On 12 June, H.E. Mrs. Natasha Bergelj, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Bulgaria,

hosted a reception at her residence to mark Slovenia's National Day. The celebration of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Slovenia and the 35th anniversary of the country's declaration of independence was attended by senior representatives of Bulgarian institutions, members of the diplomatic corps, friends of Slovenia, and members of the Slovenian community in Bulgaria.

A special highlight of the evening was the beautiful performance of the national anthems of Slovenia and Bulgaria, as well as the European Anthem, by Slovenian singer Maruša Malec. Moments such as these serve as a reminder of the enduring friendship, close cooperation, and strong people-to-people ties between Slovenia and Bulgaria.

For H.E. Mrs. Natasha Bergelj, the occasion also carried a personal significance, as her diplomatic mandate is coming to an end and this was her final reception in Bulgaria marking Slovenia's Statehood Day. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who had been part of the many initiatives, partnerships, and friendships established throughout her tenure, adding:

"It has been an honour to represent Slovenia in this wonderful country."

Photos: Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Bulgaria.