19th June 2015 Sofia, Bulgaria
UK embassies around the world along with my Foreign Minister this week commemorate the 800 year anniversary since the sealing of Magna Carta in a tented encampment on the banks of the River Thames in 1215. Magna Carta has become a strong British brand – over the centuries it has come to stand for much […]
11th December 2014
As British Ambassador I am asked almost as often by Bulgarians what I say about their country to investors, as I am asked by investors what I think about Bulgaria. I answer the same to both: a wonderful country, with real potential and excellent people, but some big problems, particularly in the rule of law […]
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16th October 2014
Every year since 2007 on Blog Action Day, thousands of bloggers come together to talk about one important issue, like poverty, climate change and human rights amongst others. This year the event is held on 16 October and the theme is inequality. HMA Jonathan Allen joins the initiative and blogs why to defeat intolerance and inequality, we must have […]
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24th September 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
by Hilary Arthur Hilary Arthur lived in Bulgaria from 2001 to 2005 and worked at the British Embassy Sofia. She was the first custodian of the West Wing of the British Ambassador’s Residence in Sofia. The story she sent us for the #100UKBG series is about her happy time in the house. The announcement of the events to […]
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10th July 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
by Jane Burner Jane Burner lived in Bulgaria between 1970-1972 and 1984-1987 when her husband Alan Burner was 3rd Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission respectively at the British Embassy in Sofia. Many foreign diplomats and their families lived in the house on 69 Oborishte Street. During our second posting in Bulgaria, we lived in a house not […]
4th July 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
by Mel Barber Mel Barber fell in love with Bulgaria, the Bulgarian people and the Bulgarian way of life almost straight after coming to the country. After spending only a month in their recently-bought holiday house in Bulgaria, Mel and her boyfriend decided to move to the country permanently. Today, five years later, they enjoy life in the […]
10th June 2014
Today, I am travelling to Obstina Thompson in Svoge Municipality, in the beautiful Iskar Gorge. I am taking part in a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the death of Major Frank Thompson, executed by the forces of the wartime, pro-Nazi government. Thompson was a member of the British Communist Party. The partisans are of […]
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31st May 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
by Sarah Lampert Sarah Lampert was Third (later Second) Secretary Political in Sofia from 1991 to 1994. Her memories of Bulgaria are of the challenging time of transition between the old guard and the old way of doing things, and the new, but also of the relaxed and sunny atmosphere in Sofia, the stunning Bulgarian […]
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16th May 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
by Lynn Bailie Lynn Bailie originates from Sunderland in the North East of England. She lives with her husband and son in a village near Burgas. Five years after buying a house in Bulgaria they moved to Bulgaria permanently. “That’s the way people do things here. Everyone who gave up their time to help were […]
13th May 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
by David Stokes David Stokes was Director of British Council Bulgaria from 1991 to 1997. He was the first British diplomat to stay in a Bulgarian family whilst learning the language. David was also asked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to “run the British Council as if it was in Western Europe’”. David and his wife Pepy […]
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