread of Christianity in the region. Considering its importance nationally and regionally, and its relevance to UNESCO’s ideals and mission, UNESCO could be associated with this anniversary.

100th anniversary of the birth of Professor Tzvetana Romanska, ethnographer (1914-1969) (2014)

The Bulgarian ethnologist Tzvetana Romanska (1914-1969), made her mark through her studies and teaching at the Bulgarian School of Anthropology. She enabled a better understanding and interpretation of the traditions of the Bulgarian people and, more generally, the Slavs. Indeed, her innovative research methods led her to study the traditions of other Slavic peoples.

100th anniversary of the birth of Boris Christoff, opera singer (1914-1993) (2014)

The request concerns the centenary of the birth of Boris Christoff, one of the greatest opera singers (bass) of the twentieth century. His exceptional voice, his subtle interpretation of opera roles and music, together with his stage presence, have made his performances the stuff of musical legend in Europe. For the younger generations, the audio and video recordings that have been preserved are testament to the significance of this great performer, who appeared on the major opera stages of the world.

100th anniversary of the death of Peyo Yavorov, poet and playwright (1878-1914) (2014)

This proposal calls on UNESCO to be associated with the 100th anniversary of the death of the poet Peyo Yavorov, a major Bulgarian author. His role in the development of Bulgarian poetry is undeniable. His many poems have been translated all over the world, thus proving their universality.

100th anniversary of the birth of academician Lyubomir Iliev (1913-2000) (2013)

Lyubomir Iliev was an outstanding mathematician, recognized for his contributions in the field of complex analysis. His work stimulated further investigation of renowned scientists worldwide. His other outstanding achievements were his work as a founder of the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics in Bulgaria – which currently enjoys a high international recognition –, as well as his work as a pioneer of computer science at the national and international levels.

250th anniversary of the Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya by Paisij de Hilendar (1762) (2012)

The book Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya was the first attempt to write a complete history of Bulgaria and to awake and strengthen Bulgarian national consciousnesses. Its most famous author Paisius of Hilendar (1722-1773) was a Bulgarian clergyman. He was based in the Hilendar Monastery in the Holy Mount Athos, but travelled extensively throughout the country and collected a vast amount of references to compile and write his concise and powerful version of Bulgarian history. He is considered as the forefather of the Bulgarian National Revival.

200th anniversary of the birth of Zachary Zograph, representative of Bulgarian Renaissance art (1810–1853) (2010)

Zachary Hristovich Dimitrov (1810-1853), better known as Zahari Zograf (or Zahariy Zograf) is the most famous Bulgarian painter of the Bulgarian National Revival, noted for his church mural paintings and icons and often regarded as the founder of secular art in Bulgaria. He was proclaimed a master at the age of 21 in 1831. Painter of icons and frescos, he has decorated a number of churches and monasteries which are widely admired. Zachary Zograf lived and worked on Mount Athos between 1851 and 1852, where he decorated the outer narthex of the Great Lavra.
Photo legend: Self-portrait

100th anniversary of the birth of Nikola Vaptsarov, poet (1909-1942) (2009)

Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov was born on 7 December 1909 in the town of Bansko. He is among Bulgaria’s most loved poets. His modern yet understanding ideas of humanism transmit universal values.
He is also respected for his antifascist resistance activities which led to his arrest, trial and execution. His most famous book of poems is Motor Songs. Vaptsarov's poems have been translated into more than 40 languages.
In 1952, ten years after his death, Vaptsarov received posthumously the International Peace Award.

100th anniversary of the birth of Lubomir Krastanov, scientist (1908-1977) (2008)

Lubomir Krastanov (1908-1977) is a prominent Bulgarian meteorologist, physical chemist and geophysicist. An important achievement of Lubomir Krastanov was the solving the question of the formation of ice particles in the atmosphere which cause the formation of precipitation products. The scientific and the practical importance of these studies is connected with the formation of cloud elements and precipitation and with the developing of methods for artificial precipitation, for the dispersion of mists or for their stabilization. With Prof. Dimitar Jordanov, he invented a new theory on the turbulence in the substratum of the atmosphere.

100th anniversary of the birth of Rostislav Kaishev, scientist and linguist (1908- 2002) (2008)

Rostislav A. Kaishev is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the theory of crystal nucleation and growth. His research work on two- and three-dimensional nuclei thermodynamics made a significant contribution to the development of the crystal growth theory. He founded the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (1958), and facilitated the birth of two academy institutions in the field of physical chemistry in his country. He was a member or fellow of national and international scientific organizations, including several academies of sciences, and served as Vice-President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics. He worked as a professor and a researcher, and contributed to building an international reputation in the field of crystal growth theory for the Bulgarian School of Physical Chemistry.

