Ivan Ivanov focuses on Bulgarian emigrant stories from America in new podcast

He is a Bulgarian emigrant. Three months ago, he created @amerikapobulgarski, a podcast focused on Bulgarians in America. It inspires people who hesitate to take the first big step towards a new life, and others - to stay in Bulgaria, as the so-called American dream can come true anywhere.

Like all good ideas, the one for the podcast was born by chance. Ivan Ivanov, who has been living in the United States for fifteen years, decided to contribute with "something small" to the Bulgarian community, seeing how emigrants from Balkan countries develop similar activities. "The idea was in my head for six months and during this time I managed to build a studio, find my first guest and finally I received great reviews" is his brief summary ten episodes later.

Ivan Ivanov first arrived in America in 2006 on work-and-travel program. Four years later, he earned a Green Card and like all emigrants started from scratch, working in a kitchen on Santa Catalina Island. Today, he is an entrepreneur, content creator and founder of an agency that helps businesses build their image through strategic video content.

"All Bulgarians who have come here have great stories that are worth preserving," he says. "I help them see that they are not alone in their everyday stories, pains, suffering and successes, that there are other people who have gone down a similar path. When I wanted to come to America 20 years ago, I wished I could find similar information somewhere and see what kind of life awaits me. We come a bit blindfolded not knowing where we are going. I hope the podcast to help someone who has decided to come here, wants to connect with Bulgarians and hear more stories."

At the beginning of his emigration journey, Ivan Ivanov was fascinated by the opportunities America offers, especially in big cities like Los Angeles – the beginning, and Las Vegas – the current reality. However, he also found one drawback – unlike Bulgaria, it is more difficult to make friends in America, according to him.

Emotionally, across the ocean, Ivan Ivanov returnеd to the Balkans, finding a life partner - Serbian Nikolina. Currently, the two are raising their three-year-old son in an environment where Bulgarian, Serbian, and English are spoken. "I am lucky because our cultures are very close, our traditions, dances, and food are similar," he says.

Like every year, this summer Ivan Ivanov will travel to Bulgaria, where he observes a kind of tradition:

"The first thing is always the same. As Bulgarian vegetables are not found anywhere else in the world, I will make a nice salad with fresh tomatoes from the garden and cheese, and I will also see my family. This time I have slightly different plans - when I get home, I would like to make a few podcasts with Bulgarians who lived in America but have returned to their homeland. It will be interesting to hear their stories and what their lives are like today."

Of course, Ivan will also be accompanied by his son. "I'm trying to give him as much contact with Bulgaria as possible, with his grandparents, and in this way he can experience our traditions, culture, and also learn the Bulgarian language, because it's quite difficult in America," he says.

The formula for success, according to Ivan Ivanov, is not to give up when difficulties come. If he could turn back time, he would tell that party goer he saw in the mirror a decade ago to start creating something worthwhile that would await him in the future.

Finally, through Radio Bulgaria, Ivan Ivanov sends a message to Bulgarians in all parts of the world to be more more positive and to help each other.

"I would like to wish them to be more purposeful, to have hope and to wake up every morning with the idea that they can be better than yesterday," he says.

Interview: Maria Samichkova, Radio Bulgaria correspondent in Las Vegas, USA

Text: Diana Tsankova