On March 25th, on the Feast of the Annunciation, H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui,

the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of Bulgaria and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, was awarded the prestigious "Golden Pen" plaque by the Union of Bulgarian Journalists (SBJ). The award ceremony took place as part of the annual meeting in March, a tradition that brings together female ambassadors and diplomats with journalists. The meeting was initiated by Mrs. Snezhana Todorova, Chair of the Management Board of SBJ.

This year, several ambassadors attended the event at the "Journalist" Club, including H. E. Mrs. Tsovinar Hambartsumyan, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Armenia, H. E. Mrs. Catherine Bannon, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ireland, H. E. Mrs. Lkhagvasuren Sayanaa, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Mongolia, H. E. Mrs. Eleonora Mitrofanova, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation, H. E. Mrs. Natasha Bergel, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Slovenia, Mrs. Wan Min, Deputy Head of Mission, at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, and other diplomats.

The meeting featured a 25-minute short film titled "Snails" (2017), directed by Albena Puneva. As the film was introduced, critic Dr. Olga Markova emphasized that it carries a "huge message" about religious tolerance, understanding, and solidarity, as well as connections between generations and different ethnicities in Bulgaria, alongside moral norms.

The guests also enjoyed musical performances. Ten-year-old Nia Ndiziye, a student of Ventsislav Penev from the New Iskar community center, sang two Bulgarian folk songs. Young journalist Alexandra Dudova performed a song by Barbara Streisand.

Antoaneta Tityanova from the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and a member of the SBJ Management Board, reminded everyone of the important day for Bulgarians, the Feast of the Annunciation, when nature awakens to new life after winter.

The climax of the meeting was the awarding of the honorary "Golden Pen" plaque to H. E. Mrs. Ambassador Zakia El Midaoui. Mrs. Snezhana Todorova presented the Ambassador and announced that the plaque was awarded "For her contribution to the development of cooperation with SBJ" and expressed the hope that "our relations will remain as pure and beautiful" as the ambassador’s name, Zakia, meaning purity and beauty.

It is worth mentioning that the fruitful cooperation between the SBJ and H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui began shortly after her arrival in Bulgaria in 2017. That year, the "Spectrum 21st Century" Association, the Moroccan Embassy, and the Union of Bulgarian Journalists organized a celebration under the motto "Show the Tradition! Give the Celebration!" Held at the Moroccan residence, the event was a great success. It showcased national women’s clothing from both Morocco and Bulgaria, turning it into an unforgettable celebration for all guests. You can read more about it HERE.

Over the years, many more events have been organized with the support or under the patronage of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Bulgaria. Among them stands out the "Moroccan Poetry Evening in Sofia" held at the "Journalist" Club of SBJ, organized jointly with the "Europe and the World" Foundation.

All attending female ambassadors applauded and warmly congratulated H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui on receiving the prestigious award. In addition to the plaque, the Ambassador also received a painting as a gift to remember the meeting. Later, amid many smiles and flowers, the guests engaged in lively conversations, enjoying the delightful Moroccan tea and sweets offered by the Moroccan Ambassador.

As they departed, each guest received a Bulgarian rose from the Management Board of SBJ, presented by the manager of the "Journalist" Club, poet and bard Ivaylo Dimanov, to bring joy on the Feast of the Annunciation.

Photos: "Diplomatic Spectrum"

Above: H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of Bulgaria and doyen of the diplomatic corps, was awarded the high distinction - the "Golden Pen" plaque of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, which was presented to her by Ms. Snezhana Todorova, Chairwoman of the Board of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists.

First row: presenter Maria Radkova and the manager of the "Journalist" Club, poet and bard Ivaylo Dimanov open the meeting of the ambassadors with journalists; Mrs. Snezhana Todorova welcomes her guests; critic Dr. Olga Markova presents the film "Snails" /2017/; its director Ms. Albena Puneva. Second row: 10-year-old Niya Ndiziye performs a Bulgarian folk song; H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui with the "Golden Pen" plaque of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists and Mrs. Snezhana Todorova; a photo with some of the ambassadors present; the two singers - Nia Ndiziye and Alexandra Dudova tasting Moroccan tea.