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Address to the Readers

of Svetilnik

I have immense pleasure in introducing to the readers the 20th
edition of Svetilnik. This unique bilingual publication, first pub-
lished in 1997, has been spreading light to bring Bulgarians closer
to the magic of India. This special 20th anniversary issue is dedi-
cated to the landmark State Visit of the Hon’ble President of India,
His Exellency Mr. Ram Nath Kovind to Bulgaria from 4-6 Septem-
ber 2018, which will be the first VVIP visit from India to Bulgaria
since 2003.
India-Bulgaria relations are extremely warm, multifaceted
and vibrant. Steeped in antiquity with a strong people-to-people
connect, they have today acquired a robustness and vigour which
offers innumerable new opportunities to our citizens to engage
across trade and tourism, commerce and culture, education and
research President Kovind’s visit will undoubtedly impart fresh
momentum to bilateral engagement across the political, economic
and socio-cultural pillars as we seek to build a forward looking
21st century partnership.
This issue of Svetilnik covers the entire spectrum of India-Bul-
garia relations, viewed through the lens of various contributors,
both Bulgarian and Indian. The many facets of our rich and varied
linkages through the centuries have been brought to life, alongside
contemporary efforts by the Embassy of India in Sofia, Friends of
India Club and various other partners in both countries to raise
the profile and enhance the content of the relationship. I hope this
publication will be of interest to Indophiles in Bulgaria as well as
academics and scholars interested in the history, traditions and
culture of India and the multi-dimensional present day engage-
ment between our countries.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the editorial
board of Svetilnik and all those who have contributed towards pub-
lication of this special 20th anniversary edition.
Happy reading!

Pooja Kapur
Ambassador of India
6 August 2018