site.btaFestival of Bulgaria Held at Josai University in Tokyo

The traditional Festival of Bulgaria in Tokyo took place on November 15, 2025 at the Josai University building in the Japanese capital. The event was organized for the 22nd consecutive year by the Japan–Bulgaria Association. This was announced by the Embassy of Bulgaria in Japan in a post on its official Facebook page. 

During the festival’s opening, greetings were delivered by Prof. Kiyoshi Yamada, Vice-Chairman of the Japan–Bulgaria Association and member of the Board of Directors of Tokai University, and Prof. Yukihisa Kitamura, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Josai University.

In her address, Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Tokyo, Marieta Arabadjieva, expressed gratitude to the Japan–Bulgaria Association for its longstanding support and efforts to promote Bulgaria and Bulgarian culture in Japan. She also reviewed the eventful 2025, a year rich in visits and initiatives during which bilateral relations were elevated to a strategic partnership, the post said.

Part of the festival program was a lecture titled “Bulgarians Who Visited Postwar Japan,” delivered by Bulgarian studies scholar and Honorary Professor of Nishogakusha University, Prof. Junko Sugahara.

The winner of the 31st edition of the Japanese-language Oratory Contest in Bulgaria, Alexandra Kazakova, presented to the audience a talk titled “The Unknown Charm of Bulgaria.” Her visit to Tokyo was at the invitation of the Japan–Bulgaria Association.

“The Japanese folk group — Ensemble ‘Nusha’ — performed Bulgarian horo circle dance, rachenitsa, and songs, while guests joined in several Bulgarian circle dances. Visitors to the festival enjoyed traditional Bulgarian dishes and wines and had the opportunity to purchase Bulgarian goods, including rose products, jams, herbal tea, honey, embroidery, and souvenirs,” the team of the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in Tokyo added.