Bulgarian shrub roses Nadia (Rosa 'Nadia') were planted in the Rose Garden of the Japanese Nakanojo town, Gunma Prefecture, by Sofia's Ambassador to Japan Marieta Arabadjieva in the presence of the town's Mayor Masao Iyoku and other guests. The ceremony marked the official start of relations between the Bulgarian Embassy in Tokyo and the city of Nakanojo with the hope of organizing an annual Bulgarian Rose Festival in the city in the future.

On behalf of the Embassy, Ambassador Arabadjieva donated to the library of the Nakanojo kindergarten the Bulgarian children's book "The Living Water", published in Japan in 2022 in translation by Yoko Yaoita, a long-time translator of Bulgarian children's literature. The celebrations also featured Bulgarian folk dances, performed by the Japanese dance troupe "Koga" and the presentation of traditional Bulgarian dishes and souvenirs.

There was a Bulgarian festival in the town of Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, attended by more than 120 official guests - mayors, principals of local schools and representatives of Japanese companies. It was organized by the local branch of the Japanese-Bulgarian Association.

Bulgarian wines, honey and rose products were presented at the exhibition. Elena Kutsarova, translator at the Bulgarian Embassy, taught a workshop on making white-and-red martenitsas (small good luck charms, worn on March 1 to celebrate the coming Spring). There was also a musical programme performed by the Bulgarian dance group "Detelina". In the meantime, all guests had the opportunity to taste the famous Bulgarian Shopska salad, the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in Japan said.

Photos: Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Japan