President Iotova: Spirituality and culture are what make a nation strong

In a world marked by trials and conflicts, spirituality, education, and culture are what make a nation strong and dignified. This was stated by Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova during a ceremony at the Presidency, where she presented Honorary Presidential Distinctions for contributions to education and culture.

Among those honored with the President’s Badge of Honor were the Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts, renowned Bulgarian pianist Prof. Borislava Taneva, poet Georgi Konstantinov, Italy’s Honorary Consul in Plovdiv Giuseppe De Francesco, and public figure and poet Tenko Tenev.

“For me, it is an exceptional honor, on the eve of Bulgaria’s brightest national celebration - May 24 - to welcome precisely you: Bulgarians with a capital ‘B,’ people who have brought and continue to bring such spiritual glory to Bulgaria,” Iotova declared.

She emphasized that the work of intellectuals has played a decisive role in helping the country overcome periods of political and social turbulence. According to her, the voice of the intellectual is still insufficiently heard in Bulgaria, although intellectuals possess the potential to serve as essential advisers in making the nation’s most important and responsible decisions.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova