site.btaBTA Hosts Bulgarian Media Abroad Exhibition

The Bulgarian Media Abroad Exhibition was opened at the Bulgarian News Agency's (BTA) building here on Monday. It consists of over 80 photographs and archive materials, presenting the work of Bulgarian language media abroad. 

There are 45 Bulgarian media abroad in 22 countries on all continents, except for Africa and Antarctica. The oldest one is half a century old, while the newest one is just a year old, said BTA Director General Kiril Valchev during the exhibition's opening. 

The exhibition was staged in Parliament's building in July. 

The exhibition's opening at BTA is part of the agenda of the 17th World Meeting of Bulgarian Media, which will take place in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv November 1-2. 

"We will talk about the media and salvation, about the rescue of almost 50,000 Bulgarian Jews 80 years ago by the Bulgarian State, Church and people. We will talk about what may be our salvation, modern media and the modern world of the Internet with the freely roaming lies and how we can save the truth in media," said Kiril Valchev, adding that the meeting will take place at the holiest of places for the Bulgarian Orthodox people - Jerusalem. 

Israeli Ambassador to Bulgaria Yoram Elron congratulated the Bulgarian News Agency on initiating the exhibition, which incorporates photographs from 22 countries. 

"Two years ago Bulgaria and Israel marked an important milestone: thirty years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries. On that occasion, the [Israeli] Embassy presented an exhibition of photography “The Colours of Bulgaria and Israel” by Ladislav Tzvetkov," he said.

"This week, as we all know, the World meeting of the Bulgarian media, organized by the Bulgarian News Agency, will take place in Israel, which has been chosen as a venue for this most important event. Next year we will be marking a most significant milestone: 80 years since the salvation of Bulgarian Jews. A unique and remarkable chapter of World War II, as one nation stood up, during history’s darkest hour, to prevent the deportation of all of its Jewish countrymen to the extermination camps in Eastern Europe. Most of those Jews emigrated to Israel after its inception, yet remain very proud of their Bulgarian ancestry," Ambassador Elron said.

"These are three separate events that have a one clear common denominator: they all portray the unique relationship between Bulgaria and Israel, two countries linked together by historic, long-lasting bonds of friendship between its peoples. Serving as an Israeli Ambassador to Bulgaria has always been and will continue to be a special privilege," he said.

The Israeli diplomat wished all the participants in the World meeting of the Bulgarian Media much success in their deliberations and a most wonderful stay in Israel. 

Prof. Alexander Oscar, President of the Shalom Organization of Jews in Bulgaria, said that journalists are the modern-day awakeners and protectors of truth. "In the world of social media, it is crucial that we find a way and the strength to preserve the truth, so it can reach the people. That is why your role is crucial," he said. 

The Monday exhibition was also attended by Mr. Melamed, Chair of the American Jewish organization in Bulgaria and Representatives of Bulgarian media.

The World Meeting of Bulgarian Media in Israel is held in partnership with Aurubis Bulgaria, Postbank and Dimitar Madjarov - 2 Ltd.