Bulgarian News Agency’s press club opens in Odesa

This is reported by an Ukrinform correspondent.

BTA Director General Kiril Valchev noted that this is a sign of support for the Bulgarians in Ukraine.

“War does not stop life. News about the Bulgarians in Ukraine will be regularly present in the BTA news flow with the possibility to reach all media outlets in Bulgaria and the whole world,” Valchev said.

In his words, next year the BTA is planning to organize the World Meeting of Bulgarian Media in Odesa.

Valchev thanked Consul General of Bulgaria in Odesa Svetoslav Ivanov and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel for their assistance with the opening of the BTA press club. It currently employs one journalist, but the staff is expected to expand later.

Ukrinform Director General Oleksandr Kharchenko congratulated his Bulgarian colleagues on the opening of the press club.

“The event is indeed milestone, and I am proud of our friends from the BTA that they were not hindered by the war, enemy air attacks, or other criminal actions of the aggressor state. I see at least several reasons to open a press club and not a single reason not to do so,” Kharchenko noted.

In his words, the BTA’s presence in Odesa is of special importance for Ukrainian colleagues.

“You stood side by side with us on the information front against Russian propaganda and disinformation. The BTA is 125 years old, and Ukrinform is more than 105 years old. We know each other well, work together, and are members of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA). Now we will work together in Odesa,” Kharchenko emphasized.

Ukrinform’s Director General mentioned that the press club is located in the former building of France Hotel.

“In my opinion, there is beautiful symbolism here: the Bulgarian News Agency’s press club in the former France Hotel in modern Ukraine, which will soon also become a member state of the EU,” Kharchenko stressed.

The heads of the BTA and Ukrinform also signed an agreement on cooperation between the two agencies.

During the opening ceremony, Bulgarian writer Teodora Dimova presented her new book, Prayer for Ukraine.

“Today, I have heard the air raid sirens for the first time. This is very frightening. And you and your relatives experience such fear every day. I believe that spirit is the weapon of Ukrainians. Ukraine needs planes and weapons, but nothing can happen without spirit,” Dimova stated.

Photo:  Nina Liashonok, Ukrinform