In honour of the Diplomat Day – 10 February, Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" paid tribute and laid flowers at the monument of Count Nikolay Ignatiev - a world famous diplomat who was declared a knight on the Balkans, who signed the freedom of Bulgaria in San Stefano. On behalf of the management of VFU, the Head of the Foreign Language Teaching Department and the Russian Centre at VFU Prof. Galina Shamonina laid flowers at the memorial plaque of Alexander Rachinski, the first Vice Consul of Russia in Varna.
The ceremony was attended by the ambassador of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria – His Excellency Anatoliy Makarov, the General Consul of Russia in Varna, Vladimir Klimanov, the General Consul of Russia in Ruse - Andrey Gromov, the Varna Mayor Ivan Portnih, the Regional Governor Stoyan Pasev, the Chairperson of the Municipal Council Todor Balabanov, politicians and public figures.
"I am happy to note that the relations between our two countries are developing more and more dynamically and we have a lot to do at all levels of interaction," Ambassador Makarov said in his speech. "The principles of Count Ignatiev are live and in our time also - again the subject of the spiritual immunity of the Slavic world and of Europe as a whole still stands. Even more obvious are the lessons of Ignatiev's diplomacy. I am convinced that the connection between our peoples is established not by accident, but thanks to our common features - firmness, courage, dedication and love to our native homeland," the ambassador said. He added that this year marks 140 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Russia.