Letters to Radio Bulgaria: “You give us in-depth information about your country”

During April as well, Radio Bulgaria’s mailbox was filled with warm greetings and kind feedback about our work. Our audience follows important developments in Bulgaria’s political and public life, but is equally fascinated by contemporary culture, holidays, and the historical events that shape the everyday life of Bulgarians.

Radio Bulgaria draws a true map of Bulgaria on the world map

Proof of this comes from the letter of Horst Cersovsky from Germany, who follows Radio Bulgaria’s German-language page:

“Dear German Editorial Team, today parliamentary elections are once again taking place in Bulgaria, and at the moment I am following developments through Radio Bulgaria’s website. The German media are also covering these eighth elections in five years. However, I prefer using your website because it provides first-hand information. I am pleased that the news on election Sunday is being updated continuously, for example with current voter turnout data. I also listened to the German-language programme available online. In ‘Bulgaria Today’ it was reported that Bulgaria will host the first three stages of the Giro d’Italia. I found this especially interesting and had not known it before. The start of this cycling race with such rich traditions is undoubtedly a historic sporting event.”

“Today as well I would like to send greetings and thanks for your German-language programmes. I enjoy listening to them and always learn something new,” writes Thomas Völkner from Germany.

“I enjoy your informative programmes. I very much liked the editions of ‘Bulgaria Today’ on April 9 and 10. I like the news, but today I especially enjoyed your music programme. In fact, the entire programme was very, very good!” writes Ratan Paul from India.

“With great pleasure and interest I continue listening to Radio Bulgaria’s programmes!” - Konstantin Pravotorov, Ukraine.

“I found your feature about the young journalist Militsa Tekelieva and her journey toward identity from the village of Zmeyovo to Berlin particularly interesting. Back in the 1980s, I myself travelled every year by train from Dresden to Sofia and had fascinating stopovers in what was then Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Romania,” writes Andreas Fessler from Germany.

“I listened to your programme while imagining scenes from the cultural festival ‘Bulgarian Days in Málaga.’ The fact that such a festival is held in Spain, and that ‘Bulgarian Days in Málaga’ is organised in Bulgaria, made me wonder whether Málaga and Bulgaria have long-standing close ties. Listening to the programme sparked my interest precisely in that question. The song by Darin Angelov featured in the ‘Song of the Day’ segment was wonderful. I was also completely absorbed by the music of Dimitar Hristov. The opportunity to enjoy Bulgarian music - which is rarely heard in Japan - is one of the reasons why I listen to your radio station. Since I am interested in Bulgarian music, please continue presenting music from different genres,” writes Hiroshi Katayama from Japan.

Radio Bulgaria’s friends also celebrate Bulgaria’s most cherished holidays together with us:

“Happy Endless Summer Day,” wrote Agim Kasa from Tirana, Albania on March 1, Baba Marta Day.

“Today the hearts of every Bulgarian beat in rhythm with history… Freedom is not merely a date. It is memory. It is responsibility. It is love for the homeland. Happy National Day, March 3!” wrote Muhamet Shala from Kosovo.

“HAPPY DAY OF MY BULGARIA!” wrote Selvi Pupuleku Tsanga in Bulgarian on the occasion of March 3. And again in Bulgarian for March 1: “Happy Baba Marta, friends!”

We also received greetings for the greatest Orthodox Christian holiday:

“I wish you happy Easter days. I hope you have enough time to enjoy them!” wished Eckhard Röcher from Germany.

“Christ is risen! Truly He is risen! Happy Easter!” writes Lek Bushpepa from Albania.

“Happy Easter to the Bulgarian people! Health, prosperity, and peace to your families. Christ is risen!” - Sabedin Bushati, Albania.

Greetings also arrived from distant India:

“May you and your loved ones always be showered with the Almighty’s finest blessings. I send you heartfelt wishes on the occasion of Good Friday. May Jesus Christ hear all your prayers on this holy day! May all your wishes come true,” writes Siddhartha Bhattacharjee.

“Early in spring, when nature awakens, people rejoice because of one day. Happiness is written on their faces - Jesus has come and will not leave us. I wish all BNR employees joyful Easter holidays!” - Miodrag Ristić, Serbia.

“Tonight, on this holy night, we wish you peace, health, and prosperity in your families! Happy Easter!” wrote our regular Albanian-language listener Fadil Osmani from Kosovo.

