site.btaExhibition Created Jointly by Bulgarian Embassy in Norway and BTA Presented in Oslo

A photo archive exhibition prepared jointly by the Embassy of Bulgaria in Oslo and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) was among the highlights of celebrations marking the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Norway. The exhibition was presented during an official reception at the residence of Bulgaria's Ambassador to Norway Desislava Ivanova, the Embassy said on Monday.

Created especially for the anniversary, the exhibition traces the development of Bulgarian-Norwegian relations from the establishment of diplomatic ties on August 20, 1906, to the present through archival photographs and documents. It highlights milestones in the two countries' political, economic and cultural exchanges, as well as the contribution of Bulgarian diplomats to the development of bilateral relations.

The reception brought together representatives of Norwegian institutions, the diplomatic corps, Bulgaria's partners and members of the Bulgarian community in Norway, the Embassy said.

The programme also featured an exhibition of drawings by pupils from the Rodna Rech Bulgarian Sunday School in Stavanger, created during a masterclass led by Bulgarian artist Antoniy Sofev, who lives in Norway, as well as musical performances by pianist and Bulgaria's Honorary Consul in Stavanger Kiril Kutin and Bulgarian pop and jazz singer Siyana Nikolova.

On the occasion of the anniversary, Ambassador Ivanova presented the Norwegian side with three congratulatory letters from Bulgaria's State leadership: President Iliana Iotova, Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova.

Norwegian Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Eirik Nestas Mathisen presented Ambassador Ivanova with a congratulatory letter from Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide addressed to Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova. In the letter, Eide said that Norway and Bulgaria cooperate closely on a wide range of issues, including security, the economy, the green transition and people-to-people contacts, adding that this cooperation has fostered deep mutual understanding and strengthened the lasting friendship between the two nations.