For yet another year events in Bulgaria will mark an Irish holiday loved by many Bulgarians. It is the Day of Saint Patrick - a Christian missionary and patron saint of Ireland. On this occasion, the Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria, with the support of the Municipality of Sofia, organizes a "Feast of Irish Culture". It will be opened on March 17 with a special exhibition on the Bridge of Lovers in Sofia. The exhibition will present the multi-layered cultural wealth of the country through 40 photographs illustrating its literary, musical, film and architectural heritage.

While walking on the Bridge of Lovers, the citizens of Sofia will be able to get acquainted with some of the most iconic buildings in Ireland from prehistory to the present day, learn more about Irish and international films shot in the country and see what traditional Irish musical instruments look like. The exhibition presents not only famous Irish writers, but also Bulgarian translators who have made their works available to Bulgarian readers.

To turn the Day of St. Patrick in a colorful experience, the organizers have provided a spectacular attraction. On March 17, several buildings in Sofia, Tryavna, Vidin, Ruse and Veliko Tarnovo will shine in green. The lighting of the buildings is part of Ireland's global initiative to illuminate world landmarks in green on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day. Patrick, who in 2021 turns 11 years old. So far, more than 450 buildings have been illuminated in green around the world.

This year Bulgaria and Ireland will mark 31 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (July 11, 1990). 

You will be able to hear an interview with the Irish Ambassador in Sofia Martina Feeney on March 17 on the English-language page of Radio Bulgaria.

Compiled by: Veneta Nikolova