On the occasion of the 213th anniversary of the May Revolution, on May 31, H. E. Mr. Alfredo Nestor Atanasoff,

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Argentina to the Republic of Bulgaria, and his wife - Mrs. Lucrecia Maria Vanni, gave a reception at their residence. It was attended by numerous guests amongst whom were the Vice President of the National Assembly, Mrs. Rositsa Kirova, the Deputy Prime Minister and minister of the internal affairs Mr. Ivan Demerdzhiev, the Minister of Economy and Industry Mr. Nikola Stoyanov, ambassadors, representatives of the national and local authorities and the diplomatic corps, Argentines living in our country, friends.

His Excellency Mr. Alfredo Nestor Atanasoff addressed his guests with a welcome:

Today we find ourselves here to commemorate the National Day of the Argentine Republic, a date that reminds us of the determination and the courage of the inhabitants of our land in that May of 1810, when they rose to fight for equality.

The May Revolution, as it is known in our country, was a profoundly democratic act that laid the foundations to our independence and the construction of our national identity.

It is important to point out that the May Revolution was not an isolated event in history. It was part of a much larger movement that had been taking place in America at that moment, where the people sought to build their own history.

In that sense, the May Revolution of 1810 marked the beginning of a democratic process in our country, where the doors to political participation were now open to all those that before had had no say in their own land.

In this very special day, I want to emphasise the importance of amicable relationship and cooperation between countries.

As Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Republics of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, I am proud to celebrate our national day representing my country in the presence of two States with which we share fundamental values of democracy and peace.

We have a long history of friendship with Bulgaria, that goes back to the 1930s, while with North Macedonia we have developed a close relationship from the beginning of this century.

Both in Bulgaria and in North Macedonia, we have always been received with the doors wide open, which have encouraged communication and cooperation both on governmental level and among the communities of the countries.

Due to this, I will take advantage of this opportunity to express my utmost gratitude to the authorities of both countries for their receptiveness and collaborative spirit in the joint work that we have carried out in these past years.

I also want to take a chance to recall the emigrants of these dear Balkan lands that settled down in Argentina and were welcomed with open arms.

In our homeland, the interest in working and progressing has been put above all else, be it religious, cultural or idiomatic differences.

My thoughts also go to all Argentinians that live in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, to whom I urge to always keep the memory of our motherland alive as well as the ideal of equality handed down by our national heroes.

It is in this special day, that I raise my glass to toast for Argentina and for all Argentinians, wherever it is they are or reside. Long live our Homeland! Thank you very much!

After the ambassador's speech, the guests got engaged in lively conversations in the cool greenery of the garden.

The photos are provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Argentina to the Republic of Bulgaria.

Above: H. E. Mr. Alfredo Nestor Atanasoff, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Argentina to Bulgaria and Mrs. Rositsa Kirova, Vice President to the National Assembly

Below: H. E. Mr. Alfredo Nestor Atanasoff with the Deputy Prime Minister and minister of the internal affairs Mr. Ivan Demerdzhiev; with H. E. Mrs. Maria Edileuza Fontenele Reis, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Republic of Bulgaria; with the head of "N. Y. Vaptsarov" Naval Academy - flotilla admiral Prof. D.M.Sc. Boyan Mednikarov and the director of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute Prof. Hristo Pimpirev; with other guests.