“Thank you very much for the January QSL card marking Radio Bulgaria’s anniversary. Warm Easter greetings to you!” - Hans Verner Lollike, Denmark.

“Congratulations to the entire Bulgarian people on Orthodox Christian Easter! Your article makes it easier to learn about the traditional dishes on the Bulgarian Easter table, but also tells of today’s difficulties. Very good! Cheers and until next time,” writes Hugo Longhi from Argentina.

“Congratulations on the radiant Resurrection of Christ! May your soul be filled with grace and joy on this great feast. May the Easter joy warm your heart, and may faith give strength for good deeds. Christ has risen! Thank you for the interesting programmes. I wish you success in your work. Clear airwaves and 73!” wrote Aleksandr Golubev from Russia in Bulgarian.

And here is the letter from Martina Pohl from Germany:

“Thank you very much for the wonderful QSL cards from January to March. I was very happy to receive them. Easter is already behind us. I admired the Easter eggs on your website decorated with coloured wax. They are truly little works of art!”

Congratulatory messages continue to arrive for the 90th anniversary of the multilingual service of Radio Bulgaria.

“Congratulations on your 90th anniversary. It is a pity there are no longer shortwave broadcasts,” writes Ulrich Wicke from Germany.

“Good afternoon, team of Radio Bulgaria’s Spanish-language service! First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your radio station’s 90th anniversary and on the renewal of your website. I am very pleased that you continue sending paper QSL cards. I regularly listen to ‘Bulgaria Today,’ although this is the first time I have written to you. I am an Argentine radio host and social communications student. I have a TikTok channel dedicated to international radio stations where I use your broadcasts as a reliable source of news. I also lead the production team of an investigative journalism podcast at the University of Quilmes called ‘The World on UNQ Radio,’ where in 15-minute episodes we analyse current global processes and conflicts. The information provided by Radio Bulgaria is extremely useful to us,” writes Mauricio Vallese from Argentina.

“Heartfelt congratulations, friends from Radio Bulgaria, on this recent and wonderful anniversary which you are celebrating in grand style together with your entire audience,” begins the deeply moving letter from Miguel Ramón Bauset of Valencia.

“Nine decades of broadcasting in various languages mean many long years during which you have spread Bulgaria’s voice so listeners all over the world could come to know the country better. And what greater satisfaction than seeing that your work has produced excellent results and that thanks to you people know Bulgaria much more closely.

I have listened to you for many years and sincerely thank you for everything you have shown me about your country, which I love and respect so much.

Your radio has passed through several stages throughout its history, some strongly influenced by political life. Yet in every programme there was always some topic revealing the richness of Bulgaria through its culture, cuisine, art, humour… and even its rich folklore with that folk music which, even if one does not understand the language, touches the listener deeply and becomes more beloved each day.

Those transmitters from Plovdiv and Vidin - especially the first one, which came through very strongly - did everything possible so that amidst the unpredictable propagation of shortwave radio, Bulgaria’s voice and those friendly voices of the Spanish editorial team could reach homes, sometimes with no small difficulty, and fulfil their magnificent mission of telling the story of the country in all its aspects.

I have visited Bulgaria several times and I like it very much. The people are very kind and open, and the country contains so much art that deserves to be explored in detail.

Although the time eventually came when shortwave broadcasting was discontinued for budgetary reasons and daily work shifted to the website - which itself was once close to disappearing - contacts multiplied, podcasts appeared and later expanded, the website was renewed, and today it is a wonderful meeting place for current information about Bulgaria in 11 languages - a true achievement created by genuine professionals, just like all those who preceded you over these nine decades.

I admire the fact that every day I learn more about your country and my Bulgarian friends, whom I warmly congratulate on this very special anniversary.

On the threshold of the centenary, we continue walking through this living encyclopedia open day and night, like those little shops found all across the country - namely Radio Bulgaria - to which I wholeheartedly wish a future full of prosperity and life, just like the country itself, which, by the way, is called BULGARIA.

A very warm embrace to all of you, and especially to the dear Spanish editorial team, from the Mediterranean, from Alboraya, the village of horchata.”

