Bulgaria and Norway mark 120 years of bilateral diplomatic relations

August 20 marks 120 years since Bulgaria and Norway established diplomatic relations, a relationship that survived their interruption during the Second World War and their restoration in 1956, and has since evolved into today’s partnership within NATO and the European Economic Area.

The nearly 12,000-strong Bulgarian community in Norway, as well as Norwegian citizens who have chosen to purchase property and settle permanently in Bulgaria, are a natural bridge between the two countries, the Bulgarian Embassy in Oslo notes on its website.

To mark the anniversary, the Bulgarian Embassy in Norway has organised a series of initiatives throughout the year. One of the highlights was a documentary exhibition, created jointly with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), featuring photographs depicting key moments in the history of bilateral relations.

An art workshop on the theme “120 Years of Bilateral Diplomatic Relations” was also organised for children from the Bulgarian community in Stavanger, with the support of the Honorary Consulate in Stavanger and the Bulgarian Cultural Association there.

Meanwhile, the embassy building in Oslo is hosting a permanent photographic exhibition featuring Bulgaria’s ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary accredited to the Kingdom of Norway and based in Oslo. Over the 120-year history of bilateral relations, Bulgaria has had a total of 10 such ambassadors.

Norway’s diplomatic relations with Bulgaria are handled by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Bucharest. Over the years, Norway has also briefly maintained its own embassy in Sofia.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova