It is important for successful Bulgarians abroad to participate in life in Bulgaria in order to show that going abroad is not a decision, nor is it a final choice, said Rayna Mandzhukova, executive director of the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad. country (IABCH), in an interview for BTA.

"It means you can go abroad, succeed and come back - you can go, succeed and help those who are here in some way. It's also important to them because the homeland it's homeland", Mandzhukova said.

Mandzhukova participated in the Jazz Festival in Bansko, where she presented plaques to three musicians Viki Almazidou, Ivaylo Kovachev and Boris Dinev, for promoting Bulgarian culture around the world. This is a sign of recognition for these Bulgarians abroad, Mandzhukova noted.

"As the head of the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, one of the goals I have set for myself is to ensure that as many Bulgarians abroad as possible participate in the events that take place in Bulgaria - scientific symposia, summer schools for teachers and various activities cultural," said Mandzhukova.

"This is also the reason that during the last two years I have established contacts with various structures and organizations in Bulgaria in all sectors. This led to my meeting with Iliana Shtereva-Ivanova, president of the Association of Bulgarian Festivals in Bulgaria, who is co-organizer of the Jazz Festival in Bansko. This Association does many interesting things for both adults and children. We started working with them and as a result of this cooperation, we made it possible for a girl of Bulgarian origin from Moldova to take part in Vicky Almazidu's master class, on our initiative and with the support and funding of the Agency", emphasized Mandzhukova.

"I took advantage of my time in Bansko and had a productive meeting with the mayor Stoycho Banenski, as I am trying to establish more contacts with the municipalities in Bulgaria. The goal is to organize different events where we can invite children from abroad," Mandzhukova said.

She added that the Association of Festivals in Bulgaria also organizes a festival for school orchestras and one of the future ideas is that Bulgarian children from abroad will also participate in the next edition.

"Every interaction, especially between children - Bulgarian children from abroad meet Bulgarian children from other countries and them here - is an investment in Bulgaria. It is mainly for our children who come to Bulgaria and get to know it; this is a chance for them to love it", she said.

According to her, this is also important for children in Bulgaria, who will know that there are Bulgarians in other countries as well. "If this is done continuously, we will eradicate this mentality of being a small nation." /BTA