Bulgarian Cultural and Historical Heritage Presented in Pakistan
In the period May 28 - June 4, 2025, the Bulgarian Embassy in Pakistan organized a series of cultural events that presented Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage in Islamabad and Lahore. These events were dedicated to May 24 - the Day of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Pakistan.
The main event in the program was the photo exhibition "Ancient Treasures of Bulgaria", shown within the framework of the "Traveling Exhibitions" program of the State Institute for Culture under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and organized in partnership with the Institute of Balkan Studies with the Center for Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IBCT-BAS).
The exhibition was opened on May 31, 2025 at the cultural center of Pakistan in Lahore - the prestigious Al Hamra Arts Council, and on June 3, 2025 at the Bulgarian Embassy in Islamabad. Special guests of the event were the Minister of Information and Culture of the Punjab Province, Ms. Azma Bukhari, and Ambassador Irena Gancheva. Experts from the IBCT-BAS also participated in the discoveries, such as Chief Assistant Professor Dr. Alexandra Milanova, Scientific Coordinator of the Institute, who presented in detail the ancient treasures of Bulgaria.
The exhibition attracted over 130 guests in Islamabad and aroused strong interest among representatives of the diplomatic corps, the political and cultural elite of Pakistan, as well as among Bulgarian citizens in the country. The gold and silver artifacts, including the Panagyurishte and Valchitran treasures, aroused particular admiration.
The exhibition was also noted in the Pakistani media, as well as on social platforms, as a significant cultural event within the framework of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Pakistan. In addition to the exhibition, the events included lectures by Dr. Alexandra Milanova on topics related to the ancient history and culture of Bulgaria. They were organized at renowned universities in Islamabad and Lahore and aroused great interest among Pakistani students and professors.
The initiative supported better understanding and cultural exchange between Bulgaria and Pakistan and strengthened Bulgaria’s position as an important partner in cultural diplomacy and an exceptional source of ancient cultural values that enrich the global cultural scene.