On December 15, 2023, in the Central Foyer of the National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” took place the sixth event of the “Ethnocafe” format under the “United in Diversity” project. The reference book “Who’s who in the Armenian community in Bulgaria – figures of culture, art and science” was presented.
The publication is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the sheltering in Bulgaria of the Armenians who escaped persecution in Ottoman Turkey (1920 – 1923).
Compilers of the references are Prof. Garo Mardirosyan, Vartanush Topakbashyan, Vartanush Zadikyan. They shared about their difficulties and joys related to the work on the publication and about the ways in which they collected the information included in it. It includes biographical information about active representatives of the Armenian community in Bulgaria, found predominantly through the Internet. The compilers shared their satisfaction with the numerous guild of Armenian doctors. They also shared that they failed to include everyone who deserved to be in such an edition. The book includes biographical data on 288 people from various spheres of the cultural and public life of the Armenian community in our country. It is divided into several parts – culture, science, medicine, sports. Information on representatives for various organizations, associations and clergy from the Armenian community throughout the country is also listed. The collection is distributed free of charge. An electronic edition has also been made, which can be consulted on the website of the National Library.
Some of the artists featured in the publication took part in the event. These were Haigashot Agassyan, Varan Annanian and the young writer Edi Rumian, who read a story from his collection “Banitsa s Lokum”. At the end of the evening, Haigashot Agasyan performed a New Year’s song in Armenian. After the official part, the guests had the opportunity to socialize over a glass of wine.
