site.btaBulgarian Diaspora in Argentina Strengthens Cultural Ties through Committee Visit

Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad Chair Stoyan Taslakov met with a representative of the Bulgarian diaspora in the Republic of Argentina, the Committee said in a press release on Monday. 

Erika Perales is a young woman from the city of Comodoro Rivadavia in Argentina. She teaches traditional dances at the Bulgarian Club St. St. Cyril and Methodius in the city and plays the tupan drum. She is visiting Bulgaria to study national costumes, dances, and folk instruments.

During the meeting at the National Assembly, Perales presented the initiatives of Bulgarians from various regions of Argentina, their desire to maintain a stronger connection with Bulgaria, and their wish to engage more deeply with Bulgarian folklore and to have opportunities to learn the Bulgarian language.

“I gave her a book about Bulgarian folk costumes, a small gesture, yet rich in meaning. What we often consider commonplace may be something others deeply long for,” Taslakov said.

The Bulgarian diaspora in Argentina formed in the early 20th century, when Bulgarians left for South America to work on plantations there. Today, even a century later, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren preserve their connection to Bulgaria.

With support from the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, Perales will also take part in the Festival of Bulgarian Folk Ensembles from Abroad, to be held at the end of the month in Veliko Tarnovo.