The first Asian Cultural Festival was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, with the presence of the Vice President of Bulgaria, and among the welcoming of visitors from the Iranian calligraphy art. 

According to the Public Relations of Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, the International Asian Festival in Bulgaria entitled "Asia Close-up" was opened with the speech of Iliana Iotova, the Vice President of Bulgaria, and with the participation of ambassadors, cultural attachés and foreign diplomats living in Sofia, including Mohammad Ali Kiani, the Iranian cultural attaché in Bulgaria and in the presence of more than five thousand people of Sofia.  

The festival was held in the big Borisova Park with the support of the Ministries of Tourism and Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, the Municipality of Sofia, and in cooperation with the head of Asian Countries Group.

At the beginning of the opening ceremony of this festival, Sri Astari Rasjid, the Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria and the head of Asian Diplomatic Group, stated: "This type of ceremonies and festivals show that the Bulgarian community is multi-cultural and accepts Asian culture with an open vision".

She added: "In this festival, Asian countries have exposed their culture, art, historical monuments and traditional foods to the view of culture lovers".

In the opening ceremony, appreciating the presence of countries that organized the Asian Culture Festival, Iliana Iotova, the Vice President of Bulgaria, stated: "Asian countries will always have the support of the Presidential Administration of Bulgaria".

The Vice President of Bulgaria emphasized: "We can feel the spirit of art and culture of these countries in the exhibition and pavilions of this festival".

Iliana Iotova continued: "I sincerely thank all friend countries, including India, China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Pakistan, Palestine, South Korea, Philippines, Syria, Vietnam and Thailand for the establishment of this festival with their cooperation".

The Vice President of Bulgaria also stated: "The Presidential Administration of Bulgaria will always support these programs as we will be able to introduce the culture of countries with whom we have very good political relations to the people of Bulgaria".

In addition, Mohammad Ali Kiani, the Iranian cultural attaché in Bulgaria in an interview stated that the Cultural Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran participated in this International Festival by the establishment of a pavilion and workshop to introduce the rich Iranian culture and art to those who are interested in Iran.

The Iranian cultural attaché in Bulgaria stated: "In the Iranian pavilion a Calligraphy Art Workshop was established for Persian language and Iranology students by master Reza Sheikh Baiglou, from the Islamic Center of Berlin, traditional foods were introduced, handicrafts workshop and handicrafts exhibition, Persian language teaching, the exhibition of books and photos with the topic of historical and tourist places of Iran were exposed to public view that were welcomed by the Vice President of Bulgaria and her accompanying delegation".

Stating that the Vice President of Bulgaria in her visit to the Iranian pavilion said that Bulgarian people are familiar with the thousands-year history of Iran, the Iranian cultural attaché added: "When the Vice President of Bulgaria was visiting the Iranian pavilion, her name which was written by master Reza Sheikh Baiglou in Persian language with the Iranian calligraphy art was given to her which made her happy and surprised".

According to this report, this one-day International Festival was held on Sunday, (July 2) from 9 am to 22 pm in the big Borisova Park, Sofia. On the sidelines of this exhibition, a few pigeons of peace and friendship were released  in the open air of the Borisov Garden by the ambassadors and cultural attachés and foreign diplomats living in Sofia and the vice president of Bulgaria.