site.btaIndia’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Opens Trade and Culture Festival in Sofia

India’s Ambassador to Bulgaria, Arun Kumar Sahu, spoke of the similarities he sees between Bulgaria and India in terms of values, art, sensitivity and literature at the opening of the third edition of the Indian Shopping Festival in the park outside the National Palace of Culture in Sofia on Monday.

Deputy Culture Minister Ashot Kazaryan, European Commission Representation Head in Bulgaria Yordanka Chobanova, and Ambassador Sahu jointly cut the ribbon to officially launch the event. Indian producers and traders are participating in the fair, presenting a variety of goods such as clothing, leather goods, bags, jewellery, scarves, and household items.

Sahu described the Indian Shopping Festival as unique, noting it takes place only once a year and always at this location. He said the festival aims to showcase a small part of India's vast cultural diversity, especially in terms of history, art, crafts and textiles. Sahu also pointed out that this year's festival is larger than last year's and expressed hope it will double in size next year.

He added that although Bulgaria and India are not directly linked by shared history, the two countries have a strong connection in the arts and culture. Sahu said the festival brings people closer together and helps deepen understanding between Bulgarian and Indian cultural traditions.

Chobanova echoed Sahu’s view, saying the festival is an excellent opportunity for Bulgaria and India to learn more about each other. She highlighted that, within a European context, India is the European Union’s ninth-largest trading partner, while the EU is India’s second-largest. Chobanova said the event helps Europeans, and especially Bulgarians, discover an incredible country. She agreed with Sahu that both nations share a spiritual strength and warmth.