Our friends also write about the QSL cards we send to listeners:

Our new QSL cards: 90 years BNR and 90 years Radio Bulgaria

“Hello, friends from Radio Bulgaria! Please accept my deepest gratitude for sending me the set of Teodor Ushev QSL cards. It is a beautiful set I have wanted for a long time. When I opened the envelope, I was infinitely happy to see this precious collection,” writes Mr. Muralidhar from Sweden.

“I would once again like to note that the 2025 QSL series turned out beautifully! And the anniversary series for 2026 is highly informative - thank you for describing in detail what is depicted on the cards!” - Dmitry Yelagin, Russia.

“Dear German Editorial Team of Radio Bulgaria, I would like to confirm receipt of your QSL card and sincerely thank you for it. This year, on the occasion of its 90th anniversary, Radio Bulgaria has issued a particularly interesting QSL series. I have meanwhile read the information about the received card on your website. I like both the idea and the design,” writes Horst Cersovsky from Germany.

“Dear friends and presenters of Radio Bulgaria’s Spanish-language broadcasts, I send you heartfelt greetings and at the same time kindly request a QSL card dedicated to your 90th anniversary,” writes Javier González Nungaray from Mexico.

“Thank you very much for the new QSL cards you sent. They have a very beautiful design and the theme is extremely interesting,” writes Wolfgang Maschke from Germany.

“I am 51 years old, born and living in St. Petersburg. More than 30 years ago, one of my favourite hobbies was DXing (shortwave listening). In the 1990s there was no internet, letters were long, and international correspondence was quite expensive for a student. By the way, I still have a QSL card received from Radio Sofia in 1995. About ten years ago I decided to revive the hobby  and now I am passionate about it once again,” shares Konstantin Barsenkov from Russia.

“I am writing to you with a heart full of gratitude to sincerely thank you for your kindness and generosity. I received four beautiful QSL cards and cannot describe how infinitely happy they made me. Your effort and the care you invested in sending them truly touched my heart. It is not only the cards themselves, but the warmth, dedication, and love behind them that make them so special to me. Your commitment to listeners like me reflects a wonderful spirit and strengthens the bond between Radio Bulgaria and its audience.

Please accept my deepest appreciation for your continued support and for making this hobby so meaningful and joyful. Your efforts are truly admirable and I feel very fortunate to be a listener receiving such attention and kindness,” writes Mohammad Bashir from Pakistan.

Thank you very much for these wonderful words!

In their letters to Radio Bulgaria, our listeners also share wonderful memories and impressions connected with Bulgaria:

“I have vivid memories of listening to Radio Bulgaria in Albanian at 9 p.m. on my portable radio,” writes Fadil Ribari from Albania. “The Republic of Bulgaria is unique in Europe because of its mineral spas. Since 1990 I have visited many of them - in Sandanski, Velingrad, Bankya, Stara Zagora Mineral Baths, Pomorie, Narechen, Devin, and Hisarya - where I was enchanted by the beauty and healing qualities they offer. I would therefore be happy if as many people as possible could visit these treasures that Bulgaria possesses and find healing there.”

“Hello, I am a follower of your page. I have always liked Radio Bulgaria in Albanian. I followed it even during the communist dictatorship in Albania, eagerly waiting for 9 p.m., if I remember correctly, when the evening programme aired. I still like it today,” shared Bashkim Derstila from Albania on Facebook.

“I have long wanted to write to you… The Radio Club du Perche website takes up much of my time. Since you contacted me, I have prepared several listening reports… I dug through my archives from 1993 to 2012 - nearly 20 years during which I listened to Radio Bulgaria very regularly on shortwave. The signal was most often very good and provided enjoyable listening. I could spend hours with these archives… QSL cards, schedules and frequency tables, letters as well… I scanned some things at random… but actually I should scan everything… all those memories…”

QSL No. 4: 1935 – Sirak Skitnik, the first director of the BNR

This was written by Paul Jamet from France, to whom we are deeply grateful for the exceptional gesture of donating a large part of his archive for the 90th anniversary celebrated by Radio Bulgaria in 2026.

Do not stop writing to us, dear friends! Your feedback is extremely valuable to the entire Radio Bulgaria team. We would also be delighted if you shared topics that interest you - this will provide our team with yet another source of inspiration. Until next time!

Read also:

Radio Bulgaria through the eyes of colleagues and listeners

Greetings and good news: a listener is writing a book about Radio Bulgaria

Engish: R. Petkova