site.btaSofia to Host 5th Asian Festival on June 14

The 5th Asian Festival Sofia mottoed "Unity in Diversity" will take place in the South Park-2, behind the Earth and Man National Museum, on June 14, the organizers told a news conference at BTA's National Press Club on Friday. Participating were representatives of the diplomatic missions of the Asian countries in Bulgaria showcased at the festival.

The event is organized by the Embassy of China in Sofia and the Chinese Cultural Center, in cooperation with the administration of Bulgaria's Vice President, the Ministry of Tourism, Sofia Municipality and ten diplomatic missions and institutions. The festival will feature participants from China, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, India, Iran, Mongolia, Palestine, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Cambodia.

"The festival aims to promote the cultural heritage, arts and traditions of the Asian countries, as well as to encourage friendship among peoples and intercultural exchange," said Kaloyan Stoyanov from the Information and Social-Cultural Affairs Department of the Indonesian Embassy, project coordinator of the festival.

This year's highlight is a charitable cause supporting the Our Premature Children Foundation. A raffle with a record 160 prizes, donated by sponsors and partners, is associated with the initiative, Stoyanov said.

Wang Min, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of China in Bulgaria, stressed that the festival is an opportunity to showcase artistic and cultural initiatives, demonstrate a positive attitude, and highlight unity in diversity. She listed five high points: a charity bazaar; a costume pageant on June 13, starting in front of the Palace of Justice and proceeding along Sofia's Vitosha Boulevard; demonstrations of dance and martial arts; a cultural bazaar; and Asian-related games and lessons for children.

Among the festival participants is Mongolia, which will showcase traditional calligraphy. "Since 1950, we have used the Cyrillic alphabet, which connects us to Bulgaria and makes me feel proud. Mongolia has decided to revive ancient calligraphy," said Ambassador Sayanaa Lkhagvasuren. She announced that a master calligrapher will write visitors' names in the Mongolian language.

The State of Palestine will present traditional dances and music performed by students from the Palestinian school in Sofia, said Palestinian Ambassador Nasri Abu Jaish. Handmade folk costumes, similar to Bulgarian ones, will be displayed.

The UAE will demonstrate traditional cuisine and coffee, as well as a virtual exhibition featuring cultural and historical sites in that country, Ambassador Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Jaber said. His country will showcase traditional clothing and henna art.

Pakistan will participate with songs, crafts and traditional cuisine, said Ambassador Modasar Chaudhry. Among the featured items will be salt lamps, marble and ivory products, scarves and temporary body art using natural dyes, the diplomat said.

Irwan Fahrizal, Chargé d’Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy, said his country would present distinctive food and cooking methods and cultural practices.

The Republic of Korea will participate with demonstrations of the samulnori traditional music genre and contemporary K-pop dance, said Mikyoung Yun, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission. Games will also be presented, including the popular Jegi Chagi, in which Ambassador Dong-bae Kim is expected to take part.

Cambodia will showcase traditional cuisine, architecture and clothing, as well as locally produced goods, said the Embassy's First Secretary Hamizanne Math.

Soni Dahiya, Second Secretary at the Embassy of India, talked about her country's remarkable cultural diversity. She said festival visitors can explore various crafts and customs at India's pavilion.

The Asian Festival has been held since 2017 on the initiative of the Embassy of Indonesia.