100th anniversary of the birth of Marin Goleminov, musician (1908-2000) (2008)

Teacher, violinist, composer and conductor, Marin Goleminov (1908-2000) composed numerous works that have their roots in the melody, metres and rhythm of Bulgarian folk music. His work initiated a music movement in Bulgarian culture marked by the use of Bulgarian traditional music elements interwoven with an original style and vision. He educated generations of Bulgarians. He studied in different countries, Bulgaria, France and Germany. Since 1943, and for over four decades, he had taught music instruments, orchestration, conducting and composition at the State Academy of Music in Sofia. He was elected Rector (1954-1956) and Director of the Sofia Opera (1965-1967). He won the Gottfried von Herder Award of the Vienna University (1976). He joined the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and was promoted to Academician (1989). He died on 19 February 2000 in Espinho, Portugal. His influence spread throughout the region.

100th anniversary of the birth of Emilian Stanev, writer (1907-1979) (2007)

Emilian Stanev is a classic writer of Bulgarian literature. He started out with stories about social reality and went on to develop his literary talent in animal tales and stories and considerations on national history, the history of the Balkans, religious beliefs, and the concept of good and evil. As his works have been translated into several foreign languages, and films based on his novels have been distributed in Europe, Asia and Latin America, he has contributed to the intercultural dialogue of different peoples and civilizations. This commemoration, indicative of the variety of this talented writer’s work, is in line with UNESCO’s programme for the promotion of culture and dialogue among civilizations.

100th anniversary of the death of Marin Drinov, historian (1838-1906) (2006)

Marin Drinov completed his studies in Kiev and Moscow before travelling and working in Austria and Italy. In 1869 he was the co-founder and first chairman of the Bulgarian Learned Society, which was to become the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He worked in the field of Bulgarian language and literature, ethnography and folklore. His works “Historical Review of the Bulgarian church from the beginning until the present day”, “The population of the Balkan Peninsula by the Slavs” and “The southern Slavs and Byzantium in the tenth century” have been translated and are well-known in all Slav countries.

100th anniversary of the birth of Lubomir Pipkov (2004)

Composer and man of letters, Lubomir Pipkov (1904-1974) was also an eminent educator. His music is very popular in the Balkans and is recognized internationally. He is one of the great intellectual figures of Bulgaria.

100th anniversary of the birth of Atanas Dalchev (2004)

Poet and translator, Atanas Dalchev (1904-1978) made a major contribution to bringing world literature to Bulgaria and his work is still instrumental in promoting dialogue among cultures.

Six hundredth anniversary of the death of Evtimi of Tarnovo (2001)

Born between 1320 and 1330, Evtimi of Tarnovo was elected Patriarch of Bulgaria in 1375. A renowned ecclesiastic, he contributed greatly to the development of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. His theological works were of great importance for the spread of literacy, not only in Bulgaria, but also in Serbia and Russia.
Patriarch Evtimi of Tarnovo was the most oustanding personality in Bulgaria in the second half of the fourteenth century. His works are an indispensable source for an understanding of the history of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Orthodox religion in Europe.

Hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Ivan Vazov (9 July 2000)

Ivan Vazov (1850-1921) is the most important modern Bulgarian writer and played a key role in the development of Bulgarian literary style. His work bears the imprint of Bulgarian history and national psychology and the Bulgarian cultural and literary model.

Centenary of the birth of the Bulgarian painter Detchko Ouzounov (22 February 1999).

Ouzounov was a painter and scenographer, master of portraiture, landscape and compositions on a theme; he also worked in the field of monumental art, including mural painting, stained-glass windows and mosaics.
He was an academician, being a member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences, the USSR Academy of Fine Arts, the European Academy of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, and President and Honorary Member of the International Association of Art; many of his works are the property of museums in Paris, Moscow and Budapest, and are to be found in private collections in the United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, etc.
On the occasion of this celebration, the Bulgarian authorities are planning to organize: a travelling exhibition of his works, the publication of articles in various Bulgarian arts and press reviews, and a television documentary on his life.

Centenary of the birth of the Bulgarian writer Dimitar Talev (1 September 1998).

Dimitar Talev is considered to be one of the most famous Bulgarian writers, whose work reflects the struggle of the people and the struggle that his country has waged throughout its history to ensure its independence.
His works have been translated into several European languages and are a milestone in Bulgarian historical development.
The Bulgarian Government plans to organize various events connected with this anniversary, such as: solemn commemorations in Sofia and Blagoevgrad, television programmes on his works, and publication of articles on his life and works.

Hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the Bulgarian writer Christo Botev (25 December 1998).

As a writer and patriot, journalist and combatant for national liberation, Christo Botev is regarded as one of the most popular figures in Bulgaria, who sacrificed his life to his ideal. In his journalism, his standards and outlook matched those of the leading European journalism of his time.
He became famous above all for his poetry, which was translated into several languages, and in particular into French by Paul Eluard. The forceful expression which Botev gave in his art to the great ideas of national and social freedom is universally recognized.
On this occasion, the Bulgarian Government is planning a wide variety of events, including photography and book exhibitions, radio and television broadcasts, recitals in Sofia and Kalofer, etc.

Centenary of the death of the Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov (11 May 1997).

Centenary of the birth of the Bulgarian painter Tsanko Ivanov Lavrenov (24 November 1996).

1300 anniversary of the foundation of the Bulgarian State (1981)