He is just 19, but has already had a taste of success – as anchor of a talk show in Moldova, on radio Albena. For the past 6 months, George Kaish has been studying international economic relations at the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria.

Radio Bulgaria is about to launch his videocast in Russian – a first for the Bulgarian National Radio in a foreign language. The videocast is called Time to Talk, and in it George will present the stories of young people who have chosen to study, work and live in Bulgaria, and of the Bessarabian Bulgarians from the town of Taraclia. George himself is from Taraclia, and he says he loves the place where he was born though he would like to stay in Bulgaria.

“I really like Bulgaria,” he says. “It is my dream to study here. Sofia is such a beautiful city, friendly and pleasant. I admire Bulgarians and Bulgaria very much. Many young people make the same choice as I have. We have been hearing about our ancestral mother country since we were children, we study about it, we want to see it and live here. This is Europe, a marvelous opportunity. I would like to thank the Bulgarian state for affording Bessarabian Bulgarians from Moldova and Ukraine the opportunity to study here, free of charge.”

We ask George what he thinks about life in Bulgaria, if there is anything he doesn’t like:

“It seems to me we are quite different – Bessarabian Bulgarians and Bulgarians here. To begin with, it was very difficult for me until I got accustomed to things. I have friends who help me. I think Bulgarians are friendly and kind. What I don’t like is the institutions, how slow they are, how they leave people to fend for themselves. I have started the procedure for acquiring Bulgarian citizenship. I believe there will be no problem and I will receive citizenship, that I will start work at the BNR and have a great career here, in Bulgaria, and then – in Europe and the world.”

As to the videocast he is launching for Radio Bulgaria, George says:

“Even as a child I wanted to study in Bulgaria, in Sofia. But my biggest dream is to be a media star,” he says with a smile. “Working for the BNR is something very special for me. I have invested so much effort and I hope people will appreciate what I have done.”

George Kaish’s family in Moldova are engaged in private business. Asked whether he will return there once he graduated here, in Bulgaria, George says:

“Moldova is my homeland, Bulgaria - my ancestral homeland. I am the youngest son, and as is the tradition, my father wants me to come home and continue the family line. But I tell him I want to live in Bulgaria.”

In Sofia, George lives with two roommates from Ukraine. So, our conversation naturally turns to the war…

“War is a really terrible thing. We talk about it every day with my Ukrainian friends. And we just can’t wrap our heads around it – how is it possible to wage war in the 21^st century? My roommates tell me how difficult it is at the moment to be living in Ukraine, they cannot get in touch with their parents by phone. At the same time, I keep thinking of my own family. The Republic of Moldova neighbours on Ukraine, and we too have a dangerous territory – Transnistria. That is why we are very frightened. Slavic brothers fighting one another, not knowing why. It is atrocious.”

Photographs courtesy of George Kaish