The consulates of a country abroad are usually seen simply as the place where citizens go when they need assistance—whether to obtain documents or resolve problems that arise during their stay in a foreign country or in the event of a natural disaster. Bulgarian consulates abroad are no exception. However, a conversation with Bulgaria’s Consul General in New York, Angel Angelov, reveals a much broader picture of the diplomatic mission.

'A consular service assists Bulgarians in critical situations, for example by issuing travel documents if they are lost. For example, someone may need to fly urgently and require a passport to be issued immediately. Or they may be detained at the airport—in such cases, the consul contacts the border authorities to ensure that the basic needs of our compatriot are met. We also maintain contact with the parents of Bulgarian students who, for some reason, are facing deportation, as well as with Bulgarian citizens who need assistance if they are detained or hospitalized. The administrative scope is quite broad, but beyond that, the core mission of consular and diplomatic offices is to advance the priorities of Bulgaria’s foreign policy."

In 2022, Angel Angelov headed the Consulate General of Bulgaria in New York. During his diplomatic career, he has held various positions at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Bulgaria to the United Nations. He was recently re-elected unanimously as Vice President and Member of the Executive Board of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, an organisation representing the world's largest consular corps.

‘The idea is for the Consuls General in New York to cooperate with each other and with the American authorities, particularly those in New York and the surrounding area,’ Angel Angelov told Radio Bulgaria. ‘We maintain contacts with the mayor's office and the state governors around New York. We meet at least once a month to discuss various initiatives in the interest of the consular community, as well as our ethnic and national communities that we represent.” Membership in the Executive Board is a recognition of the consuls general who are part of it, of their active role in the community. 'It is a privilege for me to be vice president for the third year and to be part of the organisation.'

Our Consul General in New York believes that this personal prestige could benefit our country by raising its profile.

The Consulate pays particular attention to cooperating with Sunday schools located in nine states in the northeastern United States.

Bulgarian diplomats encourage parents to send their children to these schools to help them maintain a connection with their homeland. "Where we have an active and united Bulgarian community, we have a Bulgarian school. And, accordingly, where we have an active Bulgarian school, we have an even more united Bulgarian community,” says Angel Angelov. “Bulgarian Sunday schools really play the role of guardians of Bulgarian identity in the United States,” he adds.

'We work very closely with them and participate in their celebrations. Whenever we need help, the teachers and parents assist us, for example by helping to form committees for conducting elections.”

Upon taking office, Angel Angelov set himself the task of promoting Bulgarian culture and education.

‘The priority of Bulgaria's foreign policy is to preserve the Bulgarian identity of our community,’ emphasises Consul General Angelov. “We constantly monitor the publications of our schools, cultural centres, folk ensembles and artists. In addition, we meet every week and organise events, which means that we have our finger on the pulse of our community.”

These events are often attended by Bulgarians who have lived in New York for 20 years or more, but due to the city's dynamic nature, they have not yet met each other. One of the goals of the diplomatic mission is therefore to facilitate connections between our compatriots so that they can get involved in various initiatives.

'Our diaspora is generally young, as there was no active emigration during the Cold War,” concludes Angel Angelov. ‘Our compatriots in the United States still have strong ties to Bulgaria and want their children, even those born here, to have access to Bulgarian Sunday schools, where they can learn to read and write in Bulgarian and learn about Bulgarian culture.’ It is extremely important during this period to work actively with the Bulgarian community and encourage parents to send their children to Sunday schools because, as I have said to them, if your child does not speak and read Bulgarian, your grandchildren will certainly not speak and read Bulgarian. This is precisely the priority of the Consulate General – to strengthen this connection with Bulgaria.’