site.btaMonument to Romanian Poet Mihai Eminescu Unveiled in Sveti Vlas

The Ambassador of Romania to Bulgaria, Brandusa Ioana Predescu, and the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Romania, Radko Vlaykov, unveiled a bas-relief of the Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu on the Alley of Nations in the seaside resort of Sveti Vlas.

Among the official guests were Ștefania Berciu-Martac, Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Romania; Georgi Nakov – MP representing the Bulgarian minority in the Romanian Parliament; Dinko and Yordan Dinevi – co-chairs of the Bulgarian Memory – Dinevi Brothers Foundation; the author of the bas-relief – Petko Yordanov, Director of the Art Gallery in Yambol; residents and visitors of the seaside town, as well as tourists from Bulgaria and Romania.

"The historical connection between Bulgaria and Romania finds a new symbolic affirmation on the Black Sea coast in Sveti Vlas, dedicated to the Romanian poet and thinker Mihai Eminescu," said Ambassador Predescu during the unveiling. She emphasized that the event is an expression of deep spiritual and cultural connection that transcends borders and time. "Although he saw the Black Sea only once – in 1882, Eminescu was deeply impressed by the sea horizon. In a letter to his beloved Veronica Micle, he shared his dream to find peace after death precisely on this shore," the diplomat pointed out. "Today, his dream is reflected here – on the shore of the Black Sea. This is a bridge of memory, love, and culture between two peoples," she added.

The Bulgarian Ambassador to Bucharest, Radko Vlaykov, stated that the bas-relief is a symbol of the deep cultural and historical cooperation between Bulgaria and Romania. "There is no more suitable place on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast for a second bas-relief of Eminescu than Sveti Vlas. The Alley of Nations begins with Levski and Botev, and as a poet, Botev resembles Eminescu – both had short but extremely prolific creative lives," said Vlaykov. He noted that Mihai Eminescu and Ivan Vazov were the literary patriarchs of their countries and symbolize the cultural connection between the two peoples. "Eminescu visited Ruse and Giurgiu multiple times as early as the 1880s and was among the first to speak of the need for a bridge between the two cities. That is a legacy we honor even today," Vlaykov emphasized.

He added that the new Danube bridge planned between Ruse and Giurgiu with the support of the European Commission is in the spirit of this message. "Romanian tourists show lasting interest in our Black Sea coast and Sveti Vlas – both for the nature and for the cultural value of such initiatives," the Ambassador noted further. He expressed hope that their number will continue to grow.

Honorary Consul Stefania Berciu-Martac called on Romanian citizens visiting Bulgaria to see the new bas-relief. She expressed gratitude to the Bulgarian Memory Foundation for its work for preserving and advancing cultural heritage.

Georgi Nakov said he was honored to be part of the event. "As a Bulgarian from Romania, I have always tried to build bridges, because I know how important it is to create connections between peoples," said he. "I am a Romanian Bulgarian returning to my homeland to attend the unveiling of a monument to the great Romanian poet. This is an example of cultural connection, mutual respect, and shared values," he emphasized. According to him, such initiatives strengthen the friendship between Bulgaria and Romania and demonstrate that culture can be the strongest foundation for cooperation between nations.

The Bulgarian Memory – Dinevi Brothers Foundation has created numerous cultural landmarks over the past three decades, including the Alley of Nations, where bas-reliefs of Vasil Levski, Hristo Botev, Sandor Petofi, Admirals Fyodor Ushakov and Horatio Nelson, Marshal Philippe de Clerc, journalist Januarius MacGahan, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Adam Mickiewicz, Friedrich Schiller, Prince Alexey Tsereteli, and other prominent figures are placed. Sveti Vlas is also home to the Alley of Olympic Glory with bas-reliefs of all Bulgarian Olympic gold medalists, a 600-seat amphitheater, the largest monument to Khan Tervel in the country, a monument to President Woodrow Wilson, the Church of Saint Blaise, and the Path of Faith with over 40 chapels.