"In the distant countries where they teach, Bulgarian teachers create Bulgaria." Writer Zdravka Evtimova, author of these words, will be a special guest at the annual conference of the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad, which will bring together teachers from all over the world in Veliko Tarnovo from July 22 to 25th. Radio Bulgaria is a media partner of the forum.

One of the most widely read native writers creates an idealized image of Bulgarian teachers abroad. During her frequent visits to educational centers, she sees them as "enlighteners," "people with spiritual light who transfer their spirit in students." That is why she opens her soul to people who have embraced as their mission the task of bringing Bulgaria closer to children through the Bulgarian language, history and culture. She still talks with excitement about a joint lesson of two Bulgarian schools in Cyprus:

"The teachers had made a play about Vasil Levski, whose role was played by a senior student,” Zdravka Evtimova recalls. “At the end, all people in the hall stood up and there were some tears in their eyes. This is what these Bulgarian teachers do. I saw them teaching young children to play horo dance, or reciting together with the students. At the Bulgarian school ‘Ivan Vazov’ in Paris, the principals Elena Sachkova and Yaneta Dimitrova had created a wonderful program - including everyone from the children in kindergarten to the high school graduates. The teacher knew it by heart and when someone had a trouble on stage, she would put her hand on their shoulder and say the words with a smile. I believe that teachers create unforgettable moments for their students, which they will carry as long as thought, consciousness and spirit live in them."

It was in the Parisian school where the official ceremony took place, at which the winners of the international literary competition "The Magic Pen", with the participation of children and young people from eighteen countries, received awards.

"Young people perceive Bulgaria as a place where magic comes true, where a person - as long as they are honest and brave - can realize their dreams. There were stories about good wizards; there were stories about the Rhodope Mountains, which remained in my heart; there was also a poem by 9-year-old Margarita, which read: ‘Autumn rolled like an orange from my lap. Please, trees, don't make noise!’ There were so many sincere and beautiful things that it was difficult for me to name the best. And when I presented the awards, the children trembled with joy."

Zdravka Evtimova also felt great joy, being part of the jury in the Bulgarian National Radio essay competition for young Bulgarians from Ukraine and Moldova: "But the source of this joy was different - I saw the responsibility of the Bulgarians, who had studied in detail the lives of Vasil Levski, Hristo Botev, Rayna Knyaginya." The participants had to answer the question: "Which historical figure would you like to talk to and what questions would you ask?".

"It's as if not a conversation, but a river of trust, a river of dreams flows between the author and the historical figure,” the writer adds. “What unites the two competitions is that in the minds of the people writing outside Bulgaria, our country shines with kindness and everything can be achieved in it. Of course, this idea is highly idealized, but a person with a similar spirit, feeling love for Bulgaria, would not be afraid of the difficulties here."

Curiosity about Bulgaria, nostalgia to once again experience the emotions of childhood and to relive the first love, a desire to verify the veracity of the stories enclosed between the covers of books – all this is what Zdravka Evtimova finds in the questions of compatriots and foreigners in her numerous meetings with admirers abroad.

"For Bulgarians abroad, Bulgaria continues to be a good remedy. Bulgarian words awaken not only memories, but also a desire to do something for our country,” she says. “Foreigners simply want to come and compare their sensations, which literature gives them, with reality."

Read also:

• Zdravka Evtimova: I want to see our heads unbowed obediently

Author: Diana Tsankova

Publication in English: Alexander Markov

Photos: SofiaPress, Bulgarian School "Ivan Vazov" in Paris, Bulgarian Sunday School "Rodna Striaha" - Cyprus, Facebook/Bci London