There is hardly a citizen of Sofia who has not entered its iconic building on the corner of the streets Aksakov and 6^th of September. Almost every day something happens there - an exhibition, a concert, a book presentation, a jubilee...

In a friendly and intimate atmosphere. So, without grandiosity, with measure and finesse, the Hungarian culture is constantly present in our capital; thanks to its indispensable cultural and spiritual space, called the Hungarian Cultural Institute.

It was founded in 1948, immediately after the end of Europe's devastating Second World War. And it has changed it address many times. It has changed its policies. It has changed its directors. But it has not changed its purpose - to bring Bulgarians and Hungarians closer together.

And here it is - after 70 years!

On the occasion of this important anniversary, on 19^th of October, the exhibition "This is Us: UCI-Kaleidoscope" was opened at the institute. Through posters created for its programs and activities over the last 10 years the exhibition reminds us of its numerous and diverse events. The Jubilee Album "70 Years of Hungarian Cultural Institute in Sofia" which traces the most important moments of its history and activity was presented. Dear guests arrived from Hungary for the event - three of the former directors of the institute: Györgyi Arato, Györgyi Szondi and Toso Doncsev. Sofia remembers and loves them.

Greetings to the attendees and the team of the institute were addressed by H. E. Ms. Tekla Harangozó, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to the Republic of Bulgaria; along with Mrs. Györgyi Dimitrov, current director of the UCI. All the three former leaders shared memories and thoughts, something that raised the emotions in the hall. The meetings and conversations of these remarkable Hungarian cultural figures with their Bulgarian colleagues and friends from the years of their mandate were also very exciting.

On the following day, the 20^th of October, in Bulgaria Hall there was a concert of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra called "Feast for Hungary". It was under the leadership of the famous Hungarian Gábor Hollerung and was dedicated to the 70^th anniversary of the Hungarian Cultural Institute and the National Day of Hungary, which is celebrated on the 23^rd of October. There were works by Zoltán Kodály, Franz Liszt and Béla Bartók. The participation of the young Bulgarian pianist Dora Deliyska was also impressive.

Photos: Diplomatic Spectrum

Above /from left to right/: Toso Doncsev, Nelly Dimova /organizer of events in the UCI/, Györgyi Arato, H. E. Ms. Tekla Harangozó, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to Bulgaria, Ms. Györgyi Dimitrov, Current Director of UCI, and Györgyi Szondi