Standart News

- When did you start learning the Bulgarian language?
- This happened three years ago. At the beginning I wasn't sure enough that I would choose Bulgaria for my home, but when this became clear I invested considerable efforts in learning Bulgarian language. It's too difficult, you know, especially to an Englishman.
- How did you decide to remain here?
- It was a great surprise to me. I came with the wind.
- What kind of a wind?
- I can't tell if this was a good or a bad kind of wind: this happened four years ago in a complex combination of circumstances and I settled here, in Bulgaria.
- Why haven't you taken part in a Bulgarian film yet?
- Maybe, when I have perfect command of Bulgarian language, I will be invited to play in a Bulgarian movie, too.
- Why so many Englishmen have chosen to live in Bulgaria?
- It's obvious (He says this in pure Bulgarian). There are two main reasons. I've read an interview with the Bulgarian President, published in Sofia Echo before Bulgaria's EU accession. The President forecast that many foreigners would come to live in Bulgaria. I don't know if he had an idea how many would come, as a matter of fact. Most of the people who settled in Bulgaria bought a house in Great Britain some 20-30 years ago. During these years the prices of the real estates in England went up. If 20 years ago one bought a house for 80,000 pounds, it's now worth some 300,000. After retiring one can sell it at a profit. Isn't it wonderful to come to Bulgaria, buy a nice house for some 50,000 euro and keep the rest in a bank?
- So, it's the cheap real estates?
- No, it's not. The Englishmen would never live in a country that they don't like. Do you know, when a foreigner asks me where I live and hears my answer, he says: "Great". And the Bulgarians ask: "Why?"
- How would you explain this difference in the reactions?
- Five hundred years under the Ottoman rule, a short break, the Communist regime... and now this totalitarian system called 'democracy.' After so many years without a state of their own the Bulgarians naturally prefer to live and work abroad. I grow sad seeing so many young people going to earn their living abroad and I really hope that they will return to re-invest their money and knowledge here. To a foreigner like me, Bulgaria is a beautiful country and could be turned into state to be proud of.
-  What were your first impressions of the Bulgarians and did they change with time?
- Well, I should be very careful now. When I arrived in Bulgaria I was impressed by the great number of beautiful women. After this I started paying attention to all the people: I have wonderful Bulgarian friends who have taught me what devotion and real feelings are.
Krum Blagov
(Abridged)