site.btaUPDATED Sofia Hosts Fifth Asian Festival Under the Motto “United in Diversity”

Government officials and representatives of diplomatic missions opened the fifth edition of the Asian Festival in Sofia’s South Park II on Saturday. Held under the theme “United in Diversity,” the festival celebrates cultural richness.

Vice President Iliana Iotova, Deputy Minister of Tourism Pavlin Petrov, Deputy Mayor of Sofia Ivan Vasilev, and diplomats from various Asian embassies attended the opening ceremony.

In her keynote address, Vice President Iotova emphasized the festival’s role in promoting unity and understanding. “The festival is the best tool against the division of nations. It embodies friendship, cooperation, and development. The more we get to know each other, the more we can live together and avoid conflict,” she said.
Iotova also recalled the origins of the event, which she co-founded in 2017 with the then-Indonesian ambassador, expressing joy that the initiative has become a lasting tradition.

Chinese Charge d'Affaire Wang Min praised the festival as more than just a cultural event. “This is a celebration that connects our hearts, fostering real closeness between people, nations, and countries. Every culture shines brighter when shared. Diversity drives exchange, exchange leads to mutual enrichment, and that, in turn, fuels cultural development,” she stated.

Deputy Tourism Minister Pavlin Petrov highlighted the strategic importance of festival tourism for Bulgaria. “Festivals are a bridge between culture and tourism. They offer a platform for international exchange and help position Bulgaria as a welcoming destination for diverse cultures,” he said.

Petrov noted that such events attract global audiences and intertwine history, economy, innovation, and heritage.

Sofia’s Deputy Mayor Ivan Vasilev added that cultural events like the Asian Festival enrich the capital’s social life. “Today, more than ever, we need dialogue between cultures, faiths, and ethnicities. This is exactly what the festival fosters - bringing people together through art, music, dance, and cuisine,” he said, emphasizing Sofia’s ancient heritage and modern outlook.

Irvan Fachrizal, Chargé d'Affaires at the Indonesian Embassy, also addressed the audience, underscoring Indonesia’s pivotal role in founding the event. “Indonesia initiated the first Asian Festival in 2017. This celebration unites the heart, spirit, and soul of Asia with the life and character of Sofia. For us, unity is not just a motto—it’s a lived reality expressed through our diverse cultures,” he said, thanking Bulgarian institutions and diplomatic partners for their ongoing support.

The festival was organized by several embassies and diplomatic missions, including those of China, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, India, Mongolia and Vietnam, and supported by the Bulgarian Tourism Ministry, according to the Ministry's press service. 

Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh was quoted as saying that “the Asian festival is not only a cultural event, but also a clear sign of our country's openness to partnership with Asian countries.“ “Through such partnerships we show our readiness to work together and to expand tourism exchanges. Bulgaria has much to offer visitors from Asia: history, nature, culture, and hospitality,“ he added.