20-year anniversary
Another Year of 127 Hours
0442 days
Deni, our resident film critic
Celebrating our 20th anniversary in Bulgaria, British Council presents a powerful and diverse programme within the 15th Sofia International Film Festival. This year we have the pleasure to present six feature films and four tempting documentaries. (more…)
Tony Buckby – Director British Council Bulgaria from 2007 to present
0456 days
Tony Buckby
Time and time again when speaking with ex-colleagues who had lived and worked in Bulgaria I heard them exclaim ”What a privilege it was to be in Sofia!” After driving across Europe to get here at the end of 2007 and entering the city only to crash violently into potholes that I failed to spot because of the torrential rain I must say that I felt like turning the car around. Getting back to more familiar and firmer ground seemed a better option! (more…)
Ian Stewart – Director British Council Bulgaria from 2002 to 2007
0456 days
Ian Stewart
When you are new to a country, you want to get things right and the Martinitsa tradition caused me maximum angst in March 2003. Which to buy? Not too big/too feminine/too childish/too expensive, then remember to take them on the day itself, the ‘feeding frenzy’ of exchanging them so that you ended up with the same number you started with, then the mantra of good wishes in Bulgarian or English, and finally how long to continue wearing your decorations. Worry was unnecessary of course, better to go with the flow and avoid panic , however close the deadline. (more…)
Kevin Lewis – Director British Council Bulgaria from 1997 to 2002
0456 days
Kevin Lewis
London, Late March, 1997. Warm, spring sunshine. Drive south, nearer the sun.
Sofia, 1 April 1997. Snow, ice, penetrating cold. Everyone completely wrapped up and looking fed up. How did that happen? I didn’t go south to get cold.
Don’t worry, they say. In a month or so it will be warm. Blossom will be out, and so will the summer clothes. Pavement cafes alive with colour and people’s legs. It seemed wildly unlikely. (more…)
David Stokes – Director British Council Bulgaria from 1991 to 1997
0456 days
David Stokes
I learnt of my posting to Bulgaria whilst still in Sao Paulo and I looked forward to it with a mixture of anticipation, excitement and a few misgivings. My previous direct contact with the country had been limited to a failed attempt to get a transit visa in 1964 and my eldest son’s reports of his school skiing trip to Vitosha in the early 80’s. ‘They drink apple juice and there’s a place with lots of bells in a circle’.