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presentation of the film and the book “Testament, my father’s letters” by prof. minko balkanski

We are delighted to invite all members of the Balkanski-Panitza Institute for Advanced Studies to the presentation of the and the premiere of the short documentary movie and book “Testament, My Father’s Letters” by Prof. Minko Balkanski on April 29, 2022, at 18:00 at “Peroto” Literary Club, at the National Palace of Culture, Sofia.

The event will be led by Prof. Balkanski himself and will be part of the celebrations for his upcoming 95th birthday.

Born on 24 July 1927 in the village of Oryahovitsa, Stara Zagora, Minko Balkanski graduated from high school at the fragile age of 15 and after two more years at Sofia University, he left Bulgaria to go to France to continue his studies. Prof. Minko Balkanski and his father separate when Minko, who is only 17 years old then, leaves to pursue studies in France. The two never see each other again. Yet, a lively correspondence between them maintains their relationship for years afterwards.

After Prof. Balkanski left for France, every morning, his father Minyu would open a sheet of paper and sit down and write a letter to his son. In fact, his letters were like a diary – regular, and faithful, with his thoughts constantly directed towards his son, whom he wished, above all else, to provide guidance and support.

In a period of ten years, Prof. Balkansky received more than three thousand letters. When this flow stopped like a treasure, his father’s letters were locked away and kept safely. “Testament, My Father’s Letters”, is a collection of some of these letters.

Join us for this moving event, and meet Prof. Balkanski, who will tell us this story first-hand. More information about the event, is available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1160044174829813/

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