Bulgarians from all over the world gathered in the concert hall of the Military Club in Sofia to receive their awards for participation in art, literature and singing competitions organized by the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (SABA). The image of Bulgaria, as it is in children's thoughts and dreams, is seen in 523 drawings coming from 20 countries and 306 literary works of children living in 17 different countries.

"Preservation of the Bulgarian roots, language and identity is very important to children," Petar Haralampiev, chairman of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad says. “There are big traditional Bulgarian communities in Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, and Northern Greece... There are large Bulgarian emigrant groups and communities in the United States, Britain, Spain, Canada, Australia... The will of the State Agency for Refugees, together with the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad and other Bulgarian organizations that are more than 1000 across the globe is to help preserve Bulgarian identity and culture among the children of Bulgarians living abroad."

"This country owes much to Bulgarians living abroad," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Krassimir Karakachanov pointed out when addressing the winners of the contests. He wished the teachers in Bulgarian schools abroad ‘to continue to carry out their enlightenment mission with professionalism and patience as it is connected not only to providing knowledge and skills but to preserving patriotism and dignity in people who will be responsible to their Fatherland and the world as a whole’.”

A total of 7,600 young talents from 33 countries, mainly students in Bulgarian schools abroad, have participated in the oldest contest of the agency - "Stefan Gechev" literature contest. For 21 years, the written words by growing Bulgarians living abroad have created paths towards Bulgaria. It seems their words are like colorful embroidery that has preserved stories, melancholy, dreams and images linked to Bulgaria. Some of the children have never visited Bulgaria, while others were born here, and then left Bulgaria and now live somewhere else. But the important thing is that Bulgaria lives in their souls in a pure and unique way. The participants in this year's competition were divided into three age groups and writing topics were: "The Apostle’s Behest" and "Bulgaria in My Dreams." Sofia Asenova, 13, from the United States, writes she "feels like a migratory bird and all her dreams are about Bulgaria." Emilia Drenska from the "Vasil Levski" Bulgarian school in Germany writes about Levski's eyes and regrets that heroes do not receive much gratitude.” Anja Dimova, who is only 8 years old from Odessa, says that everyone in her class dreams of Bulgaria because it lives in children’s hearts from the stories told by Mom and Dad, grandmothers and grandfathers. The child is eager to see beloved Bulgaria and she hopes that Bulgaria is also expecting her."

“500 drawings passed several times before my eyes and through my soul,” artist Rumen Statkov, chairman of the jury that assesses children’s drawings, says. What is the image of the country that these children draw?

“It is a complex image because it is viewed from many perspectives. One sees the sea, another one sees the mountain, there were those who looked from the top, and we even had one award-winning work in which the whole world was viewed from below. The image of Bulgaria created by the children reflects what they have been told or what they have seen. Every year there are surprising drawings. For example, a year ago there was a drawing of a sinking ship that we are all aboard. There were other sad images of Bulgaria but this is good from the point of view of art and philosophical thinking,” Mr. Statkov says.

The link with the native country is something that is hard to break and this link is easily established through Bulgarian folklore. This is what the children's performances of Bulgarian folk songs showed. Bulgarians born in Ukraine, France, Germany or elsewhere often speak their mother tongue with difficulties but when they sing, the words come out gently and melodically. 91 Bulgarian children have participated as individual performers in the newest contest of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad - the music contest, which is named after renowned singer from the Pirin region Lyubka Rondova. There were also 34 bands and vocal ensembles that took part. The first prize was awarded to 18-year-old Monika Azmanska from the Bulgarian School in Dubai. The girl has participated in this competition since its first edition 8 years ago. "I love folk music," Monika says. “I would say to Bulgarian children all over the world that they must be proud of being Bulgarian; that they should love Bulgaria and that they should also know about other cultures because they are also interesting. By getting acquainted with other cultures they would see that Bulgarian culture is extremely rich; that it is a truly valuable treasure."

English: Alexander Markov