At the invitation of H. E. Mr. Joël Meyer, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Bulgaria,

the Mayor of Ardino Municipality, Eng. Izet Shaban, attended the reception held on the occasion of France’s National Day. The event took place on July 14th at the Boyana Residence in Sofia and brought together the country’s elite.

While offering his congratulations on the occasion and as a sign of respect, Mayor Izet Shaban presented the French Ambassador with a painting depicting one of the municipality’s natural wonders — the Meanders of the Arda River. The artwork was created by the young and talented artist from Ardino, Suzan Cholakova. Until recently, she was a student at "Vasil Levski" Secondary School in Ardino and a participant in the Fine Arts School at the Center for Personal Development Support — Municipal Children’s Complex in the town. Today, she is a university student and an active initiator and participant in various socially significant projects in Ardino.

It is worth mentioning that in March this year, the French Ambassador, accompanied by fellow diplomats, paid a one-day visit to Ardino and was captivated by the municipality’s beautiful nature, the hospitality of its people, and his meeting with the students from "Vasil Levski" Secondary School who are studying French. The Mayor introduced him to the town’s landmarks and ongoing projects, and raised the idea of a potential partnership and twinning between Ardino Municipality and a similar-sized municipality in France, aiming for fruitful cooperation on topics of mutual interest.

Photo: Municipality of Ardino

In the center: H. E. Mr. Joël Meyer, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Bulgaria, at the reception, holding the painting gift. To his left is his wife Zoé, and to his right – Mayor of Ardino Municipality, Eng. Izet Shaban, along with other guests.