So different, so close – for two twinning cities

Written by Desislava , BG

A Bulgarian proverb says: A brother won’t feed his brother, but woe betide whoever has none.( Even though family can only help so far, it’s always better to have them around.) There have always been crises in the world. People usually look for close and distant friends, but for real friends in adverse moments.

My thought is about friendship in all its dimensions. Everybody must take care to close. It was said in the teachings of Confucius. I have always been brought up in this spirit. This philosophy reminded me Kong Siaglin, which is the 75th successor of Confucius. He was a dear guest in my home town. I don’t `know whether this is enshrined in the idea of establishing a twinning organizations, but it’s certainly true today. Actually, let me mention that the foundations of friendship between Bulgaria and China put in the time when approve the idea of twinning.

The emergence of the idea of town twinning comes with attempts to overcome the consequences of World War II. Odessa and Vancouver are the heads of the twinning in 1944, at this from different continents. The president Eisenhower created the program “People to People” (1956) and the subsequent movement “Sisters Cities” in the US. In the main they were    the people in order to create and strengthen partnerships and twinning arrangements through which to expand international cooperation to develop cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development. From that moment until now these two twinning cities successfully continue to maintain the flame of brotherhood and friendship. As the Chinese say: “When many people are gathering twigs for the fire, then the flame will rise so higher.”

My first encounter with anything Chinese was in 2000. As the Bulgarians say: The food makes strength. One day after work “almost dieing of starvation” in a new opened Chinese restaurant. I don’t know if because I was hungry, but he licked the fingers of the incredibly delicious meal. I was curious to meet with the author of specialties. I was surprised that a 19 year old accountant, arrived in Bulgaria with his uncle. I had no explanation for myself how the first available flight from Beijing leads exactly in Sofia. In fact, the uncle of the youngster was already the owner of a Chinese restaurant whose success at that time was at its peak. The basis of this “delicious story” was Bulgarian ballerina. The sudden death of her father and severely financially position taking her to the idea of opening a Chinese restaurant. The young chef rotates 140 specialties. He has its own room in the home and the dancer is like a brother to her son, even classmates called him Chinese. In the 90 years laid the foundations of the Chinese Cultural Centre of the University of Veliko Tarnovo and the club “Friends of China” in Humanitarian Secondary School in the old town, take part of Chinese Chambers in the annual International Folklore Festival. I know that what unites us is not only martenitsa and the monument of Hristo Botev in Beijing, and the warmth and hospitality in relations between the two nations with rich ancient cultures. The bridge is placed in cultural cooperation is carried out an act of twinning between the town of Veliko Tarnovo and Xi’an in 2006. Once a group of Bulgarian tourists went to this Chinese city asked a taxi driver if he knew about the friendship between Veliko Tarnovo and Xi’an. He replied that he knew about Bulgaria, but he did not know this fact. Ever he heard of Bulgaria. Ever he had heard of Bulgaria. Bulgarian tourists tried to explain him in more detail and decided to emphasize the fact that the ancient capital Tarnovo. Then smiling, he asked them how many dynasties was the capital Tarnovo, because Xi’an was the capital of 10 dynasties. From his question was evident that pride typical of people born in cities with a rich and long history. Although the calculation of the exact number of dynasties is a difficult task, according to some researchers Xi’an was the capital of 17, while other 13 dynasties safer is one that was the capital not small dinasties and the most advanced and wealthy ones . From his question was evident that pride typical of people born in cities with a rich and long history. Although the calculation of the exact number of dynasties is a difficult task, according to some researchers Xi’an was the capital of 17, while other 13 dynasties safer is one that was the capital not small dinasties and the most advanced and wealthy ones. We, Bulgarians are also proud of its history, anything that is measured on a smaller scale and therefore tourists said they Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian kingdom for 200 years. The truth is that both peoples have something to be proud of scale and size, with a long and rich history, traditions and not at least of friendship, exchange of cultural delegations. The twinning as an opportunity for convergence of citizens across borders is part of life in Europe by 1950, and in 1957 created the World Association of twinned towns. An Eisenhower’s idea of “people to people” has long exceeded the limits of the old continent, and this is possible in today’s globalized world. “Every long journey begins with a single step”, and our steps have been taken back in 1949 and continues today. If a person is a truly European, it must be ready to draw on the identities of others and to give of themselves to promote their own culture. The Twin cities of Veliko Tarnovo has long exceeded the European borders and that have reached such large countries such as China, contributes to the development and recognition as a modern European city of cultural values worldwide.