"BG Ben" – the publication of Bulgarians in the UK celebrates 20 years

On March 30, 2004, the first issue of a Bulgarian newspaper in Great Britain, "BG Ben", was published. The beginning was modest – eight pages in A4 format and a big dream – to become a unifier of Bulgarians on the Island. Today, 20 years later, the publication already has 32 color pages, a circulation of 6 thousand copies and is one of the few Bulgarian newspapers in the world that reach its readers in paper format.

‎"During this period, we have become the largest, and subsequently the only printed Bulgarian publication in the United Kingdom," the media team proudly says. The newspaper is free for the audience, is mainly financed by advertisements, and 1/3 of the funds are personal finances of the editorial team. ‎

The first advertisers in BG Ben were Severino Kozhuharov and Nezhdi Khalil, driven by the conviction that by advertising on the pages of the Bulgarian newspaper, they were actually defending a Bulgarian cause. After some time, in order to protect it and continue its mission to inform our compatriots in the United Kingdom about everything important in Bulgarian, they became owners and took over the work of creating and distributing the newspaper. They were joined by two more enthusiasts – Tsvetomir Ivanov and Ivelin Mitev, who is responsible for marketing and advertising. Currently, the editor-in-chief is Antonia Popova, who contributes to its publication from Bulgaria's Plovdiv.‎

‎"We are convinced that when you do something good, it will lead to even greater good. That is why we spare no effort and gratuitous work," they share on the pages of the anniversary edition of "BG Ben", which was officially presented in Sofia on December 19. It features interviews with some of the newspaper's friends over time, including Raina Mandzhukova, head of the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe, economists Nikolay Vassilev, Prof. Boyan Durankev, Svetozar Gledachev, Dimitrina Angelova - director of the Bulgarian National University "Boyan Maga", historian Prof. Plamen Pavlov, actor Vladislav Karamfilov and many others. We learn the story of the Bulgarian Maria Dimitrova, who travels an hour and a half to pick up each new issue of the publication.

"This is a 20-year work that builds bridges between two worlds, bringing people together and quenching our thirst for our ancestral roots," shares psychologist Mirena Vasileva.

‎"It is not easy, it has been very difficult to survive these 20 years, because the newspaper is generally supported by advertising and in fact we also subsidize it. Conceptually, it was a business project at the beginning, which changed into something completely different – into an ideal, a place where you can share what worries you or what you need. One example is Maria, who travels two hours to see the newspaper. I recently spoke with another woman at the Bulgarian embassy, who at the beginning of her emigrant life waited on Thursdays to receive the newspaper, which helped her leave the work situation she was in. Through the advertisement in the newspaper, she succeeded and this changed her life and she managed to survive in England, to find a job, to make the step from the smaller town in England to London. Every such story gives us the self-confidence to move forward. Yes, distribution is difficult. The newspaper is free – we are adamant about this! There is no way we can ask people for money. We distribute it in Bulgarian businesses, Bulgarian shops, in places where compatriots gather – at the embassy, at events. This is part of our efforts to keep the community alive", says Severino Kozhuharov.

He gives an example of his colleagues with whom they have similar businesses: "We are competitors outside the newspaper, but here we work as a team and this is an example of a dialogue that can be conducted in Bulgarian society, i.e. the newspaper is a unifier."

Severino Kozhuharov with Elena Karkalanova from Radio Bulgaria

The newspaper reaches Bulgarians not only in London, but also in Birmingham, Kent, Bristol, Manchester, Watford and Stockport … where else?

"Wherever we can and wherever someone orders it. We send it by mail so that people can receive it in paper form. Others read its digital version, and through Facebook and the web page we try to make it accessible to everyone everywhere. Step by step next year we will have a renewed website that will be competitive in the new digital world," explained to Radio Bulgaria Severino Kozhuharov, who was a special guest on Radio Bulgaria's Bulgarian-language podcast "Bulgaria Today".

The team's desire is for the newspaper to be a platform for the initiatives of our compatriots in the UK. Therefore, the publication supports various causes, and as the most significant in 2024 Severino Kozhuharov highlighted the work on the construction of a Bulgarian Orthodox church in London:

"This is perhaps the event of the year that unites people, us as immigrants, to help with something that will remain long in the future. There, I truly know that the Bulgarian state is helping to build a jewel, which we expect, God willing, to be ready at the end of February - on the 23rd, if I'm not mistaken. It takes a lot of effort from many people, many obstacles, but things are going well and we will be blessed with a unique place where we can share joys and sorrows."

Ambassador Marin Raykov: UK has established itself as a key partner of Bulgaria

Severino Kozhuharov with Raina Madzhukova

The newspaper's active participation in the life of the Bulgarian community in the United Kingdom has been highly appreciated by the Executive Directorate for Bulgarians Abroad, which supported the publication of the anniversary magazine of "BG Ben", and the executive director Raina Mandzhukova presented an honorary plaque to the Bulgarian newspaper "BG Ben" through Severino Kozhuharov.

"Bulgarians abroad are sentimental, we live in the past and we have a huge need for spiritual food. We are like some kind of Bulgarians from the old days who preserve these Bulgarian letters and that is why the newspaper is still published on paper, people need it," Mr. Kozhuharov told Radio Bulgaria