On July 25, in the city park "Nuri Adala" in Momchilgrad, songs from the Balkan countries were performed.

The concert of Hristo Paskalev-Pascal "The Balkans in my heart" was the culmination of the Evening of Tolerance in the town and delighted the hearts of hundreds of citizens of Momchilgrad. The musical event was part of the XIV traditional international meeting of Momchilgrad residents "Momchilgrad always in my heart" and its media partner was the online edition "Diplomatic Spectrum".

Among the official guests of the Evening of Tolerance were H. E. Ms. Donika Hoxha, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Albania to the Republic of Bulgaria, H. E. Ms. Agneza Rusi Popovska, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Plovdiv Mr. Korhan Küngerü, the regional leader of the MRF Mr. Resmi Murad, the Chairman of the Association of the residents of Momchilgrad in the town of Momchilgrad. Bursa, Turkey, Ms. Mestanie Efe and others. The Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic H. E. Mr. Alexios Liberopoulos sent a greeting address.

The event was opened by the Mayor of Momchilgrad Mrs. Ilknur Kyazim, who, in her welcoming speech emphasized, "The Balkans are a place where people of different religions and ethnicities live in peace and understanding. It is we who must preserve and pass on to the next generation this priceless treasure – peace; teach them to keep the values and virtues we have learned from our ancestors". And she added: "With the Evening of Tolerance Momchilgrad sends a message of peace, understanding and tolerance in the Balkans." The ambassadors present at the event also congratulated the citizens of Momchilgrad.

The evening of tolerance began with a performance by the group "Rumeli" from the Turkish town of Tekirdag. After them, a folklore group from the Serbian municipality of Babushnitsa presented authentic dances. The group was in Momchilgrad thanks to H. E. Željko M. Jović, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Bulgaria. At the same time, on one of the alleys in the park, one could see two photo exhibitions presenting Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia as tourist destinations, and the Republic of Turkey had a stand where demonstrations of hand stamping on textiles were carried out. All this was realized with the cooperation of the embassies of these countries in Bulgaria. But. . .

In order to live together in the Balkans and in Europe, we should also sing their popular tunes together!

The concert of Hristo Paskalev-Pascal started with the song "Fatherland", and he shared with the audience that wherever one goes in the world, one always returns to the home land, just as the people of Momchilgrad did this evening for the XIV traditional international meeting "Momchilgrad always in my heart". He then performed some of the most popular melodic songs from the Balkan countries, which were enthusiastically applauded by the residents and guests of the city. The emotional highlight of the concert was the song "Bulgaria". Before he sang it, Pascal said part of its verses, written by the poet Lozan Takev: "I didn't choose a place for my homeland, / I was born here and here I will die, / Bulgaria is my ballot / and this is what I want to choose!".

For this last performance, together with the artist, the children from the Municipal Children's Complex, led by Mrs. Detelina Rutova, and the ladies from the dance group "Ahrida", led by Mrs. Mariana Tihova, who took part in the choreography, also came on stage. The concert ended with lots of smiles, flowers and applause!

The evening of tolerance in Momchilgrad proved that in the Balkans, all together, we can create good and wonderful things!

XIV traditional international meeting of Momchilgrad residents "Momchilgrad always in my heart" continues. Throughout the week Momchilgrad Municipality offers its citizens and guests a rich and varied cultural program.

"Diplomatic Spectrum" would like to thank the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria for the books - gifts for the children from the kindergarten Momchilgrad, for their contribution to the concert.

Photos: 1-4, 12 - Momchilgrad Municipality; 5-11 - Acelia Yumer, Hafizé Durmouch and "Diplomatic Spectrum".

Above: Hristo Paskalev-Pascal at the finale of the concert "The Balkans in my Heart"

First row: The Mayor of Momchilgrad Municipality, Mrs. Ilknur Kyazim, welcomed the residents and guests of the town at the Evening of Tolerance; the performances of the group "Rumeli" from the Turkish town of Tekirdag and the folklore formation from the Serbian municipality of Babushtnica; the official guests of the Evening of Tolerance from left to right. Mrs. Agneza Russi Popovska, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of North Macedonia to our country /on her left is her husband/, the Mayor of Momchilgrad Municipality - Mrs. Ilknur Kyazim, H. E. Ms. Donika Hoxha, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Albania, the Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Plovdiv Mr. Korhan Küngerü, the Chairman of the Association of the citizens of Momchilgrad in the town of Plovdiv. Bursa, Turkey, Mrs. Mestanie Efe and the regional leader of the MRF Mr. Resmi Murad.

Second row: the concert of Hristo Paskalev-Pascal; on the stage with the children from the Municipal Children's Complex, led by Mrs. Detelina Ratova; with the ladies from the dance group "Ahrida", with leader Mrs. Mariana Tihova; the final performance of the song "Bulgaria".

Third row: after the concert - Hristo Paskalev-Pascal with the children from the Municipal Children's Complex and their leaders; before the concert with Mrs. Guluzar Ismail, Deputy Mayor of Momchilgrad Municipality with the portfolio of Education, Culture, Sports, Tourism, Health, Youth and Social Activities; with Ms. Hafizé Durmouch, Director of the Community Support Centre in Momchilgrad, and Mrs. Detelina Ratova, leader of the ladies of the dance group "Ahrida"; the stand in the park, presenting Albania as a tourist destination.