In the days when we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Bulgarian National Radio, we talk to one of the emblematic figures in the recent history of the oldest media in Bulgaria - Raina Konstantinova who ended her professional career as director of the Radio Department of the European Broadcasting Union, the organization bringing together more than 70 public operators from across Europe. Mrs. Konstantinova’s career as a journalist started in the English Section of the Foreign Language Broadcasts Department of the BNR. What is the place of the BNR within the whole spectrum of European public radio stations?

"I have always enjoyed making these comparisons because the BNR holds a worthy place compared to other large and small radio organizations in Europe. And I must say that the BNR has often been cited as a good example, especially for the way in which it very quickly changed its technical facilities, turning to digitalization, as well as for its content in terms of format, genres and modern approach. And this is mostly because of its talents. The Bulgarian National Radio possesses a special knack of finding, creating and protecting its talents. With the advent of the digital era in communications, the Bulgarian National Radio was one of the first media outlets which switched to these modern technologies. Very quickly the people have changed the way in which they listen to the radio - out of every 10 people, 5 listen to the radio over the Internet. Radio is now accessed via blogs, twitter, web, etc. The BNR managed to do all this quickly and efficiently without significant financial investment. And I must say that the BNR has one of the most loyal and high-quality audiences and enjoys a high degree of public trust. Regardless of the huge explosion in the 1990s of private radio stations, the Bulgarian National Radio has remained the leader, although it itself gave staff to many of the new radio stations."

The radio does not tolerate cheap fame. But radio is a medium that teaches modesty, Raina Konstantinova points out.

"The radio does not scream that it is the leader. If it starts shouting out loud, it gets tired very quickly. In radio you cannot have cheap fame and easy achievements. In the radio medium you are required to constantly improve your skills. And the BNR has built over the years many strong individuals and radio personalities.”

Taking a look back at the start of her journalistic career as an editor with English in the foreign service of the Bulgarian National Radio, now Radio Bulgaria, and then up on the ladder of the national media, Raina Konstantinova remembers the stimulating atmosphere of the birth of ideas in a friendly team of enthusiastic professionals.

"We had chosen for us the professional challenge of doing journalism in a foreign language. This compelled us to be very good and try to attain the best international standards. I remember the rapid change in generations that occurred at one point, these young, wonderful, passionate people who came. I remember how the boring, monotonous, long shows were transformed into dynamic reporter's stories, a modern approach with a focus on people. Through the interviews that we were making in 12 or 13 languages with people from various countries it was as if the whole world was coming to visit us. The challenge of making journalism targeted at human stories in a foreign language for foreign audiences is something I think many people still do not understand and are unaware of how difficult and responsible this task is and that it is actually a form of art. I have magnificent memories of all my colleagues, not only from the English section but also from the Central Information Service of Radio Bulgaria where I later worked. I think I was extremely lucky to start my professional career and grow in such an environment.”

English Rossitsa Petcova