From Argentina to Japan and Pakistan: Letters from Radio Bulgaria’s listeners

It’s time once again to open Radio Bulgaria’s mailbox, which filled with dozens of heartfelt letters and messages from listeners around the world in September!

''Dear friends at Radio Bulgaria,

Warm greetings from your listener in Argentina. I greatly enjoy the variety of programmes available through the podcasts on your website. I particularly  like your broadcasts, where, alongside the latest news, we can also learn about Bulgaria’s culture, music and folklore.” David Iuresia

“I always listen to your programmes and enjoy them. Thank you very much for your excellent programmes. Mrs. Nitu Kumari, India

I’m continuing to enjoy my passion for radio and listening to shortwave stations. It’s still very special for me to maintain this monthly contact with you and to be able to share a little of my life and my travels through these letters. I hope you’re also enjoying the last days of summer and that the start of autumn is a good one for everyone. Warm regards from Spain and, as always, many thanks for sticking with me and for keeping international radio alive. Juan Carlos Pérez Montero

As a regular listener, I would like to congratulate the entire team for their sincere efforts and dedication. I hope you will continue to broadcast such meaningful and engaging programmes in the future. With best wishes for the continued success and popularity of your station. Siddhartha Bhattacharjee 

“They call my hometown of Sangerhausen the ‘City of Roses’ because it is home to the Rosarium, which boasts the world’s most important collection of roses, with more than 8,700 different varieties and species. That is why I found your article about Bulgaria’s Rose Valley, the traditional cultivation of the Damask rose (Rosa Damascena) and its many uses particularly interesting. The Rosa Damascena is also part of the collection at our Rosarium, so the programme had a direct connection to my hometown. Among the products from the Rose Valley, the red wine ‘Rosenthaler Kadarka’ is particularly well known here.” Horst Zersowski, Germany

I like jazz music, so I really liked today's song. I would also like to visit Radio Bulgaria someday. Shin Arai, Japan

In recent years, the number of people enjoying trekking and hiking has increasedaround the world, and hearing about this feature has made me keenly aware of the issuessurrounding it. I believe that the people of Sofia are very fortunate to have mountains near thecity where they can enjoy these activities. It is truly wonderful that people can easily enjoyactivities in the mountains while also undertaking initiatives that take environmental conservationinto consideration. Japan also has many mountains rich in nature, including the world-famousMount Fuji, but I felt that we should follow the example of the initiatives on Lyulin Mountain and promote activities to “Protect the Past and Build the Future. Shinpei Kondo, Japan

• Lyulin Mountain – astep away from Sofia and now just a click away

• Vitosha – nature just a step away from Bulgaria’s capital

Dear Friends, I am glad to inform you that I am enjoying your interesting and informative radio programmes regularly on your website (Internet streaming/podcasting). Sutomo Huang, Indonesia

I especially liked your feature about 20-year-old Desislava Marinova who creates authentic Bulgarian folk costumes. It is very inspiring that a young lady is preserving the cultural heritage of Bulgaria so beautifully. Please convey my best regards to her. The news bulletin was very informative and the music piece "Po Graovski" by Peyo Peev and the BNR Folk Orchestra at the end was excellent. I always love Bulgarian folk music. I am a regular listener of Radio Bulgaria English Service via internet. Your programs are really a window to Bulgaria for listeners in Pakistan. Sameena Gull, Pakistan

• 20-year-old Desislava Marinova creates authentic Bulgarian folk costumes

“I listened to your radio station online from Japan. The music by Lyubomir Pipkov was wonderful, but it would be nice to include a few more of his works, as the broadcast was rather short.” Hitoshi Sugio, Japan

Warm greetings from Pakistan! I hope you are all doing well. My name is Muhammad Shafi. I am a teacher and an active member of the Jinnah DX Club, Layyah, Pakistan. My fellow club members and I have been listening to Radio Bulgaria with great interest and enthusiasm. We greatly enjoy your programs and appreciate the valuable information you provide about Bulgaria, its culture, history, traditions, people, and daily life. This November, we will celebrate the 36th anniversary of our Jinnah DX Club. We are planning to make this a special and memorable occasion by inviting radio listeners from our city as well as from other cities. Muhammad Shafi

“Happy Bulgarian Independence Day, 22 September! On the same day in 1991, I visited the city of Veliko Tarnovo, where Bulgaria’s independence was proclaimed. I will always be with you and my beloved Bulgaria.” Fadil Ribari, Kosovo

“Besides the news from Bulgaria, I also enjoy listening to your travel features. Unfortunately, it has been 40 years since I travelled around the country. I hope I’ll have the opportunity to visit your beautiful country again one day,” writes Andreas Fessler from Germany.

“Thank you very much for this fascinating historical insight into the Unification of Bulgaria. It is a chapter of European history that had remained unknown to me until now. The German Service presented the story wonderfully!” Lars Gellermann, Germany

We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for sharing your thoughts with us! Your kind words and continued feedback are the greatest recognition of our work and a source of daily inspiration. We are delighted that Radio Bulgaria remains the voice that brings us together, no matter how far apart we may be.

Thank you for being with us! We look forward to hearing from